The exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan attacked the breakaway region on September 19 has raised questions about the future of the enclave. Nazeli Baghdasaryan, press secretary to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said 21,076 vehicles had crossed the Hakari Bridge, which connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, since last week. The bridge has become clogged with people fleeing the region, which had a population of about 120,000 before Azerbaijan reclaimed it in a lightning offensive last week.
Pashinyan has described the exodus as “a direct act of ethnic cleansing and depriving people of their homeland.” But Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry firmly rejected this definition, saying that mass migration by the region’s residents was “their personal and individual decision and has nothing to do with forced relocation.”
The arrests of the former foreign minister of the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh and the former head of the separatist government, State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, appear to reflect Azerbaijan’s intention to quickly tighten its grip on the region.
The six-week war in 2020 saw Azerbaijan retake parts of the region in the South Caucasus Mountains along with surrounding territory that Armenian forces had previously claimed. Azerbaijan then blocked the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, accusing the Armenian government of using it for illicit shipments of weapons to separatist forces in the region.
Weakened by the blockade and with the Armenian leadership distancing itself from the conflict, ethnic Armenian forces in the region agreed to lay down their arms less than 24 hours after Azerbaijan’s offensive began. Talks have begun between officials in the Azerbaijani capital Baku and separatist authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh on the “reintegration” of the region into Azerbaijan.
The departure of more than 80% of Nagorno-Karabakh’s population has left many wondering what Azerbaijan’s plans for the enclave are. The region’s Armenian separatist government has said it will dissolve by the end of the year after a three-decade attempt at independence.
Most Armenians have fled the region because they do not trust Azerbaijani authorities to treat them humanely or grant them their language, religion and culture. Over three decades of conflict in the region, Azerbaijan and Armenia-backed separatists have accused each other of targeted attacks, massacres and other atrocities, leaving people on both sides deeply suspicious and fearful.
Wow, cant believe people are leaving Nagorno-Karabakh! Is it really that bad? 🤔
Its not about leaving, its about fleeing for their lives. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is beyond bad. Its a full-blown war zone with civilians caught in the crossfire. Educate yourself before you make ignorant comments.
Wow, so many people leaving Nagorno-Karabakh? I wonder if they found better Wi-Fi somewhere else!
Seriously? People are being displaced from their homes, and youre joking about Wi-Fi? Have some empathy and think before you comment. This is a humanitarian crisis, not a tech upgrade.
Wow, this whole Nagorno-Karabakh situation is really getting out of hand. I cant help but wonder, why dont they just hug it out? 🤷♀️
Are you serious? Hugging it out? This conflict has deep-rooted historical, political, and territorial issues. Its not something that can be resolved with a simple hug. Maybe try educating yourself on the complexities before suggesting such naive solutions.
Wow, cant believe people are leaving Nagorno-Karabakh! Is it really as bad as they say? 🤔