Explainer: Why are Azerbaijan & Armenia fighting?

Azerbaijan launched an offensive campaign against separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh.

| Updated: 22 September, 2023 11:31 am IST
Azerbaijan campaign in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh

For months, Azerbaijan and Armenia area fighting for control over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier this week, Azerbaijan launched an offensive campaign against separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh, shelling the capital region of Stepanakert. On Wednesday, separatists surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is a long-standing one, dating back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it has an ethnic Armenian majority and is backed by Armenia. A war over the region in the early 1990s ended with a ceasefire, but tensions have remained high ever since.

READ MORE: Azerbaijan shells breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh

Recent developments

In December 2022, Azerbaijan imposed a blockade on the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. This has caused a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, with residents facing shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods.

The shelling campaign that began on Monday is the latest escalation in the conflict. Azerbaijan has accused the Karabakh military of staging a provocation, but the Karabakh government has denied this.

Peace talks

Peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenian separatists are scheduled to be held in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, on Thursday. The talks will be mediated by Russian peacekeepers.

Implications

The renewed fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh is a major concern for the international community. The region is located in a strategic area, bordering Iran and Turkey. A wider conflict could destabilize the region and draw in other countries.

The shelling campaign has also raised concerns about the safety of civilians. The UN Security Council has called for an emergency session on the conflict, and the United States and other countries have urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from further violence.

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What to watch next

It remains to be seen whether the ceasefire will hold. Both sides have accused each other of violating previous ceasefires. It is also unclear whether the peace talks will be successful.

It is important to note that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is complex, with a long and difficult history. There is no easy solution, and any resolution will require compromise from both sides.

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