Following Azerbaijan’s rapid military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, over 28,000 out of 120,000 ethnic Armenians have fled to neighbouring Armenia. This departure is one of the largest population movements in the South Caucasus since the Soviet Union’s dissolution.
Details and Concerns
The recent Azerbaijani advance follows the two nations’ decades-long contention over the enclave, with significant territorial gains made by Azerbaijan around Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The situation worsened with an explosion at a fuel depot in the region, leading to dozens of casualties.
The Armenians from Karabakh fear ethnic persecution and express unwillingness to live under Azerbaijani rule. However, Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, assures respect for Armenians’ rights while emphasizing that the idea of an independent ethnic Armenian Karabakh is in the past.
The crisis has impacted international alliances, with Armenia’s ties with Russia showing strain and the U.S. reinforcing its support for Armenia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for Azerbaijan to prevent further hostilities and ensure humanitarian access to the affected region.
