On September 19, Azerbaijani forces initiated an assault on the Nagorno Karabakh using artillery and drones, framing it as an “antiterror” operation. The recent conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed enclave within Azerbaijan claimed by Armenia, unfolded with unexpected swiftness. Remarkably, within a mere 24 hours, the Karabakh Armenians, conceded, granting effective control of the region to Azerbaijan.
Fall of the Government
On Thursday, the government of Nagorno-Karabakh declared its decision to dissolve, signaling the imminent cessation of the unrecognized republic by the year’s end.
In three decades of conflict in the region, both Azerbaijan and the separatists within Nagorno-Karabakh, backed by Armenia, have traded accusations of targeted attacks, massacres, and other atrocities. This has bred a profound sense of suspicion and fear among people on both sides.
The region’s President, Samvel Shakhramanyan, formalized the dissolution through a signed decree. The document referenced a recent agreement aimed at ending hostilities. Per the terms of the agreement, Azerbaijan committed to facilitating the “free, voluntary, and unhindered movement” of Nagorno-Karabakh residents. In return, there was an obligation to disarm troops in Armenia.
Mass Exodus
Despite Azerbaijan’s assurances to uphold the rights of ethnic Armenians in the region, a significant number are choosing to leave. The prevailing sentiment is rooted in a lack of confidence that Azerbaijani authorities will treat them justly and with humanity, or provide guarantees for their language, religion, and culture. As a result, many ethnic Armenians are opting to flee, driven by concerns about the protection of their fundamental identity and rights.
Armenian officials reported that a significant portion, more than 80 percent population had sought refuge in Armenia. The mass departure caused a substantial influx of vehicles on the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, resulting in traffic jams that persisted for hours.
Prominent Names Got Detained
Azerbaijani authorities officially charged Ruben Vardanyan, the former head of Nagorno-Karabakh’s government, with multiple offences including financing terrorism, creating illegal armed formations, and illegally crossing a state border. The charges came after Vardanyan, a billionaire with a business background in Russia, was detained by Azerbaijani border guards a day earlier. The arrest occurred as he attempted to leave Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia, amidst a large group of individuals.
Vardanyan has been placed in pretrial detention for a minimum of four months and could potentially face a prison term of up to 14 years. This move is seen as a clear indication of Azerbaijan’s swift efforts to establish control over the region.
David Babayan, who served as Nagorno-Karabakh’s former foreign minister and currently a presidential adviser, announced on Thursday his intention to surrender to Azerbaijani authorities. He has been ordered to face an investigation in Baku. This series of events underscores Azerbaijan’s determination to assert its authority in the aftermath of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Role of UN
Kavita Belani, the UNHCR representative in Armenia, expressed deep concern during a news conference regarding the swiftly unfolding humanitarian crisis in the country. Within a span of less than a week, the refugee agency has reported over 95000 arrivals, highlighting the urgency and scale of the situation.
“UNHCR teams have been on the ground and at the border since day one when the first groups of refugees arrived exhausted, frightened, and apprehensive about the future.”
“They have been living under blockade for the past nine months. They do not know what will happen to their fled homes and whether they will return.”
“There are no recorded incidences of mistreatment,”
“The long and the tiring journey, and the congestion is difficult for people. Nobody shared instances of being harassed.”
“Most arrived with very few belongings and require urgent emergency assistance, including blankets, bedding materials, medical and psychosocial support, and shelter in the immediate term,” said Belani.
She said the Armenian government is registering refugees at border registration centres, and there are around 10 additional humanitarian centres in other regions.
“The authorities are providing temporary accommodation to new arrivals with no relatives in Armenia, including in hotels, social centers and schools. However, with such huge numbers of arrivals in a short time, additional emergency centres are urgently needed,” she said.
A number of individuals seeking refuge had extremely limited time to pack their belongings before departing, utilizing various means such as cars, buses, and construction trucks. Although many of these refugees conveyed a sense of relief upon arriving in Armenia from Azerbaijan.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) noted that they continue to grapple with trauma and uncertainty about what lies ahead for them in the future.
“The priority of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in recent days has been on life-saving activities, including the transfer of the wounded to hospitals into Armenia for treatment and bringing in medical supplies,” said Carlos Morazzani, ICRC Operations Manager.
“Over the past week we have transferred around 130 people for medical care and after the explosion…we increased our engagement with all regional authorities.”
Dive into stories from all around the world. Your go-to source for well-rounded perspectives and the stories behind the headlines. Stay informed, and stay engaged with Global Stories.