Aware Armenians traverse "the recent route" en route to Karabakh with caution
In the Caucasus region, a new road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh has recently opened, yet it's been shrouded in geopolitical tension. A protracted land blockade by Azerbaijan has been causing a significant impact on the lives of approximately 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding fuel to longstanding ethnic tensions in the region.
The new route, ostensibly "just a road, not a corridor," was constructed primarily by Azerbaijan following the 2020 ceasefire. It now stands as the sole route connecting Armenia and this disputed territory, replacing the old, potholed road that traversed the Lachin region. Concerns about the road's safety, particularly during the harsh winter months, have been raised by residents and traveling drivers.
The road's steep inclines, sharp turns, and narrow width have been met with skepticism. One concerned taxi driver observed, "The slopes are sharper and longer, and it's not wide enough." Some have even expressed fear that their ordinary cars might not manage during winter, and that a new vehicle with four-wheel drive might be required.
Alongside the safety concerns, there have been reports of overt signs of Azerbaijani military presence near the new road. A military post reportedly has not been moved as the road was being constructed, raising further uncertainty. A local community leader has accused Azerbaijani soldiers of dropping rocks onto passing vehicles, though this has not been independently confirmed.
Ethnic tensions remain palpable, with Azerbaijan threatening to open a corridor by force[4][5] and Armenia insisting on maintaining border checks in any potential agreement[4][5]. The ongoing negotiations over the Zangezur Corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan's Nakhichevan exclave to the rest of Azerbaijan through Armenian territory, are central to the peace talks between the two countries.
Negotiating the status and arrangements of this proposed corridor, and resolving broader disputes such as these, carries significant consequences:- A successful resolution could usher in a peace agreement, easing tensions and improving safety across the region.- Persisting conflicts could escalate further, potentially resulting in military action and exacerbated ethnic tensions.- The continued blockade risk poses serious humanitarian challenges for the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.For now, these tensions simmer beneath the surface, complicating peace negotiations and raising safety concerns for those navigating the new road between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
- The opening of the new road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, amidst geopolitical tension, has sparked concerns about safety, especially during harsh winter months, due to its steep inclines, sharp turns, and narrow width.
- Amidst the ongoing negotiations over the Zangezur Corridor, war-and-conflicts remain a possibility, as Azerbaijan threatens to open a corridor by force and Armenia insists on maintaining border checks, potentially escalating ethnic tensions and creating humanitarian challenges for the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.
- The general-news media are closely monitoring war-and-conflicts developments in the Caucasus region, where political disputes and tensions around the new road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are escalating, with reports of overt signs of Azerbaijani military presence, adding to the general uncertainty and complicating peace negotiations.
