Border villagers in Karabakh face uncertain and risky prospects for the future.
Living in the heart of ongoing tension, the Parukh-Karaglukh region is a reflection of the continuous dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, particularly over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Here's a snapshot of the region's situation:
On the Front Lines
Azerbaijani troops moved into strategic heights in Parukh-Karaglukh, causing outmost fear and uncertainty among the locals. Life there has returned to a semblance of normalcy, but the precarious situation still looms. Almost all residents of surrounding villages fled during the Azerbaijani advance, but most are slowly returning.
Mikayel Balayan and his family are among the few who stayed in Khramort village during combat, witnessing the Azerbaijanis' withdrawal and the shifting of new positions. With the front lines moving closer, it's risky to graze their livestock without constant vigilance. Local residents express concerns about the protection of their farms, livestock, and even their cemeteries.
A Contested Territory
Parukh and Karaglukh, while under the boundaries of the former Autonomous Oblast of Nagorno-Karabakh, lie near Aghdam. According to the 2020 ceasefire agreement, both these regions should be under the control of the Russian peacekeeping force. However, the sustained presence of Azerbaijani troops in the area presents a challenge to this arrangement.
Clashes and Whispers of Deals
Residents have varying explanations for the clashes, from speculated agreements between various powers to secret deals between local authorities and Azerbaijanis. Amid intimidation campaigns, many residents have been forced to leave their homes. The Russian peacekeepers have yet to enable the return of former residents to Parukh, causing lingering anxiety and uncertainty.
Challenges Ahead
Life in the Parukh-Karaglukh region remains precarious. Residents depend on support from local authorities and aid organizations to meet their basic needs while living with the constant threat of violence. With sporadic tensions along the border, a lasting peace and resolution to the broader conflict is essential to secure a better future for the people living in this disputed territory.
- The ongoing tension in the Parukh-Karaglukh region, not just a political issue, also impacts the culture and general-news of the community, causing uncertainty and fear among locals even when life seems to return to normal.
- Amidst the chaos, basic needs such as food and education remain a concern for the residents of the Parukh-Karaglukh region, with many depending on aid organizations for subsistence.
- The Parukh-Karaglukh region, being a contested territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is not just a hotspot for politics and crime-and-justice, but also for science, as geological findings in the area could potentially fuel further disputes over resources.
- The sports community in the Parukh-Karaglukh region has been deeply affected by the instability, with many athletes and sports facilities suffering due to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the need for a resolution to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all.
