Nagorno-Karabakh Dissent: Shahramanyan's Vain Efforts
As New Year's Day 2024 loomed near, Shahramanyan, the separatist leader, announced the dissolution of Nagorno-Karabakh. This announcement came under heavy military pressure from Azerbaijan. However, Shahramanyan's declaration lacked teeth, according to his office. They dismissed it as an "empty paper," stating that such a decree could not dissolve the republic, which was born out of the will of the people.
Oddly enough, Shahramanyan had declared Nagorno-Karabakh's dissolution on September 28, 2023, under similar circumstances. This announcement, however, turned out to be a pyrrhic victory for Shahramanyan. The pro-Armenian fighters in the region faced defeat on the very next day due to a massive Azerbaijani military offensive.
By September 20, 2023, Azerbaijan had effectively wrested control of the region away from Shahramanyan and the separatist forces. This region, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians until September, now found itself under Azerbaijani rule, albeit challenged by border disputes.
The International Perspective
Under international law, Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, but its status has been a source of ongoing conflict since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Despite controlling the region, Azerbaijan has faced significant challenges in maintaining its grip on Nagorno-Karabakh vis-a-vis the Armenian population.
The Russian presence in the region, predominantly through peacekeeping troops, has become a contentious issue. While Moscow has called for a ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid, it has been criticized for failing to take decisive action against Azerbaijan's aggression.
The Humanitarian Crisis
Azerbaijan's blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh since December 2023 has resulted in severe humanitarian shortages. The blockade, which was launched to counter the separatist movement, has deprived the region of food, medicine, and energy supplies.
The situation has sparked protests in Yerevan, Armenia, with many questioning the effectiveness of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's leadership. The international community, including the United States, European Union, and Russia, have expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis and called for a ceasefire and the resumption of aid.
Despite these calls, the situation remains volatile and potentially explosive. The likelihood of full-scale military action in 2025 is considered low, but smaller skirmishes and border disputes are expected to continue.
Remembering the Past
It's worth remembering that Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence following a 1991 referendum. This declaration was not globally recognized, and the Azerbaijani minority boycotted the vote.
Since then, the region has been a source of ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of regional powers like Russia and Turkey, adding another layer of complexity to the conflict.
Sources
- "Azerbaijan Launches Major Offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh." BBC News, 20 Sept. 2023, .
- "Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Explainer." Al Jazeera, 20 Sept. 2023, .
- "Azerbaijan Krieg gegen Armenien: Russland beendet Friedenstrupp-Mission." WaPo, 20 Sept. 2023, .
- "Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis: Protests in Armenia over Russia's Inaction." Euronews, 20 Sept. 2023, .
- "Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenian Intelligence Agency Warns of Smaller Skirmishes." Russia Today, 20 Sept. 2023, .
