A significant number of ethnic Armenian inhabitants have left Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan assumed control of the contentious region last week.
Over 6,500 individuals have taken refuge in Armenia from the territory, predominantly home to approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians. This exodus was prompted by the Armenian government’s decision to evacuate those displaced due to conflict.
Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, cautioned about potential ethnic cleansing in the region, expressing disappointment over the international community’s limited response.
While Azerbaijan expresses its intention to assimilate these ethnic Armenians as equal citizens, tensions remain high. An incident in Stepanakert, Karabakh’s primary city, resulted in an explosion at a fuel station, injuring over 200 people, according to local human rights advocate, Gegham Stepanyan. The cause of the explosion remains uncertain.
Reports highlight congested traffic at the Armenian border as many attempt to flee. Refugees reaching Goris, a city near the border, shared harrowing tales of their displacement. For some, this is a recurring nightmare, having been previously displaced during the 2020 conflict.
Public areas in Goris are swamped, with the local theatre now serving as a Red Cross hub. Medical professionals in the city report treating refugees who are physically and mentally distressed.
Many refugees are skeptical about their safety under Azerbaijani governance and are doubtful about returning to their homes. The Armenian government is making efforts to accommodate them, stating plans to care for up to 40,000 refugees.
Meanwhile, political unrest ensues in Yerevan, with over 140 individuals detained after anti-government demonstrations. These protests were initiated due to perceived governmental mishandling of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis.
Following a rapid military campaign by Azerbaijan, Armenian separatist forces agreed to disarm. Armenia contends that any mass departure from the region would be attributable to Azerbaijani actions.
David Babayan, an advisor to the Nagorno-Karabakh ethnic Armenian leadership, believes that the majority of the population would prefer to leave their ancestral lands rather than live under Azerbaijani rule.
Internationally, Nagorno-Karabakh is acknowledged as Azerbaijani territory but has been governed by ethnic Armenians for the past thirty years, with support from Armenia and its ally, Russia.
Azerbaijan’s recent military intervention resulted in the death of several Russian peacekeepers, ethnic Armenians, and Azerbaijani soldiers. Concerns grow for the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, as limited aid reaches them and many lack basic necessities.
This evolving situation remains a pressing concern in the South Caucasus region, with the fate of thousands hanging in the balance.
