1. What led to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh standoff?
On September 20, 2023, Azerbaijan claimed full control of Nagorno-Karabakh after local Armenian forces agreed to disarm and disband. This development marked a resolution to the long-standing conflict.
2. What is the history of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh?
The conflict dates back a century to World War I when the Ottomans, aided by Azeris, targeted ethnic Armenians in the South Caucasus. The conflict escalated in 1920, incorporating Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan. After the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, the region saw a full-scale war until a ceasefire brokered by Russia in 1994.
3. What happened in 2020 regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
In 2020, Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev, launched an offensive to retake Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in a six-week-long war with Armenia. Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey, reclaimed 40% of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia brokered a ceasefire, but Azerbaijan continued efforts to capture the region.
4. How did Azerbaijan capture Nagorno-Karabakh?
Experts suggest that Turkey played a significant role in the conflict. While Turkey denied direct involvement, it was a political and military supporter of Azerbaijan. Russia's limited involvement was due to its focus on the war in Ukraine, which strained its relationship with Armenia.
5. What are the implications of the resolution for the region?
The resolution led to a mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, triggering a humanitarian crisis. The blockade of the Lachin Corridor added to the region's economic challenges. The situation underscores the complex geopolitics of the South Caucasus region.
