Armenia continues to face an influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, despite assurances from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that Armenians’ rights will be guaranteed. As the situation remains unstable in the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Azerbaijan to discuss the situation with his Azerbaijani counterpart.
Erdogan’s visit takes on symbolic importance, as Azerbaijan has launched a lightning offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, a region predominantly populated by Armenians and attached to Azerbaijan since the 1990s. Erdogan called on Armenia to grasp the outstretched hand in a peaceful manner, while Aliyev assured that the rights of Armenians would be respected.
However, despite these assurances, many residents of Nagorno-Karabakh fled to Armenia to escape the fighting. Thousands of refugees have flocked to Armenia, creating a worrying humanitarian situation. Separatist authorities also reported a fuel depot explosion that injured more than 200 people and requested outside assistance to deal with the disaster.
This crisis raises concerns at the international level. The United States expressed concern for the fate of Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and discussed sending an international mission to ensure transparency and reassure the region’s populations. The European Union also plans to meet with representatives of the two former Soviet republics to discuss the situation.
Meanwhile, in Armenia, protests continue against the inaction of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in the face of the Azerbaijani offensive. Protesters are demanding stronger measures and a rapid resolution to the conflict.
As the situation remains tense, it is crucial to find a peaceful and lasting solution to this regional conflict. The rights and safety of all residents, regardless of ethnicity, must be respected. The international community must continue to work together to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to refugees in need.