Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has recently been the scene of tensions and violent conflicts. As the self-proclaimed separatist Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh was dissolved, Russia, which had deployed peacekeeping forces in the region since 2020, announced that it would decide with Azerbaijan on the future of its mission .
This deployment of peacekeepers was sponsored by Russia after a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. However, despite the presence of these forces, Azerbaijan launched an offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, achieving a quick victory. This situation caused a massive exodus of Armenian inhabitants from the territory.
According to the latest statistics, almost 93,000 people, more than three-quarters of the official population of Nagorno-Karabakh, have left their homes. Armenians fear reprisals from Azerbaijan, due to historical tensions between the two countries.
This exodus continues as the self-proclaimed separatist republic announced its dissolution, thus signaling the end of the existence of the “Republic of Nagorno Karabakh”. The inhabitants are fleeing on the only mountainous road linking the territory to Armenia, but this flight is not without danger. A fuel depot recently exploded, killing at least 170 people.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is worrying and raises questions about the future of the region and its population. Russia’s decision on its peacekeeping mission will be decisive for the future stability of the region. In the meantime, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to live in fear and uncertainty, as their history and future hang in the balance.