We Need to Talk About Nagorno-Karabakh
For decades there have been disputes over the territory now known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Last Sunday there were reports of attacks late at night, since then the conflict has escalated with both sides taking up arms.
While few people are taking note of the issue outside of Armenia, I think we who live far away from the horrors of armed conflict owe it to those who suffer from it to understand what is happening. So here is a crash course in the significance of Nagorno-Karabakh, the conflict, and the events this week:
Why is Nagorno-Karabakh disputed?
The region is made up of ethnic Armenians, who have inhabited the region for centuries. The mountainous enclave that stretches over 4000km was first placed under Azerbaijani control during the establishment of the Soviet Union. There was no concern at the time for the actual ownership of the lands and under Stalin’s rule few openly contradicted the decision.
When the era of Soviet oppression began to come to an end, the majority Armenian region began to call out for their independence or a return to Armenia. But these cries fell on deaf ears and the region remains internationally recognized as under Azerbaijani control to this day. In spite of that, the region has operated independently with heavy Armenian support after a series of ethnic conflicts and full-blown wars that took place in the 90s.
The most notable of which is what occurred in 1992, a year after the region declared itself as an independent state. Though that independence is not supported by any UN member state (including Armenia) The war in 1992 ended in Armenia ceasing full control over the region. 2 years and approximately 30,000 lives later, the two nations signed a ceasefire.
This however did not guarantee peace. There have been consistent attacks made on the border as Azerbaijan still holds out hope that they will regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas.
The region remained in a stunted and perpetual state of conflict.
What happened this week?
Attacks began anew on Sunday the 27th of September as reports of fighting erupted, these reports continued well into Monday and Tuesday. Both sides accuse the other of beginning this renewed violence and casualty estimates continue to rise as the fighting continues.
Fighting broke out late Sunday night and many Armenian villages have been under martial law since then. While Armenia is said to have been the first to fire, many view Azerbaijan as the original aggressor, especially after the events of this summer. In early July the nation began to encroach on the Tavush region of Armenia to little success. Their past attempts have failed to gain them greater footing on Armenian territory, and these latest battles seem to be an extension of this attempt. The President even reaffirmed his confidence that they will regain control of the region after the most recent attacks.
The conflict entered its fourth day on Wednesday. With estimates of casualties and injuries among Karabakh soldiers as high as 2,3000 since the fighting began on Sunday. Wednesday also saw the largest eruptions since the 1994 ceasefire, stoking many fears that this might fully reignite the conflict.
On Thursday attacks have begun to encroach on civilian territory on both sides, even expanding beyond the contested region. Armenia’s president said that the air force shot down drones near the capital, Yerevan. This attempt is the furthest one away from the contested region.
Current reports put the confirmed death toll on the Armenian side at 104 soldiers with 23 civilians. While there are no independently or nationally certified numbers for the other side, regional authorities claimed that Azerbaijan has lost 130 soldiers since Sunday.
The violence is escalating daily and reactions from the international community have been less than ideal.
How has the world reacted?
This move from Azerbaijan is in direct insubordination and defiance of the ceasefire instituted by the United Nations Security Council. But responses to the conflict and fighting from the council has been lukewarm.
On Tuesday, the 29th of September, the Security Council met to discuss the conflict and called for an “immediate end”. But this rhetoric in words alone is useless when the Security Council has many other tools at their disposal. Many Armenians have taken to social media to call out this weak and haphazard response offered by the UN.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Turkey is actively supporting their Azerbaijani brothers. This builds on a strong devotion to their well documented anti-Armenian rhetoric. Erdogan has made it clear that he is vying for an expansion of power within the region, so his support of Azerbaijan’s weak claim to the territory is well reasoned.
There are many rumors that Turkey will be sending in a private military bolstered by members of Syrian rebel groups, to fight with Azerbaijani forces already present on the ground. Though Turkey has said they are not responsible and their support of Azerbaijan only extends to military training and advice
Erdogan’s outspoken support strikes fear in the hearts of many Armenians. Sparking concerns that he will use this burgeoning war as a way to slaughter the ethnic Armenians present in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Meanwhile, Armenian forces which are made up primarily of young 18, 19 and 20-year-olds fulfilling their mandatory service requirements have had no tactical support. On Wednesday, France stated their support for Armenia. Meanwhile, Russia, who has a military base in the post-soviet nation has instead called for an immediate ceasefire but remained inactive. Many international organizations have called for peace talks but were rejected by both sides.
What does this mean for Armenia?
Honestly, no one has an answer to this. At least not one that perfectly reflects the future of the country. There are so many variables. But what this means for Armenians today, tomorrow and at the end of this conflict is a loss of life, the loss of a generation even.
This is about more than just Nagorno-Karabakh, it is about the future of this entire nation. Turkey has called them aggressors and their troops mercenaries and terrorists, yet they are just trying to defend their land and their people. Especially as the attacks from Azerbaijan begin to encroach on internationally recognised Armenian territory, the threats feel more and more existential for the Armenian people.
I am scared, heartbroken, and sorry. There is very little to be done on a personal level but I implore you to keep learning about the conflict, keep watching what is happening, keep teaching others. Being able to watch what is happening and talk about it like this is the definition of privilege. And as those with the supremely enviable position of not having any stake in this battle we need to use the methods we have to spark change and spread awareness.
To my Armenian friends,
I am sorry - so deeply sorry. I’m sorry that the world around you is fading away, being shattered with every new attack. I am sorry that your neighbor refuses to let a new generation pave a way for peace, and has instead chosen to inundate you with bloodshed and hatred of warfare. But above all, I am sorry that your friends and family are dying to defend their country and the rest of us even have the option of ignorance.
We here at the Whorticulturalist encourage you to get involved and learn more. Here are resources you can use to further educate yourself and some Instagram pages you can repost to spread the message of Armenians on the ground:
Al Jezeera has been giving almost hourly updates on the conflict, we encourage you to keep up to date with all that is happening on the ground with them.
Zartonkmedia is an Armenian run Instagram page that provides consistent daily updates on the fighting.
Amplify Armenia is an Armenian run Instagram page that aims to be a safe space for Armenians to speak out and educate others.
Amplify Armenia is also collecting donations to provide aid to civilians who have been displaced by the recent fighting, we encourage you to donate if you can.
If you are American, or from a NATO country at all, please reach out to your representatives. Many countries have been accused of supplying Azerbaijan with arms, most notably the United States, but many stand to gain financially from this conflict. Email, call, and sign petitions, and get these countries to stop fueling the conflict.
Hayley is an emerging writer and journalist who works hard to create work that is fiercely feminist, anti racist and anti oppression on a whole. You can check out more of her work and content on her instagram @hayley.headley