Understanding The Second Armenian Genocide
Disclaimer: This article is heavily biased in favor of Armenia. It does not effectively represent the plight of the Azeri people. For personal reasons, I am not capable of doing that. If you would like to seek out information from the Azerbaijani perspective, feel free to check out this source: https://www.dailysabah.com/
It has been just over a month since fighting first broke out in Artsakh (aka Nagorno-Karabakh). Since then, the region has seen even more violent attacks on civilian populations and was declared to be going through a genocide. There is so much to say about what has been happening and what hope there is for the future. The following is a semi-comprehensive round-up of some of the most significant events of the past month.
In the second week of fighting, there were reports of Turkish and Israeli artillery being used to fire on Artsakh. As the conflict continues, more and more reports are being found to prove that the same nations calling out for a ceasefire are fueling the war with weapons. Israel has historically been Azerbaijan’s biggest arms dealer (surpassing even Russia), and they show no signs of slowing down. Despite Armenian descent, they have reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling their billion-dollar arms deal with the nation.
Syrian boots hit the ground in the second week of the fighting, as Turkey’s bought and paid for rebel troops were deployed. Turkey has been using Syrian mercenaries for a while now, recruiting them to fight wars in Libya. Using poverty as a recruitment tactic, they have been able to supply their allies in Baku with the manpower they need to keep this war going.
Coming off of those reports’ heels, members of the Dutch Parliament called for action to aid Armenia in the war. In early October, MPs signed a resolution that condemned Azerbaijan and called for the government to bring this issue to a conclusion at this year’s EU summit.
Similarly, in opposition to Azeri oppression, Greek politicians have been leading the charge in the EU parliament to condemn President Aliyev. They have been pushing to revoke all visas for Azeris in Europe with diplomatic passports - essentially sending all the politicians, foreign ministers, and diplomats currently residing within the Schengen/EU area back home.
Nothing has come of these pushes for further action.
The fighting has spilled over into civilian settlements on both sides. Armenia attacked the Azeri city of Ganga; this comes as a presumably reactionary move to the attacks on similarly populated regions by Azeri forces. Not to mention the attempt to strike the capital, which occurred in just the first week of the conflict.
Since the first week of fighting, Russia, France, and the United States have all negotiated three separate peace deals. Humanitarian Ceasefires are generally agreed upon by two parties that are brought to the table by a third party. Often, as in Artsakh, this third party has a vested interest in the conflict, whether monetary or military.
After two failed attempts at establishing this tentative peace, the US brought the two nations back to the table. They established a ceasefire that went into effect Monday morning and was promptly broken as Azeri forces continued to shell military positions in Artsakh.
This came as, over the weekend, Genocide Watch declared a genocide emergency in the Artsakh region. Fear that this war may turn into a genocide is not new, but what the GW says that a genocide is underway. What does that mean?
Genocide is defined in the second article of the Genocide Convention as:
The performance of these acts with “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group:
Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”
Not every war can be declared genocidal, but the war in Artsakh is notable for various reasons.
Number one is that Turkey has used the mislead of war to do this in the past. In 1915 the first Armenian genocide took place, and Turkey utilized the distraction of World War 1 to commit these heinous acts in secret. Turkey’s heavy involvement in this war had always sparked fear since the early days of the war. Those fears are now being realized in the worst way imaginable.
Genocide Watch recognizes 10 stages of genocide. If you are familiar with political theory, they resemble Allport’s scale of prejudice and discrimination. The organization says that the situation in Artsakh is close to approaching the most advanced stage. If we don’t act now, the world will give Turkey and Azerbaijan all they need to pretend this never happened.
Turkey got away with the genocide of 1915, and Erdogan pledged to do it again. The prime minister has said that the nation is a continuation of the Ottoman empire. An era of Turkish history characterized, at least in part, by genocide and imperialism. He is committed to returning Turkey to its former glory, one which begins with the murder of Armenians for their territory.
When the United Nations was formed, the world said they wouldn’t stand idly by and let another genocide happen again. Yet, in the face of an active threat, the West is silent; the UN is silent.
As Azeri airstrikes encroach further on the civilian territory, it is only a matter of time. Erdogan is committed to upholding his end of the bargain. The question is if we will do what is right.
Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA 22) sent a letter to his constituents as the US announced their ceasefire deal with the two nations. Saying: “I am hopeful this ceasefire will bring an end to the unacceptable, belligerent actions taken by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Armenia.”
With all due respect, Congressman, your hope isn’t saving anyone. The Armenians in your district need more than just your hope, more than just your words; they need action. Their families back home are being slaughtered as your government provides security aid to their enemy. These people are crying out for their lives, and you are telling them, whether directly or indirectly, that you don’t care - at least not enough to do anything. There are genocidal heads of the state bringing about their extermination, and you “hope” they do better?
There is no need for hope when you can create change.
The United Nations, the EU parliament, the United States, all of these nations and collectives are calling on hope when the power to stop these attacks lies in the palm of their hands. This is no longer a war, no longer a debate about state sovereignty - every action and inaction taken since the 23rd of October is an act that aids this genocide.
Peace deals won’t work. Denouncing Azerbaijan won’t work. Only real and sustained actions to halt Azerbaijan in all their operations will work. Azeri and Turkish forces are searching for a much greater goal, one that these bodies can prevent them from reaching.
Now isn’t the time to respect agreements or trade deals. It is time for action.
Azerbaijan has given up all pretense of decent warfare, opting to partake in the severe destruction of forest areas. Recently videos have surfaced of the white phosphorus being used to set the forests near Armenian villages ablaze. This is just the latest in a long series of heinous acts that have characterized this war. While white phosphorus is not prohibited under international law, its use is frowned upon near civilian areas.
Armenia first accepted women into military service training in 2013, but very few women have been urged to join since then. Last week, however, the prime minister’s wife announced that she and 13 other women will be deployed on the frontlines in Artsakh soon. This just reflects that the nation is being stretched for resources and soldiers.
Over 1000 young men, most of them just 18 or 19 years old, have fallen fighting this war. As of the 26th of October, 300 to 400 civilians were reported dead, and that number is only projected to grow as Azeri airstrikes extend further into Artsakh villages. According to the BBC, on the 10th of October, over 70,000 people have been displaced on the Armenian side of the conflict.
The first Armenian genocide was background noise to Western interests, don’t let this be the same. Get involved, show up to the protest, call your representatives.
International bodies and treaties like NATO limit the actions that European nations and the US can take. That doesn’t mean that nothing can be done, and the US has found a way around these rules in the past.
Here is what you can petition your representatives to push for:
Contract a private military
The US is currently utilizing private contractors to represent their interests in Syria. This is in no way a violation of the constitution or the law. Moreover, while the act might irritate Turkey, it is permitted by NATO.
It is possible for other nations as well, especially those with the money to employ mercenaries.
Petition the Security Council to sanction arms sales to Azerbaijan
This is an option for anyone from a security council nation (mostly); this includes the UK, Russia, France, the United States, and China. The non-permanent member nations like; Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Niger, St Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, and Tunisia.
Petition your government to stop selling arms to Azerbaijan
There are many countries that are providing aid, funds, and arms to the Azeri army. Check if your government is and if they are, call your representative in the national government.
Many of us are not able to do that, but what we can do is donate!
If you have anything to give, donate to the Armenia Fund and help people on the ground.
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