Ethnic Armenian refugees have begun leaving Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time since Azerbaijan launched a military operation aimed at seizing control of this breakaway territory, potentially marking a historic geopolitical shift. The fast-paced events on the ground are leading to Armenia’s public distancing from its traditional ally, Russia.
Amidst the turmoil, one refugee from the village of Mets Shen expressed the urgency of their situation, saying, “Yesterday, we had to put down our rifles. So we left.” This hasty departure gave them only 15 minutes to pack their belongings, leaving behind cherished possessions, including livestock and even the grave of a three-year-old daughter.
According to the Armenian government, 377 “forcefully displaced persons” have crossed the border from Azerbaijan into Armenia. The majority of these refugees are women and children, including those from Eghtsahogh, who sought refuge around a Russian peacekeeping base after their village reportedly came under Azerbaijani shelling.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the separatist region are negotiating the fate of approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijani officials, facilitated by Russian peacekeepers. Many residents in the region have faced dire shortages of food, water, and power during a nine-month blockade.
However, amidst these developments, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shifted blame onto long-standing ally Russia, signaling a breakdown in their security pact. He voiced dissatisfaction with the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and Moscow-Yerevan military-political cooperation, deeming them “insufficient” to protect the nation. Pashinyan hinted at seeking new alliances and even suggested that Armenia should ratify the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict.
In an attempt to address the ongoing crisis, Armenia announced that Pashinyan would meet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain, on October 5, alongside EU leaders.
Tensions remain high along the Kornidzor crossing, as anxious relatives await news. On the Azerbaijani side, residents of Terter and Beylagan celebrated their government’s victory, expressing little sympathy for their Armenian neighbors. The complexities of this situation raise concerns about potential persecution and violence in the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s swift military success.
While the international community expresses deep concern for ethnic Armenians in the region, Azerbaijan remains determined to reintegrate ethnic Armenian residents of the Karabakh region as equal citizens. Key ally Turkey is also set to provide diplomatic support to Azerbaijan, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the Nakhchivan exclave.
Sources By Agencies
