Armenia's PM Sends Powerful Message as Civilians Evacuate Nagorno-Karabakh, Taking the World by Storm
Armenia's PM criticizes Russia's security ties as ineffective after Azerbaijan swiftly captures Nagorno-Karabakh, calling for a stronger approach
The Prime Minister of Armenia criticized the ineffectiveness of his country's security relationships, taking a dig at Russia after Azerbaijan successfully took control of the breakaway province of Nagorno-Karabakh through a rapid military operation. Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a group dominated by Russia and consisting of six post-Soviet states. Similar to NATO, the CSTO mandates its members to provide assistance to one another in times of attack.
This week, Azerbaijan successfully compelled the ethnic Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh to surrender, marking the possible conclusion of a long-standing conflict. This development has sparked concerns about Armenia's dependence on its historical ally, Russia. According to Armenias public radio, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia has consistently honored its allied commitments and has remained loyal to its allies. However, he acknowledged that recent events have laid bare the vulnerabilities faced by the country.
Pashinyan has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with Russia for neglecting to notify him about Azerbaijan's intentions, whereas certain Russian analysts have derided the prime minister's inability to safeguard ethnic Armenians outside their own country.
A residential apartment building in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, is seen damaged after shelling. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, Azerbaijan announced the commencement of an "anti-terrorist operation" aimed at Armenian military positions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Officials in the region reported intense artillery fire near its capital.
Azerbaijan claims to have regained control of the separatist Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh as separatist forces surrender. Despite being officially recognized as a part of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh is predominantly inhabited by 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have established their own autonomous government and have refused to accept Azerbaijani authority.
The Armenian government is currently collaborating with partners to establish global mechanisms for safeguarding the rights of individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh. However, should these endeavors prove unsuccessful, Armenia will extend its support and assistance to their "brothers and sisters" with utmost care, cautioned Pashinyan. Nevertheless, this approach will not only be ineffective in resolving the current problems but will also exacerbate them.
Armenia's Public Radio reported that a humanitarian office is currently registering a group of approximately 30-40 individuals, primarily comprising women, children, and elderly persons, who have recently arrived in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh.
One local official from the disputed region stated that majority of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh would choose to relocate to Armenia. According to David Babayan, an adviser to the president of the self-declared Republic of Artsakh, almost all our people refuse to live as a part of Azerbaijan and would prefer to leave our ancestral lands. This statement was made to Reuters on Sunday. The Armenians refer to this region as Artsakh.
Azerbaijan has promised to ensure the rights of residents in the region. However, Pashinyan and international experts have continually raised concerns about the potential for ethnic cleansing of Armenians in the enclave. "The actions taken against our suffering population will forever be remembered as a disgrace and embarrassment for the Armenian people and the entire civilized international community," stated Babayan, emphasizing that those accountable will ultimately face divine judgement for their wrongdoings.
Russian peacekeepers evacuate civilians following Azerbaijan's offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, September 21, 2023.
Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters
Azerbaijan has reclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh. What does that mean for the tens of thousands living there?
"If the Armenians residing in Nagorno-Karabakh are not given adequate living conditions and if effective measures to prevent ethnic cleansing are not implemented, there is a greater possibility that they will perceive leaving their homeland as their only means of salvation," stated Pashinyan. Both Pashinyan and Babayan's remarks were made upon the arrival of the first aid shipments to the landlocked region on Saturday, since the commencement of the ceasefire.
In a statement on X, previously known as Twitter, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that a convoy was carried through the Lachin corridor. This corridor serves as the sole route connecting Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. Regrettably, Azerbaijan has implemented a blockade on this road since December 2022, ceasing all civilian and commercial traffic.
Azerbaijan's short-lived military offensive came to a halt with a ceasefire brokered by Russia, leading to separatist Armenian fighters consenting to surrender and disarm. According to officials, the military operation in Azerbaijan resulted in the tragic loss of over 200 lives and left more than 400 individuals injured.
