Unveiling the Human Tragedy: Mass Exodus of Ethnic Armenians Escaping Nagorno-Karabakh's Devastation
First refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh arrive in Armenia as Azerbaijan claims victory and regains control of the breakaway region
According to an Armenian government statement quoted by state news outlet Armenpress, approximately 4,850 individuals have arrived in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh by midday on Monday. This comes after Azerbaijan launched a swift offensive and claimed to have regained complete control over the disputed region.
Last week, Azerbaijan's offensive, although brief, resulted in over 200 fatalities and numerous injuries. Following a Russia-brokered ceasefire, Karabakh officials consented to dissolving their armed forces. President Ilham Aliyev declared that Baku had reestablished its authority over the enclave with unwavering determination.
Azerbaijan maintains that ethnic Armenians opting to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh must go through the process of applying for Azerbaijani citizenship.
The Karabakh presidency informed Reuters that most of the 120,000 ethnic Armenians residing in the enclave prefer not to reside under Azerbaijan's control and intend to relocate to Armenia due to concerns of persecution and ethnic cleansing.
Social media posts revealed residents of Stepanakert, the capital of the region, packing their belongings into vehicles and searching for gasoline. The area had been under blockade by Azerbaijan-backed activists for nine months, resulting in severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
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?
According to Deputy Mayor Irina Yolyan of the Armenian town of Goris, the majority of those escaping Karabakh were women, children, and the elderly. Goris is situated near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, close to the Lachin corridor which is the sole route linking the enclave to Armenia.
Armenpress reported that the Armenian government has stated it is offering housing to those individuals who are without a place to stay.
Refugees who arrived in Armenia expressed their belief to Reuters that the history of their autonomous state has come to an end.
According to the agency, Anna Agopyan, who reached Goris, a border town in Armenia, stated firmly, "There is no going back - that's final." She added, "I believe the issue of Karabakh has now been permanently resolved."
