Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 13:49, 19 September 2023

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

2023 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes
Part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Military situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September 2023
Date 19 September 2023 – present (2023-09-19 – present) (1 year, 3 months, 3 weeks and 4 days) Location Nagorno-Karabakh Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Azerbaijan	Artsakh
Commanders and leaders
Ilham Aliyev	Samvel Shahramanyan
Units involved
Azerbaijani Land Forces  Azerbaijani Air Force	Artsakh Defence Army
Casualties and losses
Azerbaijan estimate: 3 civilians killed	Armenian estimate: 2 civilians killed 11 civilians wounded

On 19 September 2023, fighting between Azerbaijani and forces of the self-declared Armenian breakaway state of Artsakh were reported in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan launched a military operation declaring the start of "anti-terrorist activities in Nagorno-Karabakh". The attacks occurred in the midst of an escalating crisis caused by Azerbaijan blockading the Republic of Artsakh, which has resulted in significant scarcities of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other goods in the affected region.

Background

Heavy fighting broke out along the Azerbaijan-Nagorno-Karabakh border in September 2020 following a summer of cross-border strikes. More than 7,000 military and civilians were killed, and hundreds more soldiers from Armenia and Azerbaijan were injured. Both nations originally rebuffed calls for discussions and an end to hostilities from the United Nations, the United States, and Russia and vowed to continue hostilities. When both sides shifted from cross-border bombardment to longer-range artillery and other heavy weapons, tensions increased even further.

Russia helped mediate a deal on November 9, 2020, ending the six-week war after multiple unsuccessful attempts by Russia, France, and the United States to negotiate a truce. Only a fraction of Karabakh was left to Armenia with most of the land lost to Azerbaijan twenty years earlier was regained. The deal also established the Lachin corridor, a short stretch of land that would be used as a transit route between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and be supervised by Russian peacekeeping forces.

Without effective efforts at mediation, continued ceasefire violations and heightened tensions pose a possibility of rekindling a major conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Periodic violations of the 2020 ceasefire terms has escalated into clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces, most notably a two-day conflict starting on 13 September 2022 which was the most significant escalation since 2020. Azerbaijan launched attacks on several locations inside Armenian territory, which forced the evacuation of more than 2,700 civilians. Armenia and Azerbaijan have exchanged accusations of blame for initiating the violence. Additional border clashes were reported on September 21, September 23, and September 28.

Azerbaijani protestors took over the Lachin corridor in December 2022, ostensibly in protest of environmental damage brought on by illicit mining in Nagorno-Karabakh. The demonstrators, who allegedly had support from Baku's government, barred all traffic besides Red Cross and Russian convoys. The Russian peacekeepers who were supposed to maintain the route secure and open so that supplies could reach Armenia were either unwilling or unable to do so. As a result, rationing and severe shortages were experienced by the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan opened a roadblock on the route on April 23, 2023, claiming that it was required to stop and intercept weapons shipments from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. Days later, the demonstrations came to a stop, indicating that the government's ultimate goal was to obstruct Armenian immigration. Armenia and ethnic Armenian officials in Nagorno-Karabakh denounced the roadblock, alleging that it was an attempt by Azerbaijan to isolate Armenians in Karabakh and bolster its hold on the area. Russia, on the other hand, merely made a brief statement disapproving the action. Russia's reputation as a reliable security guarantee has suffered from the peacekeeping force's complacency in the face of repeated attempts to obstruct Armenia's access to the area.

Azerbaijan has restricted access to Nagorno-Karabakh, prohibiting even Red Cross convoys from traveling through the Lachin Corridor to the region due to alleged product smuggling. This has made diplomatic attempts more difficult. The detention of a person going through a checkpoint to receive medical treatment in Armenia by Azerbaijani security personnel also caused a halt to medical evacuations for seriously ill patients. As the humanitarian crisis becomes grave, no supplies are permitted to flow via the corridor, leaving shelves empty and resulting in the deaths of two children. Azerbaijan offered assistance, but the authorities of the area declined it, stating they wouldn't take assistance from the nation that caused the problem. Azerbaijan has ignored outside calls to lift its blockade.

Overview

On 19 September 2023, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense released a statement, claiming that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were shelled by Armenian forces, leading to increased tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The statement followed with information that there has been fortification of battle positions, increased mobilization units, and expanded reconnaissance activities. The statement accused Armenia of killing two civilians on the same day with a vehicle with land mine attached exploding in which in response, launched "local anti-terrorist activities" to "ensure the Trilateral Statement's provisions, suppress large-scale provocations, disarm Armenia's armed forces, neutralize their military infrastructure, and restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan." The statement ends with a notice that the Russia peacekeeping contingent and the Turkish-Russian Monitoring Center are informed about the ongoing activities. Azerbaijani MOD claimed that no civilian positions were being attacked with weaponry, but it was clear that strikes were being carried out in close proximity to large cities and densely populated areas. The attacks occurred in the midst of an escalating crisis caused by the Azerbaijani government effectively blockading the Republic of Artsakh. This blockade has resulted in significant scarcities of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other goods in the affected region.

Timeline

September 19

Authorities of the breakaway state of Artsakh said the state's de facto capital, Stepanakert, and other cities were “under heavy shelling”, accusing Azerbaijan of attempted ethnic cleansing.

Reactions

Local

•  Armenia: Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian Armed Forces were not involved in fighting and that Armenian forces are not stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also reiterated that the situation in the Armenia-Azerbaijan border was stable and said that Azerbaijan was trying to ethnically cleanse the region. Armenia’s Ministry of Defense accused Azerbaijani officials of spreading misinformation, saying that there is no Armenian military equipment or personnel present in Nagarno-Karabakh. The Armenian foreign ministry accused Azerbaijan of unleashing “large-scale aggression” against Karabakh and claimed Baku was attempting “ethnic cleansing” in the region. Armenia called on the United Nations Security Council and Russia to take action in order to end the military operation, while Pashinyan called an emergency meeting of the country's National Security Council.

International

•  Russia: Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a statement that Russia was “deeply alarmed by the sharp escalation”.

Supranational

•  European Union: President of the European Council of the European Union Charles Michel condemned Azerbaijan's hostility and urged the country to immediately stop its military activities through a social media post.

•  United Nations: U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told Al Jazeera that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was “very concerning”. He urged both sides to halt hostilities and go back to "sustained dialogue".

References

1. "Ermənistan silahlı qüvvələrinin Şuşaya atəşi nəticəsində Şuşa Şəhəri Dövlət Qoruğunun mühənidisi həlak olub". Trend News Agency (in Azerbaijani). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
2. "Azerbaijan launches military action in Karabakh 'to disarm Armenians'". Reuters. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
3. "Nagorno-Karabakh live: Azerbaijan launches attack on Armenian positions". Al Jazeera. 19 September 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
4. "Azerbaijan launches new 'anti-terror' offensive in Nagorno Karabakh". Aljazeera. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
5. ^ "Statement by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense". MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
6. ^ Roth, Andrew (19 September 2023). "Azerbaijan launches 'anti-terrorist' campaign in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
7. "Explainer: What is Nagorno-Karabakh and why are tensions rising?". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
8. "Nagorno-Karabakh profile". BBC News. 30 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
9. "Azerbaijan: Unlawful Strikes in Nagorno-Karabakh". Human Rights Watch. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
10. Новости, Р. И. А. (10 November 2020). "Путин выступил с заявлением о прекращении огня в Карабахе". РИА Новости (in Russian). Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
11. "Nagorno-Karabakh: Russia deploys peacekeeping troops to region". BBC News. 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
12. "Azerbaijan: Unlawful Strikes in Nagorno-Karabakh". Human Rights Watch. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
13. "Armenia, Azerbaijan report deadly border clashes". gulfnews.com. 13 September 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
14. "Fresh clashes erupt between Azerbaijan, Armenia". Reuters. 13 September 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
15. "Deployment of international observer mission on border could be a solution: Pashinyan says". www.1lurer.am. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
16. "We call on Azerbaijan to return the troops to their initial positions: US Embassy to Armenia". www.1lurer.am. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
17. Service, RFE/RL's Armenian. "Azerbaijani President Meets Top EU Official Ahead Of Broader Talks On Peace Settlement". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
18. Blakemore, Reka (14 June 2023). "Azerbaijan Postpones Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Talks Until Further Notice". The Organization for World Peace. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
19. "Armenian protesters demanding Lachin corridor unblock". Al Arabiya English. 8 August 2023. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
20. Ochab, Dr Ewelina U. "Lachin Corridor Blockade Starves Nagorno-Karabakh". Forbes. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
21. "World Court orders Azerbaijan to ensure free movement to Nagorno-Karabakh". Reuters. 22 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
22. "European Churches urge action for humanitarian crisis in Upper Karabakh - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 12 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
23. ^ "Azerbaijan accuses Red Cross of smuggling, shuts road to Karabakh". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
24. "Armenia says Azerbaijan behind Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock 'crisis'". France 24. 15 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
25. "Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijani roadblock cuts off food". openDemocracy. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
26. "UN court orders Azerbaijan to end Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
27. "UN court calls for end to Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock". AP News. 22 February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
28. Chapple, Amos (18 July 2023). "Deaths, Mass Protests As Nagorno-Karabakh Blockade Tightens". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
29. "Queues for bread and no milk: Motherhood in Nagorno-Karabakh". openDemocracy. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
30. "Aid supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh resume after separatists reach accord with Azerbaijan". France 24. 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
31. ^ "Azerbaijan launches attack on Nagorno-Karabakh as peace with Armenia ends". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
32. ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Armenia Accuses Azerbaijan Of Attempting 'Ethnic Cleansing' In Karabakh". www.barrons.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
33. Stepanian, Ruzanna; Musayelian, Lusine (19 September 2023). "Heavy Fighting Reported In Karabakh". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
34. Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani. "Azerbaijan Launches Military Operation In Breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
35. CivilNet (19 September 2023). "Air raid sirens blare in Stepanakert as Azerbaijan launches 'anti-terrorist activities'". CIVILNET. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
36. content. "ՀՀ ՊՆ". www.mil.am (in Armenian). Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
37. "Russian peacekeepers in close touch with Armenians in Karabakh, Azerbaijani officials - MFA". Trend.Az. 19 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.

• Current events from September 2023
• 2023 in Azerbaijan
• 2023 in Armenia
• 2023 in the Republic of Artsakh
• Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• September 2023 events in Asia
• September 2023 events in Europe