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Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis

December 15, 2023

Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis
Part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Map showing the location of the clashes on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
Date12 May 2021 – present
(2 years and 7 months)
Location
Armenia–Azerbaijan border
Status Ongoing
Territorial
changes		 Azerbaijan occupies parts of the Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces adjacent to the Armenia–Azerbaijan border: 215 square kilometers (83 square miles) of Armenian territory[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Belligerents
 Azerbaijan  Armenia
Commanders and leaders
Casualties and losses

Per Azerbaijan:

Per Armenia:

22+ non-combatants killed (International Crisis Group)[41]
Map showing the territories of Armenia occupied by Azerbaijan (2023)

The military forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in a border conflict since 12 May 2021, when Azerbaijani soldiers crossed several kilometers (miles) into Armenia in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik. Azerbaijan is currently occupying at least 215 square kilometres (83 sq mi) of Armenian territory.[1][42][43][44][45][46] Azerbaijan has not withdrawn its troops from internationally recognised Armenian territory despite calls to do so by the European Parliament, United States and France – two of three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.[47][48] Since the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan has made numerous incursions into Armenian territory.[49]

Since the end of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan has regularly violated the November ceasefire agreement, provoking cross-border fights with Armenia.[50][51][52][53]

It is an established pattern that Azerbaijan instigates cross-border incursions or ceasefire violations when its government is unhappy with the pace of negotiations with Armenia.[54][55]

The crisis escalated in July 2021, with clashes taking place on the Armenia–Nakhchivan border, and in November 2021 in the Gegharkunik–Kalbajar area.[51]

In August 2021, Azerbaijani forces blockaded southern Armenia (Syunik) by closing the main north–south highway which interrupted all international transit with Iran and forced Armenia to develop alternative roads.[56][57][58][59]

The largest escalation occurred in September 2022, when Azerbaijan launched the largest attack on the Republic of Armenia in the history of the conflict between the two countries.[60][61][62][63] Casualties were reported on both sides.[64]

Armenia has unsuccessfully requested that the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and Russia independently intervene due to Azerbaijan's military incursions in May 2021 and September 2022. The CSTO and Russia declined to provide assistance both times.[65][66]

Officials from the European Union and Russia have explicitly condemned Azerbaijan's military operations, considering them to be violations of the ceasefire agreement.[51][53][67][68][69][52] Prior to August 2021, the Russian peacekeepers had made neutral statements calling for "both sides" to de-escalate rather than explicitly blame Azerbaijan for the fighting.[68][69][52] In order to strengthen the border against Azerbaijan's military incursions, Armenia allocated additional defense areas to border guards of the Russian Federal Security Service.[70][71]

Although the mission has been condemned by Azerbaijan and Russia, the EU has sent a CSDP civilian monitoring mission to Armenia to contribute to stability along the border and deter offensives by Azerbaijan.[72][73][74][42] The president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has made numerous threats to Armenia, making statements such as "Armenia must accept our conditions" if Armenians wish to "live comfortably on an area of 29,000 square kilometers," (11,000 sq. mi.) and "they must not forget that Armenian villages are visible from here."[75][76][77][78][79]

Since Azerbaijan's offensives, Armenia's borders with Azerbaijan have become militarized which has disrupted the livelihoods of residents in border communities: residents have been targeted and can no longer access farmlands, schools, water resources, relatives, or religious sites.[80][81][82][83] Fearing for their safety, many Armenian villagers have moved away permanently.[84][85][86]

Background edit

Main articles: Armenia–Azerbaijan border and Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Armenia and Azerbaijan have not officially demarcated their mutual borders since becoming independent states following collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.[87][88]

The issue of border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan arose immediately after the defeat of Armenia in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and Azerbaijan regaining control over its occupied territories. Before the 2020 war, there was no mutually agreed upon border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with certain Armenian villages and agricultural workers crossing over into Azerbaijan.[89] During Soviet times, cross-border interactions and movements were common.[85][90][91]

The issue of exclaves/enclaves is another border-related issue; there is an exclave called Artsvashen which is formally part of Soviet-era Armenia but controlled by and situated entirely within the current Republic of Azerbaijan; likewise, the exclaves of Tigranashen, Voskepar, and Barkhudarly are formally part of Soviet-era Azerbaijan but controlled by and situated entirely within the current Republic of Armenia.[87]

Following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, physical demarcation of the borders commenced in certain areas using excavators.[88] Azerbaijan used Armenia's main north–south highway and Google Maps to unofficially demarcate the border between the southern regions of the two countries;[85][88][92] Armenian residents who lived on the east side of the highway were given three days to leave.[85][93] Azerbaijan built many new border posts often using Armenian roads under the escort of Russian military.[85] Intimidated by the presence of Azerbaijani military, certain Armenians living in border regions limited the number of trips to the region using the main highway; others moved away permanently.[85] Both Armenia and Azerbaijan agree that Soviet maps will form the basis of border delineation.[85][94]

Since the end of the war, Azerbaijan has increasingly promoted expansionist claims to Armenian territory which it describes as "Western Azerbaijan"[95][96][97][98] which have been perceived as a bargaining strategy to force Armenians to relinquish control of Artsakh[99] and concede the "Zangezur corridor."[100] The Azerbaijani government has also successfully petitioned Google to remove historical Armenian place names from maps of Artsakh.[101][102]

In April 2021, Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev made irredentist claims over Armenia's capital Yerevan, Zangezur (Syunik), and Sevan (Gegharkunik), declaring that they are "historical lands" of Azerbaijan.[103][104] He said that if Armenia would not agree to provide a corridor from Nakhchivan to western Azerbaijan through Armenia's Syunik Province, then Azerbaijan would establish it through the use of force, claiming that Azerbaijani people would return to what he described as "West Zangazur".[105][106][107][108] Turkey supports Azerbaijan and also seeks territorial control over Armenia's Syunik province.[109]

A joint statement by the European Parliament Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, Marina Kaljurand, and Standing Rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan, Andrey Kovatchev and Željana Zovko condemned the statements made by the Azerbaijani side: "To de-escalate the situation...we condemn in particular recent statements by Azerbaijani representatives regarding so-called 'West Zangezur' and referring to the territory of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani 'ancestral land'. Such statements are highly irresponsible and threaten to undermine regional security further."[110]

The day of Azerbaijan's first military incursion on 12 May 2021, it announced it was holding a four-day exercise involving 15,000 soldiers, involving tanks, missile systems, and aviation units, among other military resources.[111][112]

Armenian territory occupied by Azerbaijan edit

Azerbaijani soldiers are occupying internationally recognized Armenian territory and conducting engineering and fortification works.[3][113][44][114][115][116][4][117][118][119] Estimates of the amount of territory occupied vary between 50 and 215 square kilometers (20 and 83 sq. mi.) with some local Armenian officials and farmers claiming that the Azerbaijani military has made bigger territorial gains than is admitted by officials in Yerevan.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][120][121]

European PACE monitors have "…observed the presence of Azerbaijani military positions within Armenian sovereign territory sometimes well beyond any disputed border line… [including]… strategic high ground… overlooking the main road linking the capital Yerevan to the Iranian border.[122] These strategic heights are in the regions of Gegharkunik, Kapan, and near the village of Nerkin Khand further south.[8] According to International Crisis Group, these new positions clearly give Azerbaijan an advantage if fighting resumes since they encircle several Armenian villages and overlook the main road to Syunik which is considered "a lifeline for the country's communication's routes" to both Iran and Nagorno-Karabakh.[123][2]

Locals fear Azerbaijan will threaten to cut off southern Armenia from the rest of the country unless Armenia surrenders concessions such as the Zangezur corridor.[123] Southern Armenia (Syunik) is often referred to as "the backbone of Armenia" given that it connects Armenia both to Artsakh as well as to Iran.[124] With 80% of Armenia's borders being closed since Turkey and Azerbaijan's 30 year-long blockade,[125] the border with Iran comprises one of only two open international borders to Armenia.[124]

Since Azerbaijan's military incursions, Armenia's eastern border has become militarized; it has been common for Armenian farmers in border areas to be shot at and for their livestock to be robbed.[81][82] An article published in Jacobin summarizes the situation as "Azerbaijan… kidnaps, tortures, rapes, and executes Armenians in the border regions."[126] Fearing for their safety, many Armenian villagers have stopped using land previously used for agricultural purposes and others have moved away permanently.[84][85][82]

Azerbaijan has not withdrawn its troops from internationally recognised Armenian territory despite calls to do so by the European Parliament, United States and France – the latter two which comprise two of three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Azerbaijan argues that it cannot be accused of occupying Armenian lands without official border demarcation.[123][127] Azerbaijani media outlets and notable politicians within the country have called for the occupation of more Armenian land.[128][129]

Timeline edit

May 2021 edit

On 12 May, hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers crossed several kilometres (miles) into Armenian territory and occupied territory within the provinces of Gegharkunik and Syunik.[130][89][131] The same day, Azerbaijan announced it was holding a four-day exercise involving 15,000 soldiers, tanks, missile systems, and aviation units.[111][112]

In Syunik, Azerbaijani soldiers attempted to surround Lake Sev.[44][89] The soldiers advanced towards civilian settlements, scaring local agricultural workers.[84] Incursions by Azerbaijani soldiers were also observed in Verishen and Sisian within Syunik[132][133][134]

In Gegharkunik, Azerbaijani incursions were also observed, including in Vardenis,[135][130][132][133][134] with certain media outlets reporting that Azerbaijani forces had captured areas there.[136] The Armenian National Security Service warned of the legal consequences of reporting misinformation that "cause[s] panic."[136]

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said negotiations were ongoing for an Azerbaijani withdrawal, and that Armenian forces had stopped the advance without any skirmishes having taken place.[citation needed]

 
Lake Sev as seen from the peak of Mets Ishkhanasar mountain in Armenia

Azerbaijan claims that its forces did not cross into Armenia and merely took up positions that were inaccessible in winter months, adding that the border between the two countries was never formally demarcated following the collapse of the Soviet Union.[137]

However, Soviet maps from 1975 show that over 90% of Sev Lake is in Armenian territory, with only a small section of the northern shore situated within Azerbaijan SSR[44][138][139] The map also shows the adjacent smaller Lake Janlich (Jinli) as entirely in Armenian territory.[138][140][139] The Azerbaijani side, showed a map with the entire Sev lake belonging to Azerbaijan, and refused to leave the territory.[89][84]

On 13 May, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces crossed the Armenian border in two other sections.[134] The same day, Nikol Pashinyan said that 250 Azerbaijani soldiers remained within Armenia's internationally recognized borders.[134]

On 14 May, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, formally appealed to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to hold consultations regarding the Azerbaijani incursion into Armenia.[141][142][143][144] Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials convened at the border together with representatives of the Russian military deployed in the Syunik Province for several hours of negotiations, without any immediate resulting agreement being announced afterwards.[141] Pashinyan also said in a speech on 14 May that French President Emmanuel Macron said that France was ready to provide military assistance if necessary.[112]

On 15 May, Armenia's Defense Ministry stated that the situation regarding the Azerbaijani incursion on 12–13 May remained unresolved, with some Azerbaijani soldiers still on Armenian territory, and that negotiations in order to bring about a peaceful settlement were ongoing.[145]

On 15 May, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan responded by saying that it was enforcing the borders of Azerbaijan on the basis of "maps available to both sides", criticizing the Armenian statements as "provocative" and "inadequate". The Ministry also accused the Armenian authorities of using the situation for pre-election domestic political purposes,[146][147] a claim which is considered unlikely.[148]

During a call with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azerbaijani President Aliyev described Armenia's decision to appeal to the CSTO as an attempt to "internationalize the issue".[149]

On 19 May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia came up with an initiative to create a joint Armenia-Azerbaijan commission on demarcation and delimitation of the borders, in which Russia could play the role of a consultant or mediator.[150] On 20 May, acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia and Azerbaijan were close to an agreement on the creation of a joint commission to demarcate the border between the two countries, with Russia acting as a mediator, and each country appointing delegates to the commission by 31 May.[151]

In the morning of 20 May, a group of Azerbaijani servicemen crossed the border near the village of Khoznavar in the Goris region, walking 1.5 km (1 mile) into Armenian territory. They were forced back to their original positions by Armenian forces, but they then made a second attempt to cross the border in the evening, resulting in a fight between Armenian and Azerbaijani servicemen. The General Prosecutor's Office of Armenia reported that eleven Armenian soldiers were injured and hospitalized, and that there were injuries from the Azerbaijani side, too. The videos of the incident were leaked on social media, initially a video of Azerbaijani military men attacking and beating Armenian soldiers, and, on the next day, another video showing the Armenian Armed Forces expelling Azerbaijani servicemen from their territory appeared.[30]

On 25 May, an Armenian soldier was killed 7 kilometers (5 miles) within Armenian territory which Azerbaijan denied.[148] The same day, all male staff working for the administration of the Sisian community were mobilized into volunteer defense units.[148]

On 27 May, after the tensions rose further after the capture of six Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces early in the morning, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for the deployment of international observers along portions of Armenia's border with Azerbaijan. "If the situation is not resolved this provocation could inevitably lead to a large-scale clash," Pashinyan said at an emergency meeting of Armenia's Security Council held in the evening, suggesting Armenia and Azerbaijan to pull back their troops from the border areas and let Russia and/or the United States and France, the two other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, deploy their observers there. The disengagement of troops and the launch of the monitoring mission, should be followed by a process of "ascertaining border points" supervised by the international community, the Prime Minister said.[37]

On 28 May, the EU spokesperson Peter Stano called for immediate de-escalation and urged both sides to pull back their forces to positions held before 12 May and engage in negotiations on border delimitation and demarcation, welcoming proposals for a possible international observation mission and expressing readiness to provide expertise and help on border delimitation and demarcation. The EU continues to call on Azerbaijan to release all prisoners of war and detainees without delay and welcomes all efforts aimed at decreasing tensions.[152]

July 2021 edit

 
Military positions of the Armenian forces in the northeastern direction of Armenia, which were attacked by Azerbaijani forces on 28 July 2021, according to the Armenian MoD

After an incident on 6 July in the Agdam District, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces clashed again in the directions of Azerbaijan's Tovuz, Gadabay, Nakhchivan and Shusha districts from 7 to 20 July.[153][154][155] On 14 July, the Armenian defence ministry stated that the Azerbaijani engineers tried to advance their military positions near Yeraskh in the Nakhchivan section of the Armenia–Azerbaijan border, and clashes erupted. The ministry added that the Azerbaijani side had started shelling Yeraskh, using mortars and grenade launchers, with an Armenian soldier getting killed[156][23] and the community leader of Yeraskh getting wounded.[157] The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that an Azerbaijani soldier stationed near Heydarabad was wounded during the clashes,[18] and added that the "responsibility for the creation of tension along the state border of the two countries lies entirely with Armenia."[158] The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry later on the same day stated that the Armenian forces had fired at the Azerbaijani positions near Istisu in Kalbajar and Aghdam in Tovuz.[159] On 19 July, further clashes erupted near Yeraskh on Armenia's eastern border with Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan.[54][160]

On 22 July 2021, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made another irredentist claim over Armenia's province of Syunik (also known as Zangezur), saying that it is "our own territory":

While in Yerevan, Charles Michel called the territories bordering with Armenia disputed. To be honest, I disagree with this statement. Because we believe that these are our territories. I believe that this is the territory of Zangezur. And Zangezur is the land of our ancestors, and we are on our territory.

— Ilham Aliev[161]

On 23 July 2021, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence stated that one of its soldiers was killed by Armenian sniper fire in Kalbajar District near the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.[10] Meanwhile, the Armenian MoD stated that three Armenian servicemen were wounded as Azerbaijani forces opened fire on Armenian positions located in the Gegharkunik section.[162]

On 28 July 2021, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia reported about intensive firing from the Azerbaijani side between 03:30 and 03:40 targeting civilian buildings in the villages of Verin Shorzha and Saradeghy in the Gegharkunik Province.[163] On the same day, three Armenian soldiers were killed in renewed clashes with Azerbaijani forces in the Kalbajar District and Gegharkunik Province, with four others wounded. Armenia accused Azerbaijan of "occupying Armenia's sovereign territory" as the Azerbaijani side blamed the incident on Armenian forces, stating that they opened fire first. Azerbaijan also reported 2 soldiers wounded during the skirmish.[19][24][32][33]

On 29 July, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence stated that Armenian forces broke the ceasefire in the morning, using automatic rifles and grenade launchers.[164] Armenian authorities then stated that the Azerbaijani side had violated the ceasefire,[165] but Azerbaijan denied that it broke the ceasefire.[166] An Armenian soldier was wounded in the shootout.[34]

On 31 July, Armenian authorities stated that Azerbaijani forces fired upon a logistic support vehicle delivering food to Armenian military positions in Yeraskh. As a result, the vehicle was "seriously damaged".[167]

August 2021 edit

On 13 August 2021, Armenia and Azerbaijan reported about shelling on the border. The Armenian MoD stated that the Azerbaijani units opened fire from various calibre firearms at the Armenian positions in the Gegarkunik section, meanwhile Azerbaijan said that the Armenian forces had opened fire in the direction of the Kalbajar and Gadabay Districts.[168]

On 16 August 2021, two further Armenian soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani forces.[25] Vahan Tatosyan died from sniper fire at 09:50hrs in Yeraskh, while Arman Hakobyan was killed in Gegharkunik at 18:10hrs.[169][170]

On 17 August 2021, Armenian Ministry of Defence reported that another Armenian soldier was wounded as a result of a shelling attack from Azerbaijan.[171]

On 25 August, Azerbaijani forces blockaded southern Armenia (Syunik) by closing the main north–south (Goris – Kapan) highway in Armenia in two sections near the villages of Karmrakar and Shurnukh, interrupting all international transit with Iran.[56][57] The following day Azerbaijani forces blocked another section of the road further north, near the village of Vorotan.[56][57] The blockade stranded hundreds of Iranian trucks and resulted in the isolation of three villages located in between the closed sections of the road.[57] The blockade was alleviated partly under the escorts of Russian border guards which patrol the Armenian side of the border.[57][172][173][174]

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan announced that the issue would be solved with the construction of a new north–south transport corridor, which was completed in November 2021.[56][175]

On 27 August 2021, the Armenian Human Rights Defender reported that Azerbaijani troops had targeted Kut village: "Elderly people and children were in the yard at the time of the shooting. There were also children in the house at that time. On August 27, at around 10 pm, Azerbaijani armed forces fired intensively at civilian houses in the village of Kut, Gegharkunik region, directly targeting the civilian population," reported Arman Tatoyan.[176][177]

September 2021 edit

On 1 September 2021, the Armenian soldier Gegham Sahakyan was killed by Azerbaijani sniper fire in Yeraskh.[26][178] Following increased tension with Iran, Azerbaijan began charging taxes on Iranian truck drivers who deliver supplies to Armenia through the main north-south highway, which Azerbaijan had previously blockaded.[179]

October 2021 edit

On 9 October 2021, the Armenian MoD reported that an Armenian serviceman, Misak Khachatryan, was injured by a shot from border with Azerbaijan in Ararat Province.[180]

On 15 October 2021, Azerbaijani MoD reported that an Azerbaijani soldier was killed by Armenian sniper fire.[181]

On 15 and 16 October 2021, Armenian media reported that Azerbaijani forces shelled the village of Yeraskh, causing fires which damaged crops.[182][183]

November 2021 edit

Between 12 and 15 November 2021, Azerbaijan extended its blockade of southern Armenia by installing additional border checkpoints on the roads between and leading to the cities of Goris and Kapan.[58]

On 16 November 2021, clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place at the Syunik–Gegharkunik/Kalbajar–Lachin regions. At least seven Azerbaijani and 15 Armenian soldiers were killed,[12][184] with 32 Armenian soldiers captured.[38]

It appeared that Azerbaijan was using force to coerce Armenia into signing an agreement with various objectives: to demarcate their shared border, to establish an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia to Nakhchivan, and for Armenia to reaffirm that Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan.[184][58][185][43] Haqqin, a pro-government Azerbaijani news agency, wrote "Azerbaijan has demonstrated that it is prepared to inflict the final blow against Armenia. For good. After this, Yerevan will have no alternative to return to the negotiating table."[184] Although Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia provoked the fighting, geolocation footage indicated the Azerbaijani forces had made incursions clearly inside Armenia proper.[186]

The clashes ended at 18:30 local time after a Russian-mediated ceasefire.[187] On November 16, Pashinyan said that Azerbaijani forces occupied about 41 square kilometres (16 sq mi) of Armenia. The figure of 41 square kilometers (15 sq. mi.) has been used since May, which would suggest that no new land was occupied in this newest round of fighting, but this contradicted with the Armenian MOD report, according to which Armenia has lost two military positions on 16 November.[188]

On November 17, a joint statement was issued by various EU officials: Marina Kaljurand (the European Union's chair of the delegation for relations with the South Caucasus), Andrey Kovatchev (the European Parliament's standing rapporteur on Armenia), and Željana Zovko (the European Parliament's standing rapporteur on Azerbaijan). These EU officials called the military operation launched by Azerbaijan on 16 November 2021 "the worst violation to date of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement" and "condemn[ed] any attempts at "borderisation", as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory.[51]

On 22 November 2021, an Armenian soldier was killed by Azerbaijani forces near the village of Norabak in Gegharkunik province.[27]

December 2021 edit

On December 3, a 65-year-old civilian, Seyran Sargsyan, from the Chartar village of Martuni district was captured and killed by the Azerbaijani military. The Russian peacekeepers have started and investigation on the case involving both sides.[189][190]

On 4 December, Azerbaijan freed 10 captured Armenian soldiers captured from the 16 November clashes in exchange of maps detailing the location of landmines in Nagorno Karabakh, the agreement was achieved with Russian mediation.[191]

On 9 December, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence announced that an Azerbaijani soldier was killed in a skirmish with Armenian forces on the Azeri-Armenian border.[13]

On 10 December, the Armenian Ministry of Defence announced that an Armenian soldier was killed after clashes with Azerbaijani forces on the Gegharkunik area of the Armenian-Azerbijani border.[28]

On 18 December, two Azerbaijani servicemen were captured by Armenian forces near Lachin, the soldiers were later released.[21]

January 2022 edit

On 11 January, one Azerbaijani soldier and three Armenian soldiers were killed in a shootout in the Verin Shorzha area of Armenia's Gegharkunik province.[192][193][40]

April 2022 edit

On 6 April, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President İlham Aliyev met in Brussels for peace talks mediated by the European Council President Charles Michel.[194][195]

On 6 April, the government of Azerbaijan said that Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijani military positions deployed in the Republic of Armenia's north-eastern borderline. However, Armenia's Defense Ministry refuted this.[196]

September 2022 edit

Main article: September 2022 Armenia–Azerbaijan clashes
 
Azerbaijani strikes on Armenian territory between September 12 and 14, 2022

On the morning of 12 September 2022, Azerbaijan initiated an unprovoked invasion of Armenia, striking positions along a 200 km (100 mile) stretch of their shared border.[197][198][199][200] Azerbaijan offensives hit 23 locations as far as 40 km (25 miles) within Armenia in the Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor provinces.[201][202][203][204][205] Azerbaijani forces attacked military and civilian positions in Vardenis, Goris, Sotk, Jermuk, and other cities[206] with artillery, drones, and heavy weapons.[61][207][208][209] At least 105 Armenian soldiers and 71 Azerbaijani military personnel were killed.[210][211]

Azerbaijan claimed that Armenian forces had staged "large-scale subversive acts" using "saboteurs" who planted landmines,[205][212][213][211] an allegation the government spread during the days following the invasion[214] and also echoed by Azerbaijan's ally Turkey.[214] Various journalists, politicians, and political analysts have scrutinized these allegations and consider them unfounded or unverifiable.[197][198][199][200][215][216][217] Arkady Dubnov, a political scientist and expert on the Southern Caucasus said "This doesn't look convincing, and everyone understands that this was a contrived excuse. No Azeri officials have provided any evidence to substantiate the incursion."[218]

According to Thomas de Waal, political analyst and author of several books on the Caucasus, some media outlets misleadingly described the fighting as "border clashes" and made reference to the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh despite the fact "no fighting took place in Karabakh...or indeed in Azerbaijani territory; it was all inside the territory of Armenia."[219] Around 30 or 40 towns and villages located in sovereign Armenian territory were attacked, resulting in 7,600 people being displaced.[220] According to certain media reports Azerbaijan used large-calibre weapons such as Grad missiles to target civilian settlements.[205] Azerbaijani President Aliyev later directly referred to the invasion in a speech, making irredentist statements about Armenian territory and confirming that Azerbaijan forces now control strategic highground in the area:[221] "As a result of this [September 2022] military operation, our historical cities are now in front of our eyes through visual observation."[222] Following Azerbaijan's attacks, pro-government media outlets and notable politicians within the country called for occupation of more Armenian land, claiming that a "buffer zone" was needed to deter "Armenian provocations.".[128][129]

On 15 September 2022 at 12:20 a.m., Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan announced that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan;[223] however, Azerbaijan did not confirm the ceasefire in any public statement.[223][200] The fighting ended with Azerbaijani troops taking control of new positions deep inside Armenia, with at least 7600 civilians displaced from Armenian provinces.[224][225]

Due to Azerbaijan's September attacks of Armenia, various foreign embassies including those of France, Britain, and the United States, have issued travel advisories against visiting southern Armenia and areas which share a border with Azerbaijan, including the provinces of Syunik, Vayots Dzor, as well as southern Gegharkunik, and parts of Tavush.[226]

October 2022 edit

Main article: European Union Monitoring Capacity to Armenia

On 6 October 2022, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met at the first European Political Community summit in Prague in an attempt to resolve the long running Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the recent Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis. Following the meeting, it was stated that the two parties agreed to the deployment of a European Union led mission, which would be deployed on the Armenian side of their shared border for a period of two months, starting in October 2022.[227][228] The stated aim of the mission is to "build confidence and, through its reports, to contribute to the border commissions" work towards delimitation of the border between the two parties. On October 12, nearly a month after Azerbaijan's attack, the Security Council of Armenia said there would be a peace deal between the two countries by the end of the year.[229]

The OSCE also sent a Needs Assessment Team to Armenia between 21 and 27 October 2022, following a request made by the government of Armenia. The OSCE sent a group of international experts and representatives of the OSCE Secretariat to assess the situation in certain border areas along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.[230]

January 2023 edit

On 23 January, the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) launched its operations. The objective of the CSDP mission is to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence on the ground, conduct active patrolling and reporting, and to support normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan led by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.[231] EUMA will have an initial mandate of 2 years with the possibility of extension.

April 2023 edit

A skirmish resulting in 7 people dying occurred near the village of Tegh which is the last village on the Lachin Corridor in Armenia before it enters Azerbaijani territory.[232][233] Video footage released by the Armenian Ministry of Defence showed Azerbaijani troops firing after approaching Armenian soldiers who were digging trenches along the border.[234] The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement: "Armenia's territorial integrity must be respected and Azerbaijani forces occupying positions on the Armenian side of the line of contact must withdraw in order to prevent future incidents and preserve the foundations of a lasting peace in the region."[235]

May 2023 edit

On 5 May, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is within reach," following the conclusion of four days of extensive negotiations held in Washington, D.C. Blinken confirmed that progress had been made and was hopeful that President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan would likely come up with a framework agreement on the sidelines of the 2nd European Political Community Summit to be held in Moldova in June 2023.[236]

Following the negotiations held in the US, it was announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan would resume peace talks in Brussels. According to officials, Western allies are encouraging mediation efforts between the two sides. President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan are set to meet with European Council president Charles Michel, followed by another meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron.[237]

Azerbaijani and Armenian forces exchanged artillery fire on 11 May along the border, near the town of Sotk in the Gegharkunik Province, leaving at least one soldier dead with several others wounded.[238] Both sides traded blame.[239][240] Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan installed a checkpoint to the Lachin corridor in 2022.[239]

July 2023 edit

Nikol Pashinyan issued a warning that there is a likely chance of a third war unless both sides can reach a permanent peace.[241]

September 2023 edit

On 3 September 2023, during an interview, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that it was a strategic mistake for Armenia to solely rely on Russia to guarantee its security. Pashinyan stated, "Moscow has been unable to deliver and is in the process of winding down its role in the wider South Caucasus region" and "the Russian Federation cannot meet Armenia's security needs. This example should demonstrate to us that dependence on just one partner in security matters is a strategic mistake." Pashinyan accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to uphold the ceasefire deal of failing to do their job. Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia is trying to diversify its security arrangements, most notably with the European Union and the United States.[242]

On 7 September, speaking at a meeting of senior government officials, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of building up an army on the Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian borders.[243][244]

On 14 September, the Azerbaijani military violated the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh in the early hours of Thursday. Azerbaijani forces used small arms in the shooting in the region.[245]

On 19 September, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Territorial incursions into the Republic of Artsakh edit

Current situation edit

Since March 26, 2023, the Azerbaijani government has formalized its blockade of the Republic of Artsakh by seizing strategic ground around the Lachin corridor both within Artsakh and Armenia, installing a military outpost that blocks a bypass dirt road that provided relief, blocking the old section of the Lachin corridor, and installing a checkpoint at the new section.[246][247][248][249][250][251][252] Azerbaijan has ignored calls from the Russian peacekeepers to observe the 2020 ceasefire conditions and return to their initial territorial positions behind the Line of Contact.[246][253][248][249][254] Azerbaijan has also ignored calls from the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, and other international entities to restore freedom of movement across the Lachin corridor.[255]

Timeline edit

On 11 October 2021, an Armenian civilian named Aram Tepnants was shot dead by Azerbaijani snipers in the town of Martakert. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and stated that Russian peacekeepers launched an investigation involving both sides.[256]

On 8 November 2021, one Armenian civilian was killed and three wounded as Azerbaijani troops opened fire at Armenians repairing a water supply pipe near Shushi. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and stated that Russian peacekeepers launched an investigation involving both sides.[257] The U.S. Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs condemned the killing of the Armenian civilian.[258][259] On 8 March, it was reported that the only gas pipeline leading from Armenia to the Armenian-inhabited enclave of Artsakh was damaged, as tension spiked in the region following the launch of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The energy supply was reportedly disrupted again on the evening of March 21. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Artsakh authorities have accused the Azerbaijan government of deliberately creating additional humanitarian problems for the population of Artsakh.[260][261]

On 24 March, Azerbaijani soldiers crossed the Line of Contact and took control of the village of Farukh, using firearms and drones,[262] with women and children being evacuated from the nearby village of Khramort. Russian peacekeepers were reported to be negotiating with Azerbaijan.[263] On 27 March 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces had withdrawn from the village.[264][265] This statement was refuted by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.[266] On 30 March 2022, Artsakh authorities stated that Azerbaijani forces were still occupying the strategically important Karaglukh heights.[267] On 15 April 2022 Azerbaijani forces crossed the Line of Contact near the village of Seysulan. Later that day, they reportedly agreed to pull back.[268]

Clashes broke out again in late July and early August 2022. On August 1, the Artsakh Defence Army reported that Azerbaijan attempted to breach the line of contact in northern Nagorno-Karabakh, wounding one soldier. Azerbaijan Defence Ministry denied these claims, and the Russian Defence Ministry reported no ceasefire violations that day.[269]

Over the next two days, clashes erupted again, killing one Azerbaijani soldier, two Artsakh Defence Army soldiers, and wounding 14 others. The international community reacted quickly, with Russia accusing Azerbaijan of breaking the fragile ceasefire and the European Union urging an immediate cessation of hostilities.[270]

According to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Artsakhi soldiers had attacked Azerbaijan army posts in the area of Lachin, killing a conscript. In response, the Azerbaijani army stated it conducted an operation called "Revenge" and took control of several strategic heights in Karabakh. The Artsakh Defence Army accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire and declared a partial mobilization. Following the flare-up, Armenia urged the international community to assist in putting an end to Azerbaijan's "aggressive actions".[270]

On 26 August, the Azerbaijani armed forces took full control of the Lachin Corridor area including Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus as part of the 2020 cease-fire agreement.

Reactions edit

 
Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, the Russian military increased its presence within Armenia. Meanwhile, the European Union initiated a civilian monitoring mission in Armenia to ensure stability in the border areas with Azerbaijan. Blue points correspond to locations of increased Russian military presence. Red points correspond to current or future field offices of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).

Various countries, supranational organizations, and human rights organizations have called for an end to the hostilities and supporting bilateral border demarcation, respecting the terms of the 2020 ceasefire agreement, and for Azerbaijan to pull back its forces from Armenian territory.

Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, both Russia and the European Union have increased their presence in Armenia along the border with Azerbaijan in order to improve stability of the border and deter offensives from Azerbaijan.[271][272] Upon Armenia's request, Russia's Federal Security Service expanded its patrols within Armenia and the EU contributed a civilian monitoring mission to Armenia. However, while both entities have deterred the possibility of full-scale warfare, they have been unable to fully prevent Azerbaijan's goals.[273]

Russia and the European Union have criticized each other's presence within Armenia. The European Union encouraged Armenia to seek alternative security alliances given "Russia's alleged readiness to guarantee the security of Armenia has proven to be non-existent."[274] Russia, in turn, criticized the EU and claims it is an effort by the West to diminish Russia's power in the region.[275] In January 2023, an EU official said that there were cases where EUMCAP monitors were turned back by Russian border guards within Armenia, even though they were accompanied by Armenian Defense officials.[272]

Supranational organizations edit

  •   European Union – The European Parliament declared that the entry of troops from Azerbaijan into the territory of Armenia amount to a violation of the territorial integrity of Armenia and of international law; whereas this violation of Armenian sovereign territory follows worrying statements by Azerbaijani representatives, including the president, which appeared to raise territorial claims and threaten the use of force and thereby undermine the efforts towards security and stability in the region.[45] The European Parliament also issued a report in March 2023, condemning Azerbaijan's attack of Armenia in 2022 and—considering CSTO's inaction during the invasion—encouraged Armenia to seek alternative security alliances.[274][276] Following the November 2021 escalation, the EU Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus released a statement expressing serious concern over the "military operation launched by Azerbaijan in response to alleged provocations" and condemned "any attempts at "borderisation", as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May".[53] MEPs also condemned "Türkiye's expansionist and destabilizing role in the South Caucasus" given that it is Azerbaijan's traditional ally in the conflict.[277]
  •   Council of Europe – The organization issued a report stating "While it is difficult to negotiate with a party [Azerbaijan] keen to employ hate rhetoric and even denying Armenia's territorial integrity, it is crucial for Armenia to continue to do its utmost to contribute to the de-escalation of the tensions on the ground."[278] Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić stated, "Reports of escalating armed hostilities around the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are very alarming. Disagreements between Council of Europe member States must be resolved peacefully through negotiations. Recent direct contacts between the highest authorities of both countries were promising and should be continued. When entering the Council of Europe, Armenia and Azerbaijan committed to resolve the conflict peacefully. That commitment must be respected. The Council of Europe is ready to assist in reconciliation efforts which contribute to achieving a peaceful settlement".[279]
  •   OSCE – The U.S. representative stated, "We expect Azerbaijan to pull back all forces and call on both sides to begin immediately negotiations to demarcate their shared international borders."[148] The Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group took note of the reported detention of six Armenian soldiers on 27 May and called for the release of all prisoners of war and other detainees on an all for all basis.[280] Together, the Council of Europe, the OSCE also offered diplomatic services to resolve the conflict which privately "outraged" Baku.[54]
  •   Collective Security Treaty Organization – a military alliance in Eurasia consisting of several post-Soviet states, declared that it is closely monitoring the situation evolving in Syunik and if necessary, measures will be taken according to CSTO policy.[281] The CSTO declined to provide assistance to Armenia in both May 2021 and September 2022. Former Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said that only in the most extreme case would the organization use force against a former Soviet Republic.[89]
  •   NATO – Javier Colomina, special Representative for the Caucasus & Central Asia, called for 'an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent de-escalation'.[67]

Countries edit

 
Arshak Karapetyan and Lynne Tracy discussed the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on 30 August 2020.
  •   Canada – Commenting on Azerbaijan's September 2022 attacks, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly tweeted that "Canada is very concerned by the rise in hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia. We urge for de-escalation, full respect of the ceasefire, and return to meaningful dialogue via the OSCE."[282][283]
  •   Estonia – Marina Kaljurand, foreign minister, MEP, and chair of the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus, condemned Azerbaijan's "large-scale military attack", adding that Azerbaijan is "taking advantage of the global and regional situation created by the aggression of Russia against Ukraine".[67]
  •   France – Following Azerbaijan's incursions in May 2021, President Emmanuel Macron wrote "Azerbaijan's armed forces have invaded Armenian territory. They must be immediately withdrawn."[132]
  •   India – Commenting on Azerbaijan's September 2022 attacks, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry called on the "aggressor side to immediately cease hostilities" adding that they "have seen reports of attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including targeting of civilian settlements and infrastructure."[284]
  •   Iran – Mojtaba Zolnouri, the head of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, declared that Tehran will categorically not accept any change in international borders in the region and that the territorial integrity of the countries in the region must be preserved. "Therefore, if part of the territory of Armenia is to be taken and our border conditions change, that is, to have a new neighbor, it is not acceptable for us," Zolnouri said.[285] Later, in a meeting with the acting Armenian Foreign Minister, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed that any redrawing of the borders is a red line for Iran.[286] Analysts consider Iran's decision to open a consulate in Syunik in August 2022 to be an expression of diplmatic support for Armenia's territorial integrity.[287][288] Iran has also offered diplomatic mediation assistance in July 2021 after fighting along the border.[289]
  •   Pakistan – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the support from people and government of Pakistan for Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pakistan is the only country in the world that does not recognize Armenia as a country since the creation of new states of Azerbaijan and Armenia after collapse of Soviet union to show a solidarity and support with Azerbaijani people on Nagorno-Karabkh conflict.
  •   Russia – President Vladimir Putin urged both countries to respect the ceasefire agreement, and that Russia will continue mediating efforts. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "The Armenian side expressed extreme concern over the situation at the border", and that "President Putin shared this concern".[142] Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia sees no reason to escalate emotions with regard to the situation at the border: "Not a single shot was fired, no skirmishes took place there. They sat down, calmly began to discuss how to defuse this situation, and asked us for assistance. Our military provided such assistance, an agreement was reached. I do not see any reason to escalate emotions in connection with this quite non-routine, but in any case calmly settled issue."[290]
  •   Turkey – The AKP's spokesperson, Ömer Çelik, condemned Armenia's "aggressive policies"; and also said, "We condemn this attack in the strongest manner." Çelik added that Turkey would oppose Armenian efforts to "endanger" the region.[291] He also criticized France's pro-Armenia response;[292] urging other countries to condemn "Armenian attacks". Celik clarified that "Turkey will support Azerbaijan in whatever they want" and accused Armenia of violating Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.[293]
  •   United States – The State Department initially voiced concerns regarding "increased tensions along a non-demarcated portion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border", urging "restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully".[44] Later on, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter stated that the United States were monitoring the situation closely, and that it expected Azerbaijan to "immediately pull back its forces" and "cease further provocation":[294]

The United States is concerned by recent developments along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the detention of several Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces. We call on both sides to urgently and peacefully resolve this incident. We also continue to call on Azerbaijan to release immediately all prisoners of war and other detainees, and we remind Azerbaijan of its obligations under international humanitarian law to treat all detainees humanely.[295][296]

In his 27 May 2021 press statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the U.S. considers any movements along the non-demarcated areas of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be provocative and unnecessary and rejects the use of force to demarcate the border, calling on both sides to return to their previous positions and to cease military fortification of the non-demarcated border and the emplacement of landmines. Specifically, the U.S. called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to relocate their forces to the positions they held on 11 May, to de-escalate tensions, and create space for a peaceful negotiation process to demarcate the border on an urgent basis.[297] During his visit to Foreign Ministry of Armenia on 10 June 2021, the Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker reaffirmed the U.S. position on the necessity to withdraw Azerbaijani forces from Armenian border.[298] Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote a letter in February 2023 criticizing the US Commerce Department for exporting weapons to Azerbaijan, highlighting "well-documented and credible allegations of Azerbaijan's atrocities against Armenians – including the deaths and displacement of thousands of Armenians in the wake of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War, the 2022 invasion of Armenia, in addition to Baku's ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor."[299]

Other organizations edit

  • Reporters Without Borders – reported on 23 June 2021 that a group of Spanish journalists have been threatened with death by Azerbaijani forces while reporting on their position in the Gegharkunik province. RWB condemned "this unacceptable act toward journalists".[300]
  • Freedom House – condemned Azerbaijan's attacks on Armenia, stating "military attacks on sovereign nations have no place in the rules-based international order".[209] The organization also said "With its dependence on authoritarian Russia for military protection against Azerbaijan, its openly hostile and equally authoritarian neighbor, Armenia's democratic project faces uniquely powerful headwinds," adding that "there are abundant indications that an expansion of Baku's control over...parts of Armenia would eliminate the freedoms and security of local people in much the same way [as Moscow's seizure of Ukrainian territory]".[301]
  • Human Rights Watch – analyzed several videos of inhumane killings of Armenian prisoners-of-war by Azerbaijani forces,[302] describing them as war crimes: Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch said "These soldiers had been captured and laid down their arms. Their captors had an obligation to treat them humanely, and instead it appears that Azerbaijani forces shot them in cold blood. Now they need to be held accountable."[303]
  • Armenian National Committee of America – Its program director, Alex Galitsky, wrote "by violating Armenia's sovereignty, Baku has demonstrated that this conflict was never truly about the principle of territorial integrity for Azerbaijan. After all, if Azerbaijan's objectives were limited to territorial control, there would not have been systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage sites, the deliberate targeting of civilians, and exceedingly inflammatory rhetoric from the regime in Baku seeking to erase the very existence of the Armenian people."[304]
  • Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Vanadzor – Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist and chair of the organization wrote "If Armenia does not show determination now and does not get out of the deadlock of the CSTO-Eurasian Union-trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 and does not take a step toward becoming part of the United States-France-European Union civilized system, then Putin, Erdogan and Aliyev will devour Armenia."[305]
  • Fund for Peace – The institute wrote, "The most recent attacks [by Azerbaijan in September 2022] are, in part, responsible for Armenia's rise from 97th to 93rd most fragile state this year, and even more significantly, the rise from 108th most fragile in 2019," adding that "As peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue, the international community has the opportunity to support genocide prevention in Armenia and Azerbaijan."
  • World Federalist Movement – Following Azerbaijan's September 2022 attacks, the organization said "This aggression was predictable in light of the international community's failure to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey's war crimes during the 44-day war and the community's mute response to post 2020 developments, lacking any condemnation of actions by Baku." The organization also called for the international community to act, stating that "the sanctions that should be applied against Azerbaijan should be similar to those applied against Russia by the western powers as both are threat to democracies."[306]

Analysis edit

Azerbaijani narrative edit

Azerbaijan has defended its military activities within sovereign Armenian territory using various narratives: claiming that, without formal border demarcation its soldiers cannot be accused of occupation,[123][127] its soldiers were merely accessing Azerbaijani territory inaccessible due to poor weather conditions,[137][307] it is responding to Armenian "provocations",[205][212][308][211] and that it is defending Azerbaijan's "territorial integrity".[309] Azerbaijan has also frequently given "Revenge" titles to its military operations against Armenia and Artsakh, claiming that it is exacting retribution for alleged deaths of its soldiers.[310][311][312][313] Azerbaijani media outlets and notable politicians within the country called for occupation of more Armenian land after Azerbaijan's September 2022 attacks, claiming that a "buffer zone" was needed to deter "Armenian provocations."[128][129]

Various journalists, politicians, and political analysts have scrutinized several of these allegations and consider them unfounded or unverifiable.[197][198][199][200][215][217] Political analysts and genocide scholars say that Azerbaijan employs a "mirroring" tactic which is common among genocidal regimes and here "involves accusing Armenia and Armenians of committing the crimes that it itself has committed or is planning to commit."[314][315][316] Commenting on Azerbaijan's May 2021 incursion, Eurasianet noted "while those [Soviet-era] maps were not meant to strictly delineate an international border, they do all appear to show that most of Sev Lake is in Armenian territory, which would mean an [Azerbaijani] attempt to surround it would be an infiltration."[307]

Critics have argued that Azerbaijan's September 2022 attacks on Armenia undermined the government's official narrative of "territorial integrity", noting that for the last 10 years Azerbaijan has increasingly promoted expansionist territorial claims against sovereign Armenian territory (distinct from Nagorno-Karabakh).[317][318]

"Borderization" of Armenia edit

Borderization refers to the physical demarcation of a border which prevents the free movement of people and goods.[2]

Laurence Broers, South Caucasus programme director at London-based peacebuilding organization Conciliation Resources, wrote "Azerbaijan's attack demonstrated the potential for Armenia to be cut in two, given it is a mere 40 kilometres (25 miles) across at its narrowest point."[319] Laurence Broers also says that Azerbaijan's motivations are to have Armenia formally relinquish any claim to Artsakh: "Baku is seeking to avoid a repeat of the 1990s – where the militarily victorious side, then Armenia, was not able to consolidate its victory into a favorable peace from a position of strength."[54]

The analyst argues that Azerbaijan is using "coercive bargaining strategy" in order to extract concessions from Armenia on various issues, including minefield maps, the Syunik corridor, and that never-demarcated borders allow conversion of dated or ambiguous cartographies into better positions for Azerbaijan. This "borderization", according to Broers, also pressures Russia by showing that Russian security guarantees to Armenia are tractable relative to other issues; testing CSTO collective security guarantees and testing Russia's capacity to broker.[320] Broers further expanded on the theme of "borderization" of Armenia by Azerbaijan in his review published by Chatham House.[321] The tactics applied by Azerbaijan towards Armenia after the 2020 war were described as "borderization" tactics in an article published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs on June 16, 2021.[322] Joint statement on 17 November 2021 by the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, Marina Kaljurand, the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia Andrey Kovatchev and the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Željana Zovko called the military operation launched by Azerbaijan on 16 November 2021 the worst violation to-date since ceasefire agreement, condemning any attempts at "borderisation", as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May 2021.[51]

According to the geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor, "Azerbaijan remains unlikely to launch a large-scale military operation to seize large swaths of new territory in Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenia, as less costly methods can enable Baku to maintain progress toward its goals. Each time Azerbaijani forces gain ground, it improves their tactical position — even if those territorial gains only move the de facto line of contact by a matter of meters."[323]

Inaction of Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization edit

Russia is ostensibly Armenia's security guarantor due to the countries sharing a bilateral security alliance[324] and their joint membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which stipulates that members assist each other in order to protect territorial integrity:

In the case of aggression (an armed attack threatening safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty) against any Member States, all other Member States at request of this Member State shall immediately provide the latter with the necessary aid, including military."

— CSTO charter, Article 4

However, neither Russia nor other members of the military alliance are providing military assistance against Azerbaijan's offensive. Various political analysts and politicians have said that Azerbaijan's attacks were emboldened by Russia's preoccupation with its invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan's military ties with Russia,[325] Azerbaijan's economic ties with Russia other European powers, and Russia's own interest in creating the "Zangezur corridor."[326][327][328][329][330]

Armenia requested CSTO's assistance two times, following various territorial incursions by Azerbaijan: in March 2021.[141][142][143][144] and in September 2022. The CSTO declined Armenia's request both times.[305] Instead of providing immediate assistance following Azerbaijan's September 2022 attack, the CSTO opted to send a "fact-finding mission" one week later and stated that it did not anticipate sending military aid even before the mission arrived.[305]

The CSTO's inaction in helping Armenia prompted the European Parliament to encourage Armenia to seek alternative security alliances.[274][276] Nerses Kopalyan, a political scientist, wrote that "The Russian peacekeepers function more like an impotent observation mission than an armed contingent."[331]

Nikolay Bordyuzha, the former longtime secretary general of the CSTO said "the issue is Armenian territory, the ownership of which is not under question," adding that "the entire international community sees this territory as the sovereign territory of Armenia. According to its own documents, the CSTO is obliged to react in the case of an incursion by the armed forces of another state."[332][148] Neil Hauer, a journalist specializing in the Caucasus points out that Azerbaijan's September 2022 invasion of Armenia occurred only a few days after Russia's forces experienced military setbacks in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and the "CSTO was exposed as a paper tiger."[214]

Inaction of the European Union edit

Various critics argue that the conflict is not being presented in the West in the same light as the Russian invasion of Ukraine despite the fact that Armenia is making democratic reforms against Azerbaijan's increasingly authoritarian state.[333][334][335][336]

Azerbaijan is a major exporter of oil and gas to Europe[337] and, with the aim to reduce its dependence on Russian imports, the European Union signed a gas-supply agreement with Azerbaijan in July 2022, which has been perceived as emboldening Azerbaijan's actions.[319][214]

However, political scientist, Suren Surenyants, considers it positive that European MEPs have "declared the September military actions [by Azerbaijan] an occupation and did not link this aggression with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." But Surenyants does not expect Azerbaijan's occupation of Armenia to end without concrete action from the international community: "Azerbaijanis are carrying out engineering work on the sovereign Armenian territory, equipping positions. Not a single international structure, not a single geopolitical center created a situation for Aliyev in which he would be forced to leave these territories."[118]

The EU has attempted to mediate a "peace agreement" between Armenia and Azerbaijan that includes a Joint Border Commission to delimit the countries' mutual boundary line. Commenting on this, Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst said "What I'm seeing now is an attempt by the European Union [...] to establish a victor's peace at the expense of Armenia where Armenian interests are not taken into consideration at all."[338] The EU has treated both Armenia and Azerbaijan as equal parties despite the asymmetry in military and political power between the countries. The EU's response to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh has been limited to vague statements that are bothsidist in nature, without naming the aggressor.[339] Since the 2020 war, every military escalation has resulted Azerbaijani forces gaining ground, which political scientist Karena Avedissian, describes as the "creeping annexation" of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.[339]

See also edit

References edit

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  274. ^ a b c Kovatchev, Andrey. "Report on EU-Armenia relations | A9-0036/2023 | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 18 March 2023. Whereas Russia's alleged readiness to guarantee the security of Armenia has proven to be non-existent, as demonstrated by its lack of response to Azerbaijan's continuous attacks even in the light of Armenia's attempt to resort to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO); [The European Parliament] Recalls that the clauses of the CSTO were not activated either during the 2020 war or in September 2022, despite Armenian requests; encourages Armenia, in order to ensure better protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to consider the possibility of diversifying its partnerships and potential security alliances with its regional and Euro-Atlantic partners, as its long-standing reliance on Russia and its allies in the CSTO has proved insufficient.
December 15, 2023
armenia, azerbaijan, border, crisis, article, lead, section, need, rewritten, please, help, improve, lead, read, lead, layout, guide, august, 2023, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, this, article, needs, updated, please, help, update, this, article. The article s lead section may need to be rewritten Please help improve the lead and read the lead layout guide August 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information November 2023 Armenia Azerbaijan border crisisPart of the Nagorno Karabakh conflictMap showing the location of the clashes on the Armenia Azerbaijan borderDate12 May 2021 present 2 years and 7 months LocationArmenia Azerbaijan border Syunik Lachin border Vayots Dzor Kalbajar border Gegharkunik Kalbajar border Gegharkunik Dashkasan border Tavush Tovuz border Armenia Nakhchivan borderStatusOngoingTerritorialchangesAzerbaijan occupies parts of the Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces adjacent to the Armenia Azerbaijan border 215 square kilometers 83 square miles of Armenian territory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Belligerents Azerbaijan ArmeniaCommanders and leadersIlham Aliyev Ali Asadov Zakir Hasanov Karim Valiyev Karam MustafayevNikol Pashinyan Armen Sarkissian until 1 February Vahagn Khachaturyan from 13 March Vagharshak Harutiunyan until 20 July 9 Artak Davtyan Suren Papikyan from 16 November Casualties and lossesPer Azerbaijan At least 91 servicemen killed 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 296 servicemen injured 17 18 19 20 2 servicemen captured 21 later released Per Armenia At least 232 servicemen killed 22 23 24 25 26 12 27 28 29 328 servicemen injured 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 servicemen captured 37 38 20 later released 39 40 22 non combatants killed International Crisis Group 41 Map showing the territories of Armenia occupied by Azerbaijan 2023 The military forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in a border conflict since 12 May 2021 when Azerbaijani soldiers crossed several kilometers miles into Armenia in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik Azerbaijan is currently occupying at least 215 square kilometres 83 sq mi of Armenian territory 1 42 43 44 45 46 Azerbaijan has not withdrawn its troops from internationally recognised Armenian territory despite calls to do so by the European Parliament United States and France two of three co chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group 47 48 Since the end of the Second Nagorno Karabakh War Azerbaijan has made numerous incursions into Armenian territory 49 Since the end of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War Azerbaijan has regularly violated the November ceasefire agreement provoking cross border fights with Armenia 50 51 52 53 It is an established pattern that Azerbaijan instigates cross border incursions or ceasefire violations when its government is unhappy with the pace of negotiations with Armenia 54 55 The crisis escalated in July 2021 with clashes taking place on the Armenia Nakhchivan border and in November 2021 in the Gegharkunik Kalbajar area 51 In August 2021 Azerbaijani forces blockaded southern Armenia Syunik by closing the main north south highway which interrupted all international transit with Iran and forced Armenia to develop alternative roads 56 57 58 59 The largest escalation occurred in September 2022 when Azerbaijan launched the largest attack on the Republic of Armenia in the history of the conflict between the two countries 60 61 62 63 Casualties were reported on both sides 64 Armenia has unsuccessfully requested that the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and Russia independently intervene due to Azerbaijan s military incursions in May 2021 and September 2022 The CSTO and Russia declined to provide assistance both times 65 66 Officials from the European Union and Russia have explicitly condemned Azerbaijan s military operations considering them to be violations of the ceasefire agreement 51 53 67 68 69 52 Prior to August 2021 the Russian peacekeepers had made neutral statements calling for both sides to de escalate rather than explicitly blame Azerbaijan for the fighting 68 69 52 In order to strengthen the border against Azerbaijan s military incursions Armenia allocated additional defense areas to border guards of the Russian Federal Security Service 70 71 Although the mission has been condemned by Azerbaijan and Russia the EU has sent a CSDP civilian monitoring mission to Armenia to contribute to stability along the border and deter offensives by Azerbaijan 72 73 74 42 The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has made numerous threats to Armenia making statements such as Armenia must accept our conditions if Armenians wish to live comfortably on an area of 29 000 square kilometers 11 000 sq mi and they must not forget that Armenian villages are visible from here 75 76 77 78 79 Since Azerbaijan s offensives Armenia s borders with Azerbaijan have become militarized which has disrupted the livelihoods of residents in border communities residents have been targeted and can no longer access farmlands schools water resources relatives or religious sites 80 81 82 83 Fearing for their safety many Armenian villagers have moved away permanently 84 85 86 Contents 1 Background 2 Armenian territory occupied by Azerbaijan 3 Timeline 3 1 May 2021 3 2 July 2021 3 3 August 2021 3 4 September 2021 3 5 October 2021 3 6 November 2021 3 7 December 2021 3 8 January 2022 3 9 April 2022 3 10 September 2022 3 11 October 2022 3 12 January 2023 3 13 April 2023 3 14 May 2023 3 15 July 2023 3 16 September 2023 4 Territorial incursions into the Republic of Artsakh 4 1 Current situation 4 2 Timeline 5 Reactions 5 1 Supranational organizations 5 2 Countries 5 3 Other organizations 6 Analysis 6 1 Azerbaijani narrative 6 2 Borderization of Armenia 6 3 Inaction of Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization 6 4 Inaction of the European Union 7 See also 8 ReferencesBackground editMain articles Armenia Azerbaijan border and Second Nagorno Karabakh War Armenia and Azerbaijan have not officially demarcated their mutual borders since becoming independent states following collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 87 88 The issue of border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan arose immediately after the defeat of Armenia in the Second Nagorno Karabakh War and Azerbaijan regaining control over its occupied territories Before the 2020 war there was no mutually agreed upon border between Armenia and Azerbaijan with certain Armenian villages and agricultural workers crossing over into Azerbaijan 89 During Soviet times cross border interactions and movements were common 85 90 91 The issue of exclaves enclaves is another border related issue there is an exclave called Artsvashen which is formally part of Soviet era Armenia but controlled by and situated entirely within the current Republic of Azerbaijan likewise the exclaves of Tigranashen Voskepar and Barkhudarly are formally part of Soviet era Azerbaijan but controlled by and situated entirely within the current Republic of Armenia 87 Following the Second Nagorno Karabakh War physical demarcation of the borders commenced in certain areas using excavators 88 Azerbaijan used Armenia s main north south highway and Google Maps to unofficially demarcate the border between the southern regions of the two countries 85 88 92 Armenian residents who lived on the east side of the highway were given three days to leave 85 93 Azerbaijan built many new border posts often using Armenian roads under the escort of Russian military 85 Intimidated by the presence of Azerbaijani military certain Armenians living in border regions limited the number of trips to the region using the main highway others moved away permanently 85 Both Armenia and Azerbaijan agree that Soviet maps will form the basis of border delineation 85 94 Since the end of the war Azerbaijan has increasingly promoted expansionist claims to Armenian territory which it describes as Western Azerbaijan 95 96 97 98 which have been perceived as a bargaining strategy to force Armenians to relinquish control of Artsakh 99 and concede the Zangezur corridor 100 The Azerbaijani government has also successfully petitioned Google to remove historical Armenian place names from maps of Artsakh 101 102 In April 2021 Azerbaijan s president Ilham Aliyev made irredentist claims over Armenia s capital Yerevan Zangezur Syunik and Sevan Gegharkunik declaring that they are historical lands of Azerbaijan 103 104 He said that if Armenia would not agree to provide a corridor from Nakhchivan to western Azerbaijan through Armenia s Syunik Province then Azerbaijan would establish it through the use of force claiming that Azerbaijani people would return to what he described as West Zangazur 105 106 107 108 Turkey supports Azerbaijan and also seeks territorial control over Armenia s Syunik province 109 A joint statement by the European Parliament Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus Marina Kaljurand and Standing Rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan Andrey Kovatchev and Zeljana Zovko condemned the statements made by the Azerbaijani side To de escalate the situation we condemn in particular recent statements by Azerbaijani representatives regarding so called West Zangezur and referring to the territory of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani ancestral land Such statements are highly irresponsible and threaten to undermine regional security further 110 The day of Azerbaijan s first military incursion on 12 May 2021 it announced it was holding a four day exercise involving 15 000 soldiers involving tanks missile systems and aviation units among other military resources 111 112 Armenian territory occupied by Azerbaijan editAzerbaijani soldiers are occupying internationally recognized Armenian territory and conducting engineering and fortification works 3 113 44 114 115 116 4 117 118 119 Estimates of the amount of territory occupied vary between 50 and 215 square kilometers 20 and 83 sq mi with some local Armenian officials and farmers claiming that the Azerbaijani military has made bigger territorial gains than is admitted by officials in Yerevan 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 120 121 European PACE monitors have observed the presence of Azerbaijani military positions within Armenian sovereign territory sometimes well beyond any disputed border line including strategic high ground overlooking the main road linking the capital Yerevan to the Iranian border 122 These strategic heights are in the regions of Gegharkunik Kapan and near the village of Nerkin Khand further south 8 According to International Crisis Group these new positions clearly give Azerbaijan an advantage if fighting resumes since they encircle several Armenian villages and overlook the main road to Syunik which is considered a lifeline for the country s communication s routes to both Iran and Nagorno Karabakh 123 2 Locals fear Azerbaijan will threaten to cut off southern Armenia from the rest of the country unless Armenia surrenders concessions such as the Zangezur corridor 123 Southern Armenia Syunik is often referred to as the backbone of Armenia given that it connects Armenia both to Artsakh as well as to Iran 124 With 80 of Armenia s borders being closed since Turkey and Azerbaijan s 30 year long blockade 125 the border with Iran comprises one of only two open international borders to Armenia 124 Since Azerbaijan s military incursions Armenia s eastern border has become militarized it has been common for Armenian farmers in border areas to be shot at and for their livestock to be robbed 81 82 An article published in Jacobin summarizes the situation as Azerbaijan kidnaps tortures rapes and executes Armenians in the border regions 126 Fearing for their safety many Armenian villagers have stopped using land previously used for agricultural purposes and others have moved away permanently 84 85 82 Azerbaijan has not withdrawn its troops from internationally recognised Armenian territory despite calls to do so by the European Parliament United States and France the latter two which comprise two of three co chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Azerbaijan argues that it cannot be accused of occupying Armenian lands without official border demarcation 123 127 Azerbaijani media outlets and notable politicians within the country have called for the occupation of more Armenian land 128 129 Timeline editMay 2021 edit On 12 May hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers crossed several kilometres miles into Armenian territory and occupied territory within the provinces of Gegharkunik and Syunik 130 89 131 The same day Azerbaijan announced it was holding a four day exercise involving 15 000 soldiers tanks missile systems and aviation units 111 112 In Syunik Azerbaijani soldiers attempted to surround Lake Sev 44 89 The soldiers advanced towards civilian settlements scaring local agricultural workers 84 Incursions by Azerbaijani soldiers were also observed in Verishen and Sisian within Syunik 132 133 134 In Gegharkunik Azerbaijani incursions were also observed including in Vardenis 135 130 132 133 134 with certain media outlets reporting that Azerbaijani forces had captured areas there 136 The Armenian National Security Service warned of the legal consequences of reporting misinformation that cause s panic 136 Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said negotiations were ongoing for an Azerbaijani withdrawal and that Armenian forces had stopped the advance without any skirmishes having taken place citation needed nbsp Lake Sev as seen from the peak of Mets Ishkhanasar mountain in ArmeniaAzerbaijan claims that its forces did not cross into Armenia and merely took up positions that were inaccessible in winter months adding that the border between the two countries was never formally demarcated following the collapse of the Soviet Union 137 However Soviet maps from 1975 show that over 90 of Sev Lake is in Armenian territory with only a small section of the northern shore situated within Azerbaijan SSR 44 138 139 The map also shows the adjacent smaller Lake Janlich Jinli as entirely in Armenian territory 138 140 139 The Azerbaijani side showed a map with the entire Sev lake belonging to Azerbaijan and refused to leave the territory 89 84 On 13 May the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces crossed the Armenian border in two other sections 134 The same day Nikol Pashinyan said that 250 Azerbaijani soldiers remained within Armenia s internationally recognized borders 134 On 14 May the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan formally appealed to the Russian led Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO to hold consultations regarding the Azerbaijani incursion into Armenia 141 142 143 144 Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials convened at the border together with representatives of the Russian military deployed in the Syunik Province for several hours of negotiations without any immediate resulting agreement being announced afterwards 141 Pashinyan also said in a speech on 14 May that French President Emmanuel Macron said that France was ready to provide military assistance if necessary 112 On 15 May Armenia s Defense Ministry stated that the situation regarding the Azerbaijani incursion on 12 13 May remained unresolved with some Azerbaijani soldiers still on Armenian territory and that negotiations in order to bring about a peaceful settlement were ongoing 145 On 15 May the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan responded by saying that it was enforcing the borders of Azerbaijan on the basis of maps available to both sides criticizing the Armenian statements as provocative and inadequate The Ministry also accused the Armenian authorities of using the situation for pre election domestic political purposes 146 147 a claim which is considered unlikely 148 During a call with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev Azerbaijani President Aliyev described Armenia s decision to appeal to the CSTO as an attempt to internationalize the issue 149 On 19 May Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia came up with an initiative to create a joint Armenia Azerbaijan commission on demarcation and delimitation of the borders in which Russia could play the role of a consultant or mediator 150 On 20 May acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia and Azerbaijan were close to an agreement on the creation of a joint commission to demarcate the border between the two countries with Russia acting as a mediator and each country appointing delegates to the commission by 31 May 151 In the morning of 20 May a group of Azerbaijani servicemen crossed the border near the village of Khoznavar in the Goris region walking 1 5 km 1 mile into Armenian territory They were forced back to their original positions by Armenian forces but they then made a second attempt to cross the border in the evening resulting in a fight between Armenian and Azerbaijani servicemen The General Prosecutor s Office of Armenia reported that eleven Armenian soldiers were injured and hospitalized and that there were injuries from the Azerbaijani side too The videos of the incident were leaked on social media initially a video of Azerbaijani military men attacking and beating Armenian soldiers and on the next day another video showing the Armenian Armed Forces expelling Azerbaijani servicemen from their territory appeared 30 On 25 May an Armenian soldier was killed 7 kilometers 5 miles within Armenian territory which Azerbaijan denied 148 The same day all male staff working for the administration of the Sisian community were mobilized into volunteer defense units 148 On 27 May after the tensions rose further after the capture of six Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces early in the morning Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for the deployment of international observers along portions of Armenia s border with Azerbaijan If the situation is not resolved this provocation could inevitably lead to a large scale clash Pashinyan said at an emergency meeting of Armenia s Security Council held in the evening suggesting Armenia and Azerbaijan to pull back their troops from the border areas and let Russia and or the United States and France the two other co chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group deploy their observers there The disengagement of troops and the launch of the monitoring mission should be followed by a process of ascertaining border points supervised by the international community the Prime Minister said 37 On 28 May the EU spokesperson Peter Stano called for immediate de escalation and urged both sides to pull back their forces to positions held before 12 May and engage in negotiations on border delimitation and demarcation welcoming proposals for a possible international observation mission and expressing readiness to provide expertise and help on border delimitation and demarcation The EU continues to call on Azerbaijan to release all prisoners of war and detainees without delay and welcomes all efforts aimed at decreasing tensions 152 July 2021 edit nbsp Military positions of the Armenian forces in the northeastern direction of Armenia which were attacked by Azerbaijani forces on 28 July 2021 according to the Armenian MoDAfter an incident on 6 July in the Agdam District Armenian and Azerbaijani forces clashed again in the directions of Azerbaijan s Tovuz Gadabay Nakhchivan and Shusha districts from 7 to 20 July 153 154 155 On 14 July the Armenian defence ministry stated that the Azerbaijani engineers tried to advance their military positions near Yeraskh in the Nakhchivan section of the Armenia Azerbaijan border and clashes erupted The ministry added that the Azerbaijani side had started shelling Yeraskh using mortars and grenade launchers with an Armenian soldier getting killed 156 23 and the community leader of Yeraskh getting wounded 157 The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that an Azerbaijani soldier stationed near Heydarabad was wounded during the clashes 18 and added that the responsibility for the creation of tension along the state border of the two countries lies entirely with Armenia 158 The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry later on the same day stated that the Armenian forces had fired at the Azerbaijani positions near Istisu in Kalbajar and Aghdam in Tovuz 159 On 19 July further clashes erupted near Yeraskh on Armenia s eastern border with Azerbaijan s Nakhchivan 54 160 On 22 July 2021 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made another irredentist claim over Armenia s province of Syunik also known as Zangezur saying that it is our own territory While in Yerevan Charles Michel called the territories bordering with Armenia disputed To be honest I disagree with this statement Because we believe that these are our territories I believe that this is the territory of Zangezur And Zangezur is the land of our ancestors and we are on our territory Ilham Aliev 161 On 23 July 2021 the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence stated that one of its soldiers was killed by Armenian sniper fire in Kalbajar District near the Armenia Azerbaijan border 10 Meanwhile the Armenian MoD stated that three Armenian servicemen were wounded as Azerbaijani forces opened fire on Armenian positions located in the Gegharkunik section 162 On 28 July 2021 the Human Rights Defender of Armenia reported about intensive firing from the Azerbaijani side between 03 30 and 03 40 targeting civilian buildings in the villages of Verin Shorzha and Saradeghy in the Gegharkunik Province 163 On the same day three Armenian soldiers were killed in renewed clashes with Azerbaijani forces in the Kalbajar District and Gegharkunik Province with four others wounded Armenia accused Azerbaijan of occupying Armenia s sovereign territory as the Azerbaijani side blamed the incident on Armenian forces stating that they opened fire first Azerbaijan also reported 2 soldiers wounded during the skirmish 19 24 32 33 On 29 July the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence stated that Armenian forces broke the ceasefire in the morning using automatic rifles and grenade launchers 164 Armenian authorities then stated that the Azerbaijani side had violated the ceasefire 165 but Azerbaijan denied that it broke the ceasefire 166 An Armenian soldier was wounded in the shootout 34 On 31 July Armenian authorities stated that Azerbaijani forces fired upon a logistic support vehicle delivering food to Armenian military positions in Yeraskh As a result the vehicle was seriously damaged 167 August 2021 edit On 13 August 2021 Armenia and Azerbaijan reported about shelling on the border The Armenian MoD stated that the Azerbaijani units opened fire from various calibre firearms at the Armenian positions in the Gegarkunik section meanwhile Azerbaijan said that the Armenian forces had opened fire in the direction of the Kalbajar and Gadabay Districts 168 On 16 August 2021 two further Armenian soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani forces 25 Vahan Tatosyan died from sniper fire at 09 50hrs in Yeraskh while Arman Hakobyan was killed in Gegharkunik at 18 10hrs 169 170 On 17 August 2021 Armenian Ministry of Defence reported that another Armenian soldier was wounded as a result of a shelling attack from Azerbaijan 171 On 25 August Azerbaijani forces blockaded southern Armenia Syunik by closing the main north south Goris Kapan highway in Armenia in two sections near the villages of Karmrakar and Shurnukh interrupting all international transit with Iran 56 57 The following day Azerbaijani forces blocked another section of the road further north near the village of Vorotan 56 57 The blockade stranded hundreds of Iranian trucks and resulted in the isolation of three villages located in between the closed sections of the road 57 The blockade was alleviated partly under the escorts of Russian border guards which patrol the Armenian side of the border 57 172 173 174 Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan announced that the issue would be solved with the construction of a new north south transport corridor which was completed in November 2021 56 175 On 27 August 2021 the Armenian Human Rights Defender reported that Azerbaijani troops had targeted Kut village Elderly people and children were in the yard at the time of the shooting There were also children in the house at that time On August 27 at around 10 pm Azerbaijani armed forces fired intensively at civilian houses in the village of Kut Gegharkunik region directly targeting the civilian population reported Arman Tatoyan 176 177 September 2021 edit On 1 September 2021 the Armenian soldier Gegham Sahakyan was killed by Azerbaijani sniper fire in Yeraskh 26 178 Following increased tension with Iran Azerbaijan began charging taxes on Iranian truck drivers who deliver supplies to Armenia through the main north south highway which Azerbaijan had previously blockaded 179 October 2021 edit On 9 October 2021 the Armenian MoD reported that an Armenian serviceman Misak Khachatryan was injured by a shot from border with Azerbaijan in Ararat Province 180 On 15 October 2021 Azerbaijani MoD reported that an Azerbaijani soldier was killed by Armenian sniper fire 181 On 15 and 16 October 2021 Armenian media reported that Azerbaijani forces shelled the village of Yeraskh causing fires which damaged crops 182 183 November 2021 edit Between 12 and 15 November 2021 Azerbaijan extended its blockade of southern Armenia by installing additional border checkpoints on the roads between and leading to the cities of Goris and Kapan 58 On 16 November 2021 clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place at the Syunik Gegharkunik Kalbajar Lachin regions At least seven Azerbaijani and 15 Armenian soldiers were killed 12 184 with 32 Armenian soldiers captured 38 It appeared that Azerbaijan was using force to coerce Armenia into signing an agreement with various objectives to demarcate their shared border to establish an extraterritorial corridor through Armenia to Nakhchivan and for Armenia to reaffirm that Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan 184 58 185 43 Haqqin a pro government Azerbaijani news agency wrote Azerbaijan has demonstrated that it is prepared to inflict the final blow against Armenia For good After this Yerevan will have no alternative to return to the negotiating table 184 Although Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia provoked the fighting geolocation footage indicated the Azerbaijani forces had made incursions clearly inside Armenia proper 186 The clashes ended at 18 30 local time after a Russian mediated ceasefire 187 On November 16 Pashinyan said that Azerbaijani forces occupied about 41 square kilometres 16 sq mi of Armenia The figure of 41 square kilometers 15 sq mi has been used since May which would suggest that no new land was occupied in this newest round of fighting but this contradicted with the Armenian MOD report according to which Armenia has lost two military positions on 16 November 188 On November 17 a joint statement was issued by various EU officials Marina Kaljurand the European Union s chair of the delegation for relations with the South Caucasus Andrey Kovatchev the European Parliament s standing rapporteur on Armenia and Zeljana Zovko the European Parliament s standing rapporteur on Azerbaijan These EU officials called the military operation launched by Azerbaijan on 16 November 2021 the worst violation to date of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement and condemn ed any attempts at borderisation as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory 51 On 22 November 2021 an Armenian soldier was killed by Azerbaijani forces near the village of Norabak in Gegharkunik province 27 December 2021 edit On December 3 a 65 year old civilian Seyran Sargsyan from the Chartar village of Martuni district was captured and killed by the Azerbaijani military The Russian peacekeepers have started and investigation on the case involving both sides 189 190 On 4 December Azerbaijan freed 10 captured Armenian soldiers captured from the 16 November clashes in exchange of maps detailing the location of landmines in Nagorno Karabakh the agreement was achieved with Russian mediation 191 On 9 December the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence announced that an Azerbaijani soldier was killed in a skirmish with Armenian forces on the Azeri Armenian border 13 On 10 December the Armenian Ministry of Defence announced that an Armenian soldier was killed after clashes with Azerbaijani forces on the Gegharkunik area of the Armenian Azerbijani border 28 On 18 December two Azerbaijani servicemen were captured by Armenian forces near Lachin the soldiers were later released 21 January 2022 edit On 11 January one Azerbaijani soldier and three Armenian soldiers were killed in a shootout in the Verin Shorzha area of Armenia s Gegharkunik province 192 193 40 April 2022 edit On 6 April Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels for peace talks mediated by the European Council President Charles Michel 194 195 On 6 April the government of Azerbaijan said that Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijani military positions deployed in the Republic of Armenia s north eastern borderline However Armenia s Defense Ministry refuted this 196 September 2022 edit Main article September 2022 Armenia Azerbaijan clashes nbsp Azerbaijani strikes on Armenian territory between September 12 and 14 2022On the morning of 12 September 2022 Azerbaijan initiated an unprovoked invasion of Armenia striking positions along a 200 km 100 mile stretch of their shared border 197 198 199 200 Azerbaijan offensives hit 23 locations as far as 40 km 25 miles within Armenia in the Syunik Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces 201 202 203 204 205 Azerbaijani forces attacked military and civilian positions in Vardenis Goris Sotk Jermuk and other cities 206 with artillery drones and heavy weapons 61 207 208 209 At least 105 Armenian soldiers and 71 Azerbaijani military personnel were killed 210 211 Azerbaijan claimed that Armenian forces had staged large scale subversive acts using saboteurs who planted landmines 205 212 213 211 an allegation the government spread during the days following the invasion 214 and also echoed by Azerbaijan s ally Turkey 214 Various journalists politicians and political analysts have scrutinized these allegations and consider them unfounded or unverifiable 197 198 199 200 215 216 217 Arkady Dubnov a political scientist and expert on the Southern Caucasus said This doesn t look convincing and everyone understands that this was a contrived excuse No Azeri officials have provided any evidence to substantiate the incursion 218 According to Thomas de Waal political analyst and author of several books on the Caucasus some media outlets misleadingly described the fighting as border clashes and made reference to the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh despite the fact no fighting took place in Karabakh or indeed in Azerbaijani territory it was all inside the territory of Armenia 219 Around 30 or 40 towns and villages located in sovereign Armenian territory were attacked resulting in 7 600 people being displaced 220 According to certain media reports Azerbaijan used large calibre weapons such as Grad missiles to target civilian settlements 205 Azerbaijani President Aliyev later directly referred to the invasion in a speech making irredentist statements about Armenian territory and confirming that Azerbaijan forces now control strategic highground in the area 221 As a result of this September 2022 military operation our historical cities are now in front of our eyes through visual observation 222 Following Azerbaijan s attacks pro government media outlets and notable politicians within the country called for occupation of more Armenian land claiming that a buffer zone was needed to deter Armenian provocations 128 129 On 15 September 2022 at 12 20 a m Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan announced that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan 223 however Azerbaijan did not confirm the ceasefire in any public statement 223 200 The fighting ended with Azerbaijani troops taking control of new positions deep inside Armenia with at least 7600 civilians displaced from Armenian provinces 224 225 Due to Azerbaijan s September attacks of Armenia various foreign embassies including those of France Britain and the United States have issued travel advisories against visiting southern Armenia and areas which share a border with Azerbaijan including the provinces of Syunik Vayots Dzor as well as southern Gegharkunik and parts of Tavush 226 October 2022 edit Main article European Union Monitoring Capacity to Armenia On 6 October 2022 Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met at the first European Political Community summit in Prague in an attempt to resolve the long running Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the recent Armenia Azerbaijan border crisis Following the meeting it was stated that the two parties agreed to the deployment of a European Union led mission which would be deployed on the Armenian side of their shared border for a period of two months starting in October 2022 227 228 The stated aim of the mission is to build confidence and through its reports to contribute to the border commissions work towards delimitation of the border between the two parties On October 12 nearly a month after Azerbaijan s attack the Security Council of Armenia said there would be a peace deal between the two countries by the end of the year 229 The OSCE also sent a Needs Assessment Team to Armenia between 21 and 27 October 2022 following a request made by the government of Armenia The OSCE sent a group of international experts and representatives of the OSCE Secretariat to assess the situation in certain border areas along the Armenia Azerbaijan border 230 January 2023 edit On 23 January the European Union Mission in Armenia EUMA launched its operations The objective of the CSDP mission is to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia build confidence on the ground conduct active patrolling and reporting and to support normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan led by the President of the European Council Charles Michel 231 EUMA will have an initial mandate of 2 years with the possibility of extension April 2023 edit A skirmish resulting in 7 people dying occurred near the village of Tegh which is the last village on the Lachin Corridor in Armenia before it enters Azerbaijani territory 232 233 Video footage released by the Armenian Ministry of Defence showed Azerbaijani troops firing after approaching Armenian soldiers who were digging trenches along the border 234 The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement Armenia s territorial integrity must be respected and Azerbaijani forces occupying positions on the Armenian side of the line of contact must withdraw in order to prevent future incidents and preserve the foundations of a lasting peace in the region 235 May 2023 edit On 5 May US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is within reach following the conclusion of four days of extensive negotiations held in Washington D C Blinken confirmed that progress had been made and was hopeful that President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan would likely come up with a framework agreement on the sidelines of the 2nd European Political Community Summit to be held in Moldova in June 2023 236 Following the negotiations held in the US it was announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan would resume peace talks in Brussels According to officials Western allies are encouraging mediation efforts between the two sides President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan are set to meet with European Council president Charles Michel followed by another meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron 237 Azerbaijani and Armenian forces exchanged artillery fire on 11 May along the border near the town of Sotk in the Gegharkunik Province leaving at least one soldier dead with several others wounded 238 Both sides traded blame 239 240 Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan installed a checkpoint to the Lachin corridor in 2022 239 July 2023 edit Nikol Pashinyan issued a warning that there is a likely chance of a third war unless both sides can reach a permanent peace 241 September 2023 edit On 3 September 2023 during an interview Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that it was a strategic mistake for Armenia to solely rely on Russia to guarantee its security Pashinyan stated Moscow has been unable to deliver and is in the process of winding down its role in the wider South Caucasus region and the Russian Federation cannot meet Armenia s security needs This example should demonstrate to us that dependence on just one partner in security matters is a strategic mistake Pashinyan accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to uphold the ceasefire deal of failing to do their job Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia is trying to diversify its security arrangements most notably with the European Union and the United States 242 On 7 September speaking at a meeting of senior government officials Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of building up an army on the Nagorno Karabakh and Armenian borders 243 244 On 14 September the Azerbaijani military violated the ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh in the early hours of Thursday Azerbaijani forces used small arms in the shooting in the region 245 On 19 September Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in Nagorno Karabakh Territorial incursions into the Republic of Artsakh editCurrent situation edit Since March 26 2023 the Azerbaijani government has formalized its blockade of the Republic of Artsakh by seizing strategic ground around the Lachin corridor both within Artsakh and Armenia installing a military outpost that blocks a bypass dirt road that provided relief blocking the old section of the Lachin corridor and installing a checkpoint at the new section 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 Azerbaijan has ignored calls from the Russian peacekeepers to observe the 2020 ceasefire conditions and return to their initial territorial positions behind the Line of Contact 246 253 248 249 254 Azerbaijan has also ignored calls from the International Court of Justice the European Court of Human Rights and other international entities to restore freedom of movement across the Lachin corridor 255 Timeline edit On 11 October 2021 an Armenian civilian named Aram Tepnants was shot dead by Azerbaijani snipers in the town of Martakert Russia s Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and stated that Russian peacekeepers launched an investigation involving both sides 256 On 8 November 2021 one Armenian civilian was killed and three wounded as Azerbaijani troops opened fire at Armenians repairing a water supply pipe near Shushi Russia s Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and stated that Russian peacekeepers launched an investigation involving both sides 257 The U S Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs condemned the killing of the Armenian civilian 258 259 On 8 March it was reported that the only gas pipeline leading from Armenia to the Armenian inhabited enclave of Artsakh was damaged as tension spiked in the region following the launch of Russia s invasion of Ukraine The energy supply was reportedly disrupted again on the evening of March 21 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Artsakh authorities have accused the Azerbaijan government of deliberately creating additional humanitarian problems for the population of Artsakh 260 261 On 24 March Azerbaijani soldiers crossed the Line of Contact and took control of the village of Farukh using firearms and drones 262 with women and children being evacuated from the nearby village of Khramort Russian peacekeepers were reported to be negotiating with Azerbaijan 263 On 27 March 2022 the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani forces had withdrawn from the village 264 265 This statement was refuted by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense 266 On 30 March 2022 Artsakh authorities stated that Azerbaijani forces were still occupying the strategically important Karaglukh heights 267 On 15 April 2022 Azerbaijani forces crossed the Line of Contact near the village of Seysulan Later that day they reportedly agreed to pull back 268 Clashes broke out again in late July and early August 2022 On August 1 the Artsakh Defence Army reported that Azerbaijan attempted to breach the line of contact in northern Nagorno Karabakh wounding one soldier Azerbaijan Defence Ministry denied these claims and the Russian Defence Ministry reported no ceasefire violations that day 269 Over the next two days clashes erupted again killing one Azerbaijani soldier two Artsakh Defence Army soldiers and wounding 14 others The international community reacted quickly with Russia accusing Azerbaijan of breaking the fragile ceasefire and the European Union urging an immediate cessation of hostilities 270 According to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry Artsakhi soldiers had attacked Azerbaijan army posts in the area of Lachin killing a conscript In response the Azerbaijani army stated it conducted an operation called Revenge and took control of several strategic heights in Karabakh The Artsakh Defence Army accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire and declared a partial mobilization Following the flare up Armenia urged the international community to assist in putting an end to Azerbaijan s aggressive actions 270 On 26 August the Azerbaijani armed forces took full control of the Lachin Corridor area including Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus as part of the 2020 cease fire agreement Reactions edit nbsp Following the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War the Russian military increased its presence within Armenia Meanwhile the European Union initiated a civilian monitoring mission in Armenia to ensure stability in the border areas with Azerbaijan Blue points correspond to locations of increased Russian military presence Red points correspond to current or future field offices of the European Union Mission in Armenia EUMA Various countries supranational organizations and human rights organizations have called for an end to the hostilities and supporting bilateral border demarcation respecting the terms of the 2020 ceasefire agreement and for Azerbaijan to pull back its forces from Armenian territory Following the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War both Russia and the European Union have increased their presence in Armenia along the border with Azerbaijan in order to improve stability of the border and deter offensives from Azerbaijan 271 272 Upon Armenia s request Russia s Federal Security Service expanded its patrols within Armenia and the EU contributed a civilian monitoring mission to Armenia However while both entities have deterred the possibility of full scale warfare they have been unable to fully prevent Azerbaijan s goals 273 Russia and the European Union have criticized each other s presence within Armenia The European Union encouraged Armenia to seek alternative security alliances given Russia s alleged readiness to guarantee the security of Armenia has proven to be non existent 274 Russia in turn criticized the EU and claims it is an effort by the West to diminish Russia s power in the region 275 In January 2023 an EU official said that there were cases where EUMCAP monitors were turned back by Russian border guards within Armenia even though they were accompanied by Armenian Defense officials 272 Supranational organizations edit nbsp European Union The European Parliament declared that the entry of troops from Azerbaijan into the territory of Armenia amount to a violation of the territorial integrity of Armenia and of international law whereas this violation of Armenian sovereign territory follows worrying statements by Azerbaijani representatives including the president which appeared to raise territorial claims and threaten the use of force and thereby undermine the efforts towards security and stability in the region 45 The European Parliament also issued a report in March 2023 condemning Azerbaijan s attack of Armenia in 2022 and considering CSTO s inaction during the invasion encouraged Armenia to seek alternative security alliances 274 276 Following the November 2021 escalation the EU Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus released a statement expressing serious concern over the military operation launched by Azerbaijan in response to alleged provocations and condemned any attempts at borderisation as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May 53 MEPs also condemned Turkiye s expansionist and destabilizing role in the South Caucasus given that it is Azerbaijan s traditional ally in the conflict 277 nbsp Council of Europe The organization issued a report stating While it is difficult to negotiate with a party Azerbaijan keen to employ hate rhetoric and even denying Armenia s territorial integrity it is crucial for Armenia to continue to do its utmost to contribute to the de escalation of the tensions on the ground 278 Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric stated Reports of escalating armed hostilities around the Armenian Azerbaijani border are very alarming Disagreements between Council of Europe member States must be resolved peacefully through negotiations Recent direct contacts between the highest authorities of both countries were promising and should be continued When entering the Council of Europe Armenia and Azerbaijan committed to resolve the conflict peacefully That commitment must be respected The Council of Europe is ready to assist in reconciliation efforts which contribute to achieving a peaceful settlement 279 nbsp OSCE The U S representative stated We expect Azerbaijan to pull back all forces and call on both sides to begin immediately negotiations to demarcate their shared international borders 148 The Co Chairs of the Minsk Group took note of the reported detention of six Armenian soldiers on 27 May and called for the release of all prisoners of war and other detainees on an all for all basis 280 Together the Council of Europe the OSCE also offered diplomatic services to resolve the conflict which privately outraged Baku 54 nbsp Collective Security Treaty Organization a military alliance in Eurasia consisting of several post Soviet states declared that it is closely monitoring the situation evolving in Syunik and if necessary measures will be taken according to CSTO policy 281 The CSTO declined to provide assistance to Armenia in both May 2021 and September 2022 Former Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said that only in the most extreme case would the organization use force against a former Soviet Republic 89 nbsp NATO Javier Colomina special Representative for the Caucasus amp Central Asia called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent de escalation 67 Countries edit nbsp Arshak Karapetyan and Lynne Tracy discussed the situation on the Armenian Azerbaijani border on 30 August 2020 nbsp Canada Commenting on Azerbaijan s September 2022 attacks Foreign Minister Melanie Joly tweeted that Canada is very concerned by the rise in hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan including strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia We urge for de escalation full respect of the ceasefire and return to meaningful dialogue via the OSCE 282 283 nbsp Estonia Marina Kaljurand foreign minister MEP and chair of the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus condemned Azerbaijan s large scale military attack adding that Azerbaijan is taking advantage of the global and regional situation created by the aggression of Russia against Ukraine 67 nbsp France Following Azerbaijan s incursions in May 2021 President Emmanuel Macron wrote Azerbaijan s armed forces have invaded Armenian territory They must be immediately withdrawn 132 nbsp India Commenting on Azerbaijan s September 2022 attacks the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry called on the aggressor side to immediately cease hostilities adding that they have seen reports of attacks along the Armenia Azerbaijan border including targeting of civilian settlements and infrastructure 284 nbsp Iran Mojtaba Zolnouri the head of the Islamic Consultative Assembly s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee declared that Tehran will categorically not accept any change in international borders in the region and that the territorial integrity of the countries in the region must be preserved Therefore if part of the territory of Armenia is to be taken and our border conditions change that is to have a new neighbor it is not acceptable for us Zolnouri said 285 Later in a meeting with the acting Armenian Foreign Minister the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed that any redrawing of the borders is a red line for Iran 286 Analysts consider Iran s decision to open a consulate in Syunik in August 2022 to be an expression of diplmatic support for Armenia s territorial integrity 287 288 Iran has also offered diplomatic mediation assistance in July 2021 after fighting along the border 289 nbsp Pakistan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the support from people and government of Pakistan for Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh conflict Pakistan is the only country in the world that does not recognize Armenia as a country since the creation of new states of Azerbaijan and Armenia after collapse of Soviet union to show a solidarity and support with Azerbaijani people on Nagorno Karabkh conflict nbsp Russia President Vladimir Putin urged both countries to respect the ceasefire agreement and that Russia will continue mediating efforts Putin s spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that The Armenian side expressed extreme concern over the situation at the border and that President Putin shared this concern 142 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia sees no reason to escalate emotions with regard to the situation at the border Not a single shot was fired no skirmishes took place there They sat down calmly began to discuss how to defuse this situation and asked us for assistance Our military provided such assistance an agreement was reached I do not see any reason to escalate emotions in connection with this quite non routine but in any case calmly settled issue 290 nbsp Turkey The AKP s spokesperson Omer Celik condemned Armenia s aggressive policies and also said We condemn this attack in the strongest manner Celik added that Turkey would oppose Armenian efforts to endanger the region 291 He also criticized France s pro Armenia response 292 urging other countries to condemn Armenian attacks Celik clarified that Turkey will support Azerbaijan in whatever they want and accused Armenia of violating Azerbaijan s territorial integrity 293 nbsp United States The State Department initially voiced concerns regarding increased tensions along a non demarcated portion of the Armenia Azerbaijan border urging restraint in de escalating the situation peacefully 44 Later on U S State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter stated that the United States were monitoring the situation closely and that it expected Azerbaijan to immediately pull back its forces and cease further provocation 294 The United States is concerned by recent developments along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan including the detention of several Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces We call on both sides to urgently and peacefully resolve this incident We also continue to call on Azerbaijan to release immediately all prisoners of war and other detainees and we remind Azerbaijan of its obligations under international humanitarian law to treat all detainees humanely 295 296 In his 27 May 2021 press statement U S State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the U S considers any movements along the non demarcated areas of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be provocative and unnecessary and rejects the use of force to demarcate the border calling on both sides to return to their previous positions and to cease military fortification of the non demarcated border and the emplacement of landmines Specifically the U S called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to relocate their forces to the positions they held on 11 May to de escalate tensions and create space for a peaceful negotiation process to demarcate the border on an urgent basis 297 During his visit to Foreign Ministry of Armenia on 10 June 2021 the Acting U S Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker reaffirmed the U S position on the necessity to withdraw Azerbaijani forces from Armenian border 298 Senator Bob Menendez Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wrote a letter in February 2023 criticizing the US Commerce Department for exporting weapons to Azerbaijan highlighting well documented and credible allegations of Azerbaijan s atrocities against Armenians including the deaths and displacement of thousands of Armenians in the wake of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh War the 2022 invasion of Armenia in addition to Baku s ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor 299 Other organizations edit Reporters Without Borders reported on 23 June 2021 that a group of Spanish journalists have been threatened with death by Azerbaijani forces while reporting on their position in the Gegharkunik province RWB condemned this unacceptable act toward journalists 300 Freedom House condemned Azerbaijan s attacks on Armenia stating military attacks on sovereign nations have no place in the rules based international order 209 The organization also said With its dependence on authoritarian Russia for military protection against Azerbaijan its openly hostile and equally authoritarian neighbor Armenia s democratic project faces uniquely powerful headwinds adding that there are abundant indications that an expansion of Baku s control over parts of Armenia would eliminate the freedoms and security of local people in much the same way as Moscow s seizure of Ukrainian territory 301 Human Rights Watch analyzed several videos of inhumane killings of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani forces 302 describing them as war crimes Hugh Williamson Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch said These soldiers had been captured and laid down their arms Their captors had an obligation to treat them humanely and instead it appears that Azerbaijani forces shot them in cold blood Now they need to be held accountable 303 Armenian National Committee of America Its program director Alex Galitsky wrote by violating Armenia s sovereignty Baku has demonstrated that this conflict was never truly about the principle of territorial integrity for Azerbaijan After all if Azerbaijan s objectives were limited to territorial control there would not have been systematic destruction of Armenian cultural heritage sites the deliberate targeting of civilians and exceedingly inflammatory rhetoric from the regime in Baku seeking to erase the very existence of the Armenian people 304 Helsinki Citizens Assembly of Vanadzor Artur Sakunts a human rights activist and chair of the organization wrote If Armenia does not show determination now and does not get out of the deadlock of the CSTO Eurasian Union trilateral statement of November 9 2020 and does not take a step toward becoming part of the United States France European Union civilized system then Putin Erdogan and Aliyev will devour Armenia 305 Fund for Peace The institute wrote The most recent attacks by Azerbaijan in September 2022 are in part responsible for Armenia s rise from 97th to 93rd most fragile state this year and even more significantly the rise from 108th most fragile in 2019 adding that As peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue the international community has the opportunity to support genocide prevention in Armenia and Azerbaijan World Federalist Movement Following Azerbaijan s September 2022 attacks the organization said This aggression was predictable in light of the international community s failure to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey s war crimes during the 44 day war and the community s mute response to post 2020 developments lacking any condemnation of actions by Baku The organization also called for the international community to act stating that the sanctions that should be applied against Azerbaijan should be similar to those applied against Russia by the western powers as both are threat to democracies 306 Analysis editAzerbaijani narrative edit Azerbaijan has defended its military activities within sovereign Armenian territory using various narratives claiming that without formal border demarcation its soldiers cannot be accused of occupation 123 127 its soldiers were merely accessing Azerbaijani territory inaccessible due to poor weather conditions 137 307 it is responding to Armenian provocations 205 212 308 211 and that it is defending Azerbaijan s territorial integrity 309 Azerbaijan has also frequently given Revenge titles to its military operations against Armenia and Artsakh claiming that it is exacting retribution for alleged deaths of its soldiers 310 311 312 313 Azerbaijani media outlets and notable politicians within the country called for occupation of more Armenian land after Azerbaijan s September 2022 attacks claiming that a buffer zone was needed to deter Armenian provocations 128 129 Various journalists politicians and political analysts have scrutinized several of these allegations and consider them unfounded or unverifiable 197 198 199 200 215 217 Political analysts and genocide scholars say that Azerbaijan employs a mirroring tactic which is common among genocidal regimes and here involves accusing Armenia and Armenians of committing the crimes that it itself has committed or is planning to commit 314 315 316 Commenting on Azerbaijan s May 2021 incursion Eurasianet noted while those Soviet era maps were not meant to strictly delineate an international border they do all appear to show that most of Sev Lake is in Armenian territory which would mean an Azerbaijani attempt to surround it would be an infiltration 307 Critics have argued that Azerbaijan s September 2022 attacks on Armenia undermined the government s official narrative of territorial integrity noting that for the last 10 years Azerbaijan has increasingly promoted expansionist territorial claims against sovereign Armenian territory distinct from Nagorno Karabakh 317 318 Borderization of Armenia edit Borderization refers to the physical demarcation of a border which prevents the free movement of people and goods 2 Laurence Broers South Caucasus programme director at London based peacebuilding organization Conciliation Resources wrote Azerbaijan s attack demonstrated the potential for Armenia to be cut in two given it is a mere 40 kilometres 25 miles across at its narrowest point 319 Laurence Broers also says that Azerbaijan s motivations are to have Armenia formally relinquish any claim to Artsakh Baku is seeking to avoid a repeat of the 1990s where the militarily victorious side then Armenia was not able to consolidate its victory into a favorable peace from a position of strength 54 The analyst argues that Azerbaijan is using coercive bargaining strategy in order to extract concessions from Armenia on various issues including minefield maps the Syunik corridor and that never demarcated borders allow conversion of dated or ambiguous cartographies into better positions for Azerbaijan This borderization according to Broers also pressures Russia by showing that Russian security guarantees to Armenia are tractable relative to other issues testing CSTO collective security guarantees and testing Russia s capacity to broker 320 Broers further expanded on the theme of borderization of Armenia by Azerbaijan in his review published by Chatham House 321 The tactics applied by Azerbaijan towards Armenia after the 2020 war were described as borderization tactics in an article published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs on June 16 2021 322 Joint statement on 17 November 2021 by the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus Marina Kaljurand the European Parliament s Standing Rapporteur on Armenia Andrey Kovatchev and the European Parliament s Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan Zeljana Zovko called the military operation launched by Azerbaijan on 16 November 2021 the worst violation to date since ceasefire agreement condemning any attempts at borderisation as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May 2021 51 According to the geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor Azerbaijan remains unlikely to launch a large scale military operation to seize large swaths of new territory in Nagorno Karabakh or Armenia as less costly methods can enable Baku to maintain progress toward its goals Each time Azerbaijani forces gain ground it improves their tactical position even if those territorial gains only move the de facto line of contact by a matter of meters 323 Inaction of Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization edit Russia is ostensibly Armenia s security guarantor due to the countries sharing a bilateral security alliance 324 and their joint membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO which stipulates that members assist each other in order to protect territorial integrity In the case of aggression an armed attack threatening safety stability territorial integrity and sovereignty against any Member States all other Member States at request of this Member State shall immediately provide the latter with the necessary aid including military CSTO charter Article 4 However neither Russia nor other members of the military alliance are providing military assistance against Azerbaijan s offensive Various political analysts and politicians have said that Azerbaijan s attacks were emboldened by Russia s preoccupation with its invasion of Ukraine Azerbaijan s military ties with Russia 325 Azerbaijan s economic ties with Russia other European powers and Russia s own interest in creating the Zangezur corridor 326 327 328 329 330 Armenia requested CSTO s assistance two times following various territorial incursions by Azerbaijan in March 2021 141 142 143 144 and in September 2022 The CSTO declined Armenia s request both times 305 Instead of providing immediate assistance following Azerbaijan s September 2022 attack the CSTO opted to send a fact finding mission one week later and stated that it did not anticipate sending military aid even before the mission arrived 305 The CSTO s inaction in helping Armenia prompted the European Parliament to encourage Armenia to seek alternative security alliances 274 276 Nerses Kopalyan a political scientist wrote that The Russian peacekeepers function more like an impotent observation mission than an armed contingent 331 Nikolay Bordyuzha the former longtime secretary general of the CSTO said the issue is Armenian territory the ownership of which is not under question adding that the entire international community sees this territory as the sovereign territory of Armenia According to its own documents the CSTO is obliged to react in the case of an incursion by the armed forces of another state 332 148 Neil Hauer a journalist specializing in the Caucasus points out that Azerbaijan s September 2022 invasion of Armenia occurred only a few days after Russia s forces experienced military setbacks in Ukraine s Kharkiv region and the CSTO was exposed as a paper tiger 214 Inaction of the European Union edit Various critics argue that the conflict is not being presented in the West in the same light as the Russian invasion of Ukraine despite the fact that Armenia is making democratic reforms against Azerbaijan s increasingly authoritarian state 333 334 335 336 Azerbaijan is a major exporter of oil and gas to Europe 337 and with the aim to reduce its dependence on Russian imports the European Union signed a gas supply agreement with Azerbaijan in July 2022 which has been perceived as emboldening Azerbaijan s actions 319 214 However political scientist Suren Surenyants considers it positive that European MEPs have declared the September military actions by Azerbaijan an occupation and did not link this aggression with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict But Surenyants does not expect Azerbaijan s occupation of Armenia to end without concrete action from the international community Azerbaijanis are carrying out engineering work on the sovereign Armenian territory equipping positions Not a single international structure not a single geopolitical center created a situation for Aliyev in which he would be forced to leave these territories 118 The EU has attempted to mediate a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that includes a Joint Border Commission to delimit the countries mutual boundary line Commenting on this Tigran Grigoryan a political analyst said What I m seeing now is an attempt by the European Union to establish a victor s peace at the expense of Armenia where Armenian interests are not taken into consideration at all 338 The EU has treated both Armenia and Azerbaijan as equal parties despite the asymmetry in military and political power between the countries The EU s response to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh has been limited to vague statements that are bothsidist in nature without naming the aggressor 339 Since the 2020 war every military escalation has resulted Azerbaijani forces gaining ground which political scientist Karena Avedissian describes as the creeping annexation of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia 339 See also editArmenia Azerbaijan border First Nagorno Karabakh War List of conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement Post Soviet conflicts Second Nagorno Karabakh War September 2022 Armenia 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war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2021 2693 RSP Press release European Parliament 19 May 2021 Archived from the original on 26 May 2021 Retrieved 26 May 2021 On 12 May 2021 troops from Azerbaijan temporarily entered the territory of Armenia which amounts to a violation of the territorial integrity of Armenia and of international law Macron Azerbaijani armed forces have crossed into Armenian territory They must withdraw immediately I say again to the Armenian people France stands with you in solidarity and will continue to do so Archived from the original on 24 May 2021 Retrieved 14 May 2021 Department Press Briefing May 14 2021 Archived from the original on 25 May 2021 Retrieved 22 May 2021 Macron Azerbaijani armed forces have crossed into Armenian territory They must withdraw immediately I say again to the Armenian people France stands with you in solidarity and will continue to do so Archived from the original on 24 May 2021 Retrieved 14 May 2021 Isayev Heydar 16 May 2023 Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders meet for the fifth time in Brussels Eurasianet Poston Alexis 7 June 2023 State Fragility and the Shadow of Genocide in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia the South Caucasus The Fund for Peace fundforpeace org Retrieved 8 June 2023 Since the end of the Second Nagorno Karabakh War Azerbaijan has regularly violated the ceasefire agreement provoking firefights with Armenia along the border a b c d e Joint statement on the escalation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Communiques Documents DSCA Delegations European Parliament www europarl europa eu Archived from the original on 17 November 2021 Retrieved 17 November 2021 a b c Russia once again alleges ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan KarabakhSpace eu Retrieved 2 June 2023 This is now the second time ever that Moscow has accused Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire after it called out Baku for its actions on 26 March a b c Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus MEP Marina Kaljurand the European Parliament s Standing Rapporteur on Armenia MEP Andrey Kovatchev and the European Parliament s Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan MEP Zeljana Zovko 17 November 2021 Statement on the escalation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict PDF europarl europa eu Archived PDF from the original on 17 November 2021 Retrieved 21 November 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b c d Kucera Joshua 23 July 2021 Cross border shooting escalates as Azerbaijan seeks formal agreement with Armenia Eurasianet It has been a long established pattern that some kind of fighting breaks out and demands the world s attention precisely when Baku is unhappy with the pace of negotiations with Armenia to resolve the conflict Reassessing the Risk of an Escalation in Nagorno Karabakh RANE Stratfor Archived from the original on 10 April 2023 Retrieved 15 June 2023 So long as talks appear stalled Azerbaijan will likely turn to small scale violations of the cease fire to seize tactically advantageous areas in Nagorno Karabakh or similar actions along the Armenia Azerbaijan border Baku has used this strategy on multiple occasions since the cease fire was signed in November 2020 to force diplomatic progress by simultaneously demonstrating and increasing its leverage a b c d Ghazaryan Karine 26 August 2021 Azerbaijani forces block key road through southern Armenia Eurasianet a b c d e Kucera Joshua 27 August 2021 Azerbaijan s blockade of southern Armenia continues Eurasianet a b c Kucera Joshua 15 November 2021 Tension again spikes between Armenia and Azerbaijan Eurasianet Armenia s new road projects no simple endeavour intellinews com 22 December 2021 Retrieved 19 May 2023 Sukiasyan Narek 15 September 2022 Armenia is under attack www ips journal eu Retrieved 25 April 2023 At midnight on Tuesday Azerbaijan launched the largest attack on the Republic of Armenia unrelated to the line of contact of Nagorno Karabakh in the entire history of the conflict between these two countries a b Reichardt Adam 20 September 2022 What s behind the new round of clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan New Eastern Europe Retrieved 2 May 2023 The September clashes were the most serious armed incident between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the 2020 Karabakh war however this time the clashes took place along their shared southern border not the contested region Kucera Joshua 14 September 2022 Fighting continues on Armenia Azerbaijan border Eurasianet It is the first time that Azerbaijan has struck targets in large numbers inside Armenian territory most fighting between the two sides has previously taken place in and around Nagorno Karabakh internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory Mgdesyan Arshaluis 14 September 2022 Attacks on Armenia highlight ongoing disputes over corridor for Azerbaijan Eurasianet Azerbaijan launched a series of unprecedented attacks against targets inside southern Armenia this week Demourian Avet 14 September 2022 Armenia Azerbaijan agree on cease fire to end fighting Associated Press Khylko Maksym Shelest Hanna Grigoryan Armen Valiyev Anar Alili Ahmad Namazova Fidan Kandelaki Salome Lebanidze Bidzina November 2022 Impact of the Russia Ukraine War on Black Sea Geopolitics Caucasus Analytical Digest 130 doi 10 3929 ethz b 000579582 ISSN 1867 9323 Worst fighting since end of Second Nagorno Karabakh War OC Media 16 November 2021 Retrieved 6 June 2023 a b c Avetisyan Ani Aghayev Ismi 13 September 2022 Live updates Azerbaijan launches strikes along Armenian border OC Media Retrieved 2 May 2023 a b Russia blames Azerbaijan for violating ceasefire Global Voices 19 August 2021 Retrieved 2 June 2023 a b Russia accuses Azerbaijan of violating ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh OC Media 13 August 2021 Retrieved 2 June 2023 Armenia Hands Over Lands to Russian Border Guards in Syunik Civilnet 27 May 2021 Retrieved 6 June 2023 Russian troops deployed to Armenia s Tavush Province OC Media 6 August 2021 Retrieved 6 June 2023 EU approves 2 year monitoring mission to Armenia Azerbaijan border OC Media 23 January 2023 Retrieved 2 June 2023 Aliyev offers amnesty to Stepanakert authorities if they dissolve government and parliament OC Media 29 May 2023 Retrieved 2 June 2023 Whatever will happen there the border will be where we say it should be They the Armenians know that we can do it No one will help them not the retired French policemen from Europe not others not anyone else said Aliyev apparently referring to the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia Bedevian Astghik 29 March 2023 Baku Slams Head Of EU Monitoring Mission In Armenia Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 13 June 2023 Many Armenians believe there will be a spring offensive by Azerbaijan If this doesn t happen our mission is already a success Markus Ritter the German head of the monitoring mission told Germany s Deutsche Welle broadcaster this week Korsten Thijs 25 April 2023 Treading a Tightrope on the Armenian Border Reviewing the First Two Months of the EU s New Mission in the South Caucasus Caucasus Watch Retrieved 13 June 2023 On 18 March Azerbaijan s President Ilham Aliyev declared that Armenia must accept our conditions if Armenians wish to live comfortably on an area of 29 000 square kilometers Stepanian Ruzanna 29 May 2023 Aliyev Again Threatens Armenia Karabakh Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 13 June 2023 Aliyev said on Sunday that apart from recognizing Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh Yerevan must also meet a number of other conditions set by Azerbaijan That includes delimiting the Armenian Azerbaijani border on Baku s terms and opening a corridor to the Nakhichevan exclave he said They must not forget that Armenian villages are visible from here he added during a visit to the border town of Lachin Azerbaijan president uses rare interview to threaten Armenia www intellinews com 13 January 2022 Retrieved 14 June 2023 Martikian Naira 21 April 2021 What will become of the Zangezur corridor Comments from Azerbaijan and Armenia JAMnews English Jamnews Retrieved 14 June 2023 We are implementing the Zangezur Corridor whether Armenia wants it or not If Armenia wants it then the issue will be resolved easier if it does not want it we will decide it by force Aliyev a Challenge to Armenian Sovereignty and the Rules Based World Order Journal on World Affairs UCLA 21 September 2022 Retrieved 14 June 2023 It is enough to look at the continuous pattern of diverse threats ranging from military to economic made by the Aliyev regime to understand who the aggressor is and what the goals are For example Aliyev recently threatened full scale war with Armenia if the country tries to pursue any international discussions or negotiations about the status of Nagorno Karabakh and the thousands of Armenians who still live in their indigenous lands under the protection of the Russian peacekeeping force Korsten Thijs 25 April 2023 Treading a Tightrope on the Armenian Border Reviewing the First Two Months of the EU s New Mission in the South Caucasus Caucasus Watch Retrieved 15 June 2023 Unrecognised undemarcated or otherwise contested borderlines are used as instruments by Russian and Azerbaijani forces respectively to destabilise create new realities and enforce concessions Everyday livelihoods in the conflict zones are violently disrupted as a result villagers can no longer safely access farmlands schools water resources relatives or religious sites a b Von Joeden Forgey Elisa Victoria Massimino Irene 6 May 2023 Country Visit Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention Retrieved 23 May 2023 Azeri soldiers routinely fire on Armenian farmers as they tend to their crops disrupting their daily lives a b c Toal Gerard Seferian Nareg 25 November 2022 Suddenly a borderland The new borderization between Armenia and Azerbaijan Eurasianet All along Armenia s newly militarized eastern border fearful villagers have stopped using some land that they had previously employed for cultivation or pasture Incidents of shooting and cattle rustling have become common over the past two years some resolved through Russian mediation some not Poston Alexis 7 June 2023 State Fragility and the Shadow of Genocide in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia the South Caucasus The Fund for Peace fundforpeace org Retrieved 8 June 2023 Armenian civilians of Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding regions along the Armenian Azerbaijani border are threatened by Azerbaijan s military and face violence if they try to leave Armenian territory within disputed areas a b c d Residents of Verishen and Akner villages can no longer use pastures and raise livestock due to the presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen panorama am 14 May 2021 Archived from the original on 14 May 2021 Retrieved 14 May 2021 a b c d e f g h Kucera Joshua 2 July 2021 In southern Armenia warily sizing up the new neighbors Eurasianet For the Armenians who live in the border regions the effects have been manifold They have lost access to farmland or pastures they used to use many have sold slaughtered or relocated livestock as a result Some human residents have moved away as well fearing for the future here Forestier Walker Robin 19 November 2021 Armenia and Azerbaijan s new old border war Al Jazeera Retrieved 24 May 2023 the border areas between Armenia s Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces and Azerbaijan s newly established East Zangezur region have become militarised front lines a b Soviet era enclaves at the heart of Armenian Azerbaijani border crisis Civilnet 21 May 2021 Retrieved 10 May 2023 a b c McGlynn Evangeline 15 March 2021 Perspectives On the Armenia Azerbaijan border the map is not the territory Eurasianet a b c d e Pashinyan zayavil o reshimosti razobratsya s Karabahom Moskovskij Komsomolec 20 May 2021 Archived from the original on 21 May 2021 Retrieved 21 May 2021 on May 12 Azerbaijani troops entered the Lake Sev region in the Syunik region of Armenia In total about 600 enemy soldiers turned out to be on the territory of the republic Toal Gerard Seferian Nareg 25 November 2022 Suddenly a borderland The new borderization between Armenia and Azerbaijan Eurasianet many older residents of Syunik from the generation socialized in Soviet times have active and even pleasant memories of Azerbaijani friends and colleagues Բադալյան Սուսան 15 March 2022 Ադրբեջանցիները վրաններ են խփել Սյունիքի Ներքին Հանդ գյուղի տարածքում ըստ ՊՆ ի ՀՀ ինքնիշխան տարածք չեն մտել Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 6 June 2023 in the Soviet years it was not clear through which part of the forest the Armenian Azerbaijani border passes At that time during the Soviet years none of the adults knew the border We knew roughly that this was a forest We entered but we didn t know 10 20 meters Is it their territory that we take out wood from or is it our territory The friendship between Inner Hand and the neighboring Azerbaijani Kyollu Razdara is in the past now the residents of Inner Hand are anxiously following the movement of the Azerbaijanis approaching the village Mejlumyan Ani 7 September 2021 Armenia scrambles to rebuild new road away from Azerbaijan border Eurasianet The main road connecting the cities of Goris and Kapan in Armenia s Syunik region runs alongside and in some cases across the de facto though not yet formally delineated Azerbaijani border Shurnukh face to face with the enemy in Armenia s newly divided border village www intellinews com 21 September 2021 Retrieved 6 June 2023 Statement following quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev Prime Minister Pashinyan President Macron and President Michel 6 October 2022 European Council 7 October 2022 Armenia and Azerbaidjan confirmed their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the Alma Ata 1991 Declaration through which both recognize each other s territorial integrity and sovereignty They confirmed it would be a basis for the work of the border delimitation commissions Fabbro Robin 25 December 2022 Aliyev says Yerevan historically Azerbaijani OC Media Archived from the original on 1 January 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2022 Boy Ann Dorit 18 January 2023 Blockade in the Southern Caucasus There Is Every Reason to Expect More Violence This Year Der Spiegel ISSN 2195 1349 Retrieved 21 January 2023 Kucera Joshua 17 January 2023 Azerbaijan seeks Great Return of refugees to Armenia Eurasianet Retrieved 25 January 2023 Aliyev Again Invokes Historic Azeri Lands In Armenia Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian 26 December 2022 Retrieved 21 January 2023 Broers Laurence 5 August 2021 Perspectives Augmented Azerbaijan The return of Azerbaijani irredentism Eurasianet Retrieved 21 January 2023 The rise and fall of Azerbaijan s Goycha Zangazur Republic eurasianet org Retrieved 21 January 2023 Google May Remove the Armenian Toponyms of Artsakh from its Maps at request of Azerbaijan Monument Watch 20 January 2022 Retrieved 21 June 2023 The Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Center furthermore is also in close contact with Google and as a result of their mutual agreement they have already achieved success Asadov stressed that the addition of new Azerbaijani names to Google Maps was carried out due to their efforts Hirschfeld Katherine de Beurs Kirsten Brayfield Brad Melkonyan Gottschalk Ani 2023 Hirschfeld Katherine de Beurs Kirsten Brayfield Brad Melkonyan Gottschalk Ani eds Long Term Conflict and Environmental Change New Wars and Old Plagues Armed Conflict Environmental Change and Resurgent Malaria in the Southern Caucasus Cham Springer International Publishing pp 59 84 doi 10 1007 978 3 031 31143 7 5 ISBN 978 3 031 31143 7 retrieved 21 June 2023 Aliyev lays claim to historical lands in Armenia Moscow Yerevan react JAM News 11 December 2020 Archived from the original on 15 May 2021 Retrieved 15 May 2021 Broers Laurence 5 August 2021 Augmented Azerbaijan The return of Azerbaijani irredentism Eurasianet Archived from the original on 5 August 2021 Retrieved 7 August 2021 What s the future of Azerbaijan s ancestral lands in Armenia Eurasianet eurasianet org Archived from the original on 11 August 2021 Retrieved 30 July 2021 Nikol Pashinyan ishet obhodnye puti Gazeta RBK 7 April 2021 Archived from the original on 21 May 2021 Retrieved 21 May 2021 Azerbaijan will return to Zangezur 101 years later Ilham Aliyev Turan News Agency 21 April 2021 Archived from the original on 22 May 2021 Retrieved 22 May 2021 Ilham Aliyev s interview with Azerbaijan Television Official web site of President of Azerbaijan Republic 20 April 2021 Archived from the original on 22 May 2021 Retrieved 22 May 2021 Motamedi Maziar Iran opens mission in strategic Armenia region as it expands ties www aljazeera com Retrieved 28 May 2023 Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian officially inaugurated the consulate on Friday making Iran the first country to establish a diplomatic mission in the Syunik province that is sought by Baku and Ankara Marina Kaljurand Andrey Kovatchev Zeljana Zovko European Parliament 30 July 2021 Joint Statement by DSCA Chair and EP Standing Rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan on the deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan PDF Archived PDF from the original on 2 August 2021 Retrieved 12 August 2021 a b Azerbajdzhan provedet chetyrehdnevnye ucheniya s privlecheniem 15 tysyach voennyh Radio Svoboda in Russian 12 May 2021 Retrieved 12 May 2023 a b c My imeem delo s provocirovaniem masshtabnogo voennogo stolknoveniya Pashinyan Radio Svoboda in Russian 14 May 2021 Retrieved 12 May 2023 As Azerbaijan pushes advantage against Armenia Russia s role again under scrutiny Eurasianet Archived from the original on 17 November 2021 Retrieved 17 November 2021 European Parliament resolution on prisoners of war in the aftermath of the most recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2021 2693 RSP Press release European Parliament 19 May 2021 Archived from the original on 26 May 2021 Retrieved 26 May 2021 On 12 May 2021 troops from Azerbaijan temporarily entered the territory of Armenia which amounts to a violation of the territorial integrity of Armenia and of international law Broers Laurence 26 September 2022 Is Azerbaijan planning a long term presence in Armenia Azerbaijan s recent attack seeks to enforce terms in negotiations with Armenia but also shows a wider aim for a more permanent presence At least 50 square kilometres of Armenian territory are now reported as occupied by Azerbaijani forces Aliyev says Yerevan historically Azerbaijani OC Media 24 December 2022 Retrieved 5 May 2023 During the two day war Azerbaijani forces took control of several positions within Armenia that they still hold Բադալյան Սուսան 15 March 2022 Ադրբեջանցիները վրաններ են խփել Սյունիքի Ներքին Հանդ գյուղի տարածքում ըստ ՊՆ ի ՀՀ ինքնիշխան տարածք չեն մտել Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 6 June 2023 About 10 days ago the Azerbaijani military put up five new tents and fortified them in the administrative area of Nerkin Handi informed the administrative head of the village Khachatur Baghdasaryan They entered the administrative territory of the village descended 800 900 meters from their position to our territory There are five tents and they are digging trenches a b amartikian 10 February 2023 Azerbaijan has occupied the territory of Armenia European Parliament report English Jamnews Retrieved 9 April 2023 A bird s eye view of Azerbaijan s incursions into Armenia Civilnet 19 May 2022 Retrieved 6 June 2023 Azerbaijan has denied entering Armenian territory but satellite images clearly show Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia with forwarded military posts roads and vehicles Armenia s Defense Ministry Concealed Azerbaijani Advances Near Syunik Village Civilnet 31 March 2022 Retrieved 6 June 2023 A CivilNetCheck visual investigation confirmed through the study of satellite imagery that the new road leading to the Azerbaijani positions was built last May This means that the advance by the Azerbaijani troops into Armenia was concealed from the public for nearly a year Badalian Susan 3 April 2023 Azeri Troops Hold On To Newly Occupied Armenian Territory Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 12 June 2023 Local government officials and farmers said Tegh lost a large part of its agricultural land and pastures Some of them said that the Azerbaijani military made bigger territorial gains than is admitted by official Yerevan Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe Monitoring Committee The honouring of obligations and commitments by Armenia Information note following the visit in Armenia from 17 to 19 February 2023 a b c d Averting a New War between Armenia and Azerbaijan Crisisgroup 30 January 2023 Retrieved 21 April 2023 a b Toal Gerard Seferian Nareg 25 November 2022 Suddenly a borderland The new borderization between Armenia and Azerbaijan Eurasianet All this has placed Syunik in the spotlight Often referred to as the backbone of Armenia it is a vital transportation node not only to Nagorno Karabakh but to the southern border with Iran That is one of only two open international borders Armenia has now the other being Georgia to the north The borders to the west Turkey and east Azerbaijan have been closed since the First Karabakh War of the early 1990s Sascha Sheehan Ivan 3 September 2021 A Plea for Compromise Reconnecting Armenia With the World Real Clear Energy Over 80 of the former Soviet republic s borders have been closed for more than 30 years stunting its economic development The West s Double Standards in the Armenian Crisis Jacobin Retrieved 9 August 2023 a b Kucera Joshua 26 September 2022 Tension builds on Armenia Azerbaijan border Eurasianet President Aliyev said In the absence of border delimitation no one can claim where the border passes a b c Upholding the Ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia Crisis group 28 September 2022 Retrieved 4 May 2023 Azerbaijani media outlets including ones close to the government as well as a prominent Azerbaijani parliamentarian have called for Azerbaijan to take control of more land along its border with Armenia Some describe the move they are advocating as defensive while others appear to see it as additional leverage for negotiations with Armenia a b c Kucera Joshua Mejlumyan Ani 13 September 2022 Azerbaijan launches wide ranging attacks against Armenia Eurasianet Following the attack some Azerbaijani pro government sources suggested in what appeared to be a coordinated information campaign the creation of a buffer zone along Armenia s border with Azerbaijan a safe zone so to speak a buffer zone should be created near the border of Azerbaijan according to an analysis in the pro government report az A safety zone that is a buffer zone must be created said military analyst Uzeir Jafarov in a separate piece on Report az I believe that the buffer zone should be created in such a way that Armenia does not pose a threat a b Ռ Կ Ազատություն 27 May 2021 Yerevan Wants International Observers Deployed On Armenian Azeri Border Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 23 May 2023 Azerbaijani troops advanced several kilometers into Armenia s Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces on May 12 14 Dovich Mark 20 May 2021 Yerevan and Baku at Impasse Over Border After Azerbaijani Incursion Civilnet Retrieved 1 June 2023 a b c Service RFE RL s Armenian Armenia Turns To Russian Led CSTO Amid Border Standoff With Azerbaijan RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty Retrieved 12 May 2023 a b Pashinyan oficialno obratilsya k dejstvuyushemu predsedatelyu Soveta kollektivnoj bezopasnosti ODKB Radio Svoboda in Russian 14 May 2021 Retrieved 12 May 2023 starting from May 12 the armed forces of Azerbaijan invaded the territory of the Republic of Armenia in at least three directions and actually entrenched themselves at a depth of several kilometers a b c d Armenian PM Accuses Azerbaijan Of Fresh Infiltration Calls For Regional Help Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty 14 May 2021 Retrieved 13 May 2023 Azerbaijanis cross Armenia s state border near Kut village as well news am 14 May 2021 Archived from the original on 14 May 2021 Retrieved 14 May 2021 a b Armenia reports Azerbaijani troops crossed border OC Media 13 May 2021 Retrieved 11 May 2023 a b Service RFE RL s Armenian Armenia Turns To Russian Led CSTO Amid Border Standoff With Azerbaijan RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty Retrieved 11 May 2023 a b Soviet military map proves eastern western and southern shores of Sev Lake unequivocally belong to Armenia Armenpress 18 May 2021 Retrieved 24 May 2021 Sev Lake with its eastern western and southern shores is located in the territory of the Armenian SSR a b Soviet military map proves 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Russian Retrieved 17 May 2023 Yerevan Says Azerbaijan Is Blocking Road Linking Two Parts Of Armenian Region Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty 26 August 2021 Retrieved 24 May 2023 Under a Russian brokered peace accord signed between Yerevan and Baku to end the conflict the 21 kilometer section of the road will continue to be used by Armenians under the supervision of Russian border guards until Armenia can build an alternative road Mejlumyan Ani 7 September 2021 Armenia scrambles to rebuild new road away from Azerbaijan border Eurasianet The blockade lasted for nearly 48 hours and was resolved with the help of Russian border guards which patrol the Armenian side of the border From Syunik Road to the Turkish Diplomatic Forum This Week In Fake News Civilnet 31 January 2022 Retrieved 6 June 2023 Azerbaijani Troops Fire on Civilians in Gegharkunik s Kut Village Hetq am 28 August 2021 Archived from the original on 29 August 2021 Retrieved 29 August 2021 Shelling from Azerbaijan damaged wall of one of residential buildings in Kut village news am Archived from the original on 29 August 2021 Retrieved 29 August 2021 Armenian contract serviceman killed in Azerbaijani shooting in Yeraskh direction Public Radio of Armenia Archived from the original on 1 September 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 Isayev Heydar Mejlumyan Ani 14 September 2021 Azerbaijan starts charging Iranian trucks supplying Armenia Eurasianet Armenian soldier injured in Azerbaijan s provocation panarmenian net PanARMENIAN Net 9 October 2021 Archived from the original on 10 October 2021 Retrieved 10 October 2021 Azeri MoD announces serviceman s death Caucasian Knot 15 October 2021 Archived from the original on 15 October 2021 Retrieved 15 October 2021 Armenia ombudsman Azerbaijanis opened fire at Yeraskh village VIDEO news am Archived from the original on 26 October 2021 Retrieved 26 October 2021 Azerbaijani units fire at Armenian positions in Yeraskh Public Radio of Armenia Archived from the original on 16 October 2021 Retrieved 18 October 2021 a b c Kucera Joshua 16 November 2021 Heavy fighting breaks out between Armenia and Azerbaijan Eurasianet Թշնամին փորձում է երկու խնդիր լուծել Սամվել Բաբայանը իրավիճակի լուծման բանալին է ցույց տալիս in Armenian 16 November 2021 Archived from the original on 16 November 2021 Retrieved 16 November 2021 Forestier Walker Robin Armenia and Azerbaijan s new old border war www aljazeera com Retrieved 24 May 2023 While Azerbaijan maintains that Armenia provoked the latest fighting geolocation of some of the footage recorded since Tuesday strongly indicates incursions by Azerbaijani armed forces inside Armenia proper Russia Mediates Ceasefire Between Armenia and Azerbaijan MassisPost 16 November 2021 Archived from the original on 16 November 2021 Retrieved 16 November 2021 As Azerbaijan pushes advantage against Armenia Russia s role again under scrutiny Eurasianet eurasianet org Archived from the original on 17 November 2021 Retrieved 17 November 2021 Murderer of Artsakh civilian identified Public Radio of Armenia Archived from the original on 29 December 2021 Retrieved 29 December 2021 Azerbaijani Troops Capture and Murder 65 Year Old Artsakh Villager Hetq am 3 December 2021 Archived from the original on 29 December 2021 Retrieved 29 December 2021 Azerbaijan hands over 10 captured soldiers to Armenia Reuters 4 December 2021 Archived from the original on 12 May 2022 Retrieved 21 December 2021 Azerbaijan says soldier killed after Armenian provocation The New Arab 11 January 2022 Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 11 January 2022 Musayelyan Suren Armenia Azerbaijan Trade Blame For Deadly Shooting Along Border RadioFreeEuropeRadioLiberty org Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 11 January 2022 Armenia Azerbaijan to launch peace talks Hurriyet Daily News 7 April 2022 Archived from the original on 7 April 2022 Retrieved 7 April 2022 Pashinyan Aliyev Stressed Desire for Rapid Peace Agreement Says EC President Charles Michel Hetq 7 April 2022 Archived from the original on 7 April 2022 Retrieved 7 April 2022 Azerbaijani accusations on April 6 shelling are false Armenian Defense Ministry Armenpress 7 April 2022 Archived from the original on 7 April 2022 Retrieved 7 April 2022 a b c The Armenia and Azerbaijan Conflict is a Test of International Norms The United States is Failing The Strategy Bridge 15 March 2023 Retrieved 3 May 2023 The most severe test of the West s reaction since the 2020 war began on September 12 2022 when Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked invasion of neighboring sovereign Republic of Armenia a b c Rep Schiff Introduces Resolution to Recognize Artsakh s Independence and Condemn Azerbaijan s Aggression PDF schiff house gov Retrieved 3 May 2023 in September 2022 Azerbaijan launched its latest unprovoked assault on sovereign Armenian territory with intensive shelling a b c Russia s role here is passive voice Why did Azerbaijan attack Armenia and how might Russia react to this Here s the answers to the hottest questions on the current conflict Novaya gazeta Europe 14 September 2022 Retrieved 4 May 2023 This doesn t look convincing and everyone understands that this was a contrived excuse No Azeri officials have provided any evidence to substantiate the incursion a b c d Hauer Neil 21 September 2022 What Azerbaijan s Armenia assault says about new world order Asia Times Retrieved 5 May 2023 There was little doubt who started the fighting Azerbaijan initially claimed that it was merely responding to Armenian provocations a claim echoed by its ally Turkey but largely dropped this rhetoric in the following days in favor of other justifications Fresh clashes erupt between Azerbaijan Armenia Reuters 13 September 2022 Archived from the original on 13 September 2022 Retrieved 13 September 2022 Hauer Neil 20 September 2022 What Azerbaijan s assault on Armenia says about the new world order www euractiv com Retrieved 9 April 2023 Reichardt Adam 20 September 2022 What s behind the new round of clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan New Eastern Europe Retrieved 25 April 2023 Armenia Azerbaijan report deadly border clashes 13 September 2022 Archived from the original on 13 September 2022 Retrieved 13 September 2022 a b c d Live updates Azerbaijan launches strikes along Armenian border OC Media 13 September 2022 Retrieved 1 May 2023 Kucera Joshua Mejlumyan Ani 13 September 2022 Azerbaijan launches wide ranging attacks against Armenia Eurasianet Armenia s defense ministry reported attacks starting around midnight September 13 targeting cities all along the southern part of Armenia s border with Azerbaijan including Vardenis Sotk Artanish Ishkhanasar Goris and Kapan Armenia Azerbaijan report deadly border clashes 13 September 2022 Archived from the original on 13 September 2022 Retrieved 13 September 2022 Clashes break out on Azerbaijani Armenian border report 13 September 2022 Archived from the original on 13 September 2022 Retrieved 13 September 2022 a b Freedom House Condemns Azerbaijani Attacks on Armenia Calls for Diplomacy Freedom House Retrieved 3 April 2023 71 Azeri soldiers killed in clashes with Armenia this week Azeri Defence Ministry Reuters 15 September 2022 Retrieved 15 September 2022 a b c Armenia raises death toll to 105 confirms territorial losses PanARMENIAN Net 14 September 2022 Retrieved 15 September 2022 a b Nechepurenko Ivan Engelbrecht Cora 13 September 2022 Clashes Erupt Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Raising Fears of Another War The New York Times Armenia Russia agree joint steps to stabilise border www aljazeera com a b c d Hauer Neil 21 September 2022 What Azerbaijan s Armenia assault says about new world order Asia Times Retrieved 5 May 2023 a b de Waal Thomas 22 September 2022 More Storm Clouds Gather Over Armenia Azerbaijan Carnegie Europe Azerbaijan said there were Armenian provocations a claim which cannot be verified Eyewitnesses describe heavy shelling of military targets and civilian infrastructure in amongst other places the village of Sotk and the resort town of Jermuk whose civilian population was evacuated Mine Ban Policy Reports Monitor www the monitor org Retrieved 9 June 2023 The claim that Armenia is producing antipersonnel mines is a recent development and has not been confirmed by non Azerbaijani sources Armenia has denied these claims and stated in a letter to the Security Council dated 13 September 2022 that Azerbaijan was disseminating false information in preparation for launching armed aggression a b Kucera Joshua 26 September 2022 Tension builds on Armenia Azerbaijan border Eurasianet President Aliyev repeated accusations that Armenia had started the fighting of September 12 a claim for which Baku has not offered any evidence Russia s role here is passive voice Why did Azerbaijan attack Armenia and how might Russia react to this Here s the answers to the hottest questions on the current conflict Novaya gazeta Europe 14 September 2022 Retrieved 4 May 2023 de Waals Thomas 22 September 2022 More Storm Clouds Gather Over Armenia Azerbaijan Carnegie Europe Reporterre En Azerbaidjan une crise humanitaire sous pretexte d ecologie Reporterre le media de l ecologie in French Retrieved 4 April 2023 Ahmedbeyli Samira 8 November 2022 What will happen next life will show Ilham Aliyev on the situation in the negotiations with Armenia English Jamnews Retrieved 5 May 2023 After the operation on September 13 14 the armed forces of Azerbaijan were deployed at the main strategic heights in the direction of the Armenian Azerbaijani border Today from these strategic heights we see with our own eyes the cities of Garakils Vanadzor Kafan Kapan Goris Istisu Jermuk Aliyev says Yerevan historically Azerbaijani OC Media 24 December 2022 Retrieved 5 May 2023 a b Armenia reports new round of clashes with Azerbaijan Reuters 14 September 2022 Retrieved 14 September 2022 Armenia and Azerbaijan Between war and peace Think Tank European Parliament www europarl europa eu Retrieved 8 June 2023 September 2022 saw the worst hostilities since 2020 with nearly 300 soldiers an estimated 200 Armenians and 80 Azerbaijanis killed in an Azerbaijani incursion into Armenian territory allowing Azerbaijani troops to take control of new positions deep inside Armenia and at least 7 600 civilians displaced from the Armenian provinces Averting a New War between Armenia and Azerbaijan www crisisgroup org 30 January 2023 Retrieved 4 April 2023 Kucera Joshua 26 September 2022 Tension builds on Armenia Azerbaijan border Eurasianet Statement following quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev Prime Minister Pashinyan President Macron and President Michel 6 October 2022 www consilium europa eu Leaders Of Armenia Azerbaijan Agree To Civilian EU Mission Along Border RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty Will Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a peace deal openDemocracy Retrieved 20 April 2023 OSCE sends a needs assessment team to Armenia EU Will Deploy 2 Year Mission to Armenia Border Asbarez com Armenian and Azeri soldiers clash near contested Nagorno Karabakh region The Guardian Reuters 11 April 2023 ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved 6 May 2023 amartikian 12 April 2023 Positional fighting will escalate into large scale aggression Opinion from Yerevan English Jamnews Retrieved 6 May 2023 Deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan near Lachin Corridor OC Media 11 April 2023 Retrieved 20 June 2023 etrangeres Ministere de l Europe et des Affaires Armenia Azerbaijan Border clashes 12 April 2023 France Diplomacy Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Retrieved 6 May 2023 Armenia Azerbaijan peace deal within reach Blinken says oc media org 5 May 2023 Retrieved 8 May 2023 Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume peace talks in Brussels Financial Times 8 May 2023 Retrieved 8 May 2023 1 soldier killed several others wounded in clashes between Armenia Azerbaijan AP News 11 May 2023 Retrieved 11 May 2023 a b Armenia and Azerbaijan trade blame over Nagorno Karabakh attacks euronews 11 May 2023 Retrieved 11 May 2023 Armenia and Azerbaijan trade gunfire along border www aljazeera com Retrieved 11 May 2023 Armenia s Pashinyan says war with Azerbaijan likely unless peace treaty signed AFP reports Reuters 21 July 2023 Retrieved 2 August 2023 Armenian PM says depending solely on Russia for security was strategic mistake reuters com Retrieved 1 September 2023 Shahverdyan Lilit 8 September 2023 Armenians alarmed by reports of Azerbaijani military buildup eurasianet Retrieved 8 September 2023 Service RFE RL s Armenian Armenia s Pashinian Accuses Azerbaijan Of Troop Buildup On Border RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty Retrieved 9 September 2023 The Ministry of Defense of Armenia and Artsakh deny the accusations of shooting at Azerbaijani positions Civilnet in Armenian 14 September 2023 a b Treading a Tightrope on the Armenian Border Reviewing the First Two Months of the EU s New Mission in the South Caucasus Caucasus Watch 25 April 2023 Retrieved 12 June 2023 The following week saw a reconfiguration of road links and military positions in the Lachin Corridor with Azerbaijani forces constructing a new military post taking control of strategic heights ignoring Russian calls to return to their original locations and seizing land in Armenia around the new road leading from the villages of Tegh and Kornidzor towards Karabakh Rep Schiff Introduces Resolution to Recognize Artsakh s Independence and Condemn Azerbaijan s Aggression PDF schiff house gov Retrieved 3 May 2023 on March 26 2023 Azerbaijani troops crossed the line of contact to launch an operation to cut off a dirt road that was providing some relief from the blockade of the Lachin Corridor in violation of the 2020 cease fire statement a b Avetisyan Ani Aghayev Ismi 26 March 2023 Azerbaijan breaches line of contact seizing positions in Nagorno Karabakh OC Media Retrieved 28 March 2023 The Russian Defence Ministry said Azerbaijani troops had breached the line of contact in violation of the 9 November ceasefire agreement which brought an end to the Second Nagorno Karabakh War They said Azerbaijani forces had taken up new positions near Shusha a b Stepanian Ruzanna 27 March 2023 Bypass Road In Karabakh Not Used After Azeri Advance Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 28 March 2023 Azerbaijani forces continued to occupy on Monday a strategic hill near the Lachin corridor seized by them at the weekend further complicating Nagorno Karabakh s communication with Armenia and the outside world the high ground occupied by Azerbaijani soldiers overlooks the barely passable bypass road leading to the Armenian border Khulian Artak Stepanian Ruzanna 31 March 2023 Armenian Government Blamed For Fresh Azeri Territorial Gains Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն ռադիոկայան in Armenian Retrieved 14 June 2023 Azerbaijani troops redeployed on Thursday morning to more parts of the Lachin district adjacent to the Armenian border blocking the old Lachin corridor section Azerbaijani eco protest ends after checkpoint installed on Lachin Corridor OC Media 28 April 2023 Retrieved 28 April 2023 The Azerbaijani eco activists blocking the Lachin Corridor near Shusha Shushi have suspended their action following the installation of an Azerbaijani border checkpoint on the corridor According to identical articles published across Azerbaijani state and pro government news websites on Friday afternoon the eco activists said they were very happy with the establishment of a border control mechanism which they reportedly said would ensur e transparency rule of law and safety of traffic on the road Loe Catherine 27 April 2023 Azerbaijan sets up checkpoints on the Lachin corridor Economist Intelligence Unit Retrieved 3 May 2023 The move installation of a checkpoint has increased the blockade of Nagorny Karabakh A checkpoint on the border would give Azerbaijan the ability to stop any cars travelling between Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh Gray Sebastien 26 March 2023 Azerbaijan Makes Advances in Artsakh Violating Ceasefire Atlas News Retrieved 31 March 2023 Russian peacekeepers have been notified of the latest incident and have stated they are presently in talks with Azerbaijan to withdraw from the area and stop engineering work that Azerbaijan began after taking the position ahmedbeyli samira 27 March 2023 Azerbaijan takes control of country roads in Karabakh English Jamnews Retrieved 28 March 2023 Statement on Azerbaijan s Noncompliance with February 22nd ICJ Order to Unblock Lachin Corridor Lemkin Institute Retrieved 13 April 2023 Nagorno Karabakh civilian shot dead in apparent ceasefire violation 11 October 2021 Archived from the original on 16 October 2021 Retrieved 16 October 2021 Russian peacekeeping mission confirms the killing of Armenian civilian by Azerbaijani armed forces www newsinfo am Retrieved 10 November 2021 permanent dead link U S Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs condemns killing of Armenian civilian by Azeri military armenpress am Archived from the original on 12 November 2021 Retrieved 12 November 2021 DoS Europe and Eurasia 9 November 2021 We condemn the violence that caused the death of an Armenian civilian We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to intensify their engagement including through the Minsk Group Co Chairs to resolve all outstanding issues related to or resulting from the N K conflict Twitter Archived from the original on 9 November 2021 Retrieved 12 November 2021 Mkrtchian Anush 24 March 2022 Nagorno Karabakh On The Verge Of A Humanitarian Disaster Ազատ Եվրոպա Ազատություն Ռադիոկայան Archived from the original on 1 April 2022 Retrieved 1 April 2022 Karabakh accuses Azerbaijan of again cutting off gas supplies Eurasianet 22 March 2022 Archived from the original on 1 April 2022 Retrieved 1 April 2022 Azerbaijan and Russia s Invasion of Ukraine www cacianalyst org Retrieved 5 May 2023 Tensions rise again as Azerbaijani forces cross line of contact report The Jerusalem Post 24 March 2022 Archived from the original on 24 March 2022 Retrieved 26 March 2022 Azerbaijan withdraws forces from Artsakh s Parukh Public Radio of Armenia 27 March 2022 Archived from the original on 27 March 2022 Retrieved 30 March 2022 Informacionnyj byulleten Ministerstva oborony Rossijskoj Federacii o deyatelnosti rossijskogo mirotvorcheskogo kontingenta v zone nagorno karabahskogo konflikta na 27 marta 2022 g in Russian Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation 27 March 2022 Archived from the original on 27 March 2022 Retrieved 27 March 2022 Tensions mount in Karabakh as parties exchange blame GlobalVoices 31 March 2022 Archived from the original on 1 April 2022 Retrieved 1 April 2022 Artsakh Azerbaijani Troops Remain Entrenched on Karaglukh Heights Hetq 30 March 2022 Archived from the original on 1 April 2022 Retrieved 1 April 2022 Azerbaijani forces entirely withdrawn to initial positions near Seysulan Artsakh Armenpress 16 April 2022 Archived from the original on 20 April 2022 Retrieved 21 April 2022 Tensions flare in Nagorno Karabakh OC Media 2 August 2022 Archived from the original on 3 August 2022 Retrieved 3 August 2022 a b New tensions explode over Karabakh 3 soldiers killed RFI 3 August 2022 Archived from the original on 3 August 2022 Retrieved 3 August 2022 Green Anna 4 March 2021 Russia s Increasing Military Presence in Armenia EVN Report Retrieved 19 June 2023 a b Treading a Tightrope on the Armenian Border Reviewing the First Two Months of the EU s New Mission in the South Caucasus Caucasus Watch 25 April 2023 Retrieved 19 June 2023 Treading a Tightrope on the Armenian Border Reviewing the First Two Months of the EU s New Mission in the South Caucasus Caucasus Watch 25 April 2023 Retrieved 19 June 2023 In an ironic twist the unarmed European observers in Armenia and the armed Russian peacekeepers have begun to look alike both preventing full scale warfare but unable to fully contain Baku s ambitions The Russian peacekeepers political scientist Nerses Kopalyan commented sharply function more like an impotent observation mission than an armed contingent a b c Kovatchev Andrey Report on EU Armenia relations A9 0036 2023 European Parliament www europarl europa eu Retrieved 18 March 2023 Whereas Russia s alleged readiness to guarantee the security of Armenia has proven to be non existent as demonstrated by its lack of response to Azerbaijan s continuous attacks even in the light of Armenia s attempt to resort to the Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO The European Parliament Recalls that the clauses of the CSTO were not activated either during the 2020 war or in September 2022 despite Armenian requests encourages Armenia in order to ensure better protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity to consider the possibility of diversifying its partnerships and potential security alliances with its regional and Euro Atlantic partners as its long standing reliance on Russia and its allies in the CSTO has proved insufficient span, wikipedia, 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