Nagorno-Karabakh Region

21 Sep Nagorno-Karabakh Region

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Nagorno-Karabakh Region”. This topic has relevance in the “International Relations” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

Where is Nagarno Karabakh?

Where is Lachin Corridor?

For Mains:

GS2:  International Relations 

Why in the news?

On Wednesday, Armenian separatist forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area of the South Caucasus surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire, just 24 hours after Azerbaijan launched an offensive to retake complete control of the territory.

About the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

• Historical background

• • The Nagorno-Karabakh region is located in the southern Caucasus mountains and has been a contested territory for centuries. The region has been ruled by various empires and kingdoms over the centuries, including the Persian Empire, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union.
  • The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was founded within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic by the Soviet Union in 1923. Although the region was granted some autonomy, it remained under the supervision of the Azerbaijani government.

• The rise of nationalism 

• • In the late 20th century, nationalism began rising in Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

• • In 1988, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh began demanding the region’s transfer to Armenia. This led to regional tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis and eventually to violence.

• The First Nagorno-Karabakh War

• • In 1991, Armenia and Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union. The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh escalated into a full-scale war from 1991 to 1994. Tens of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands more were displaced as a result of the war.

• The aftermath of the war

• • The war ended with a ceasefire agreement 1994, but the conflict remained unresolved. Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories remained under the control of Armenian forces.

• Present Status

• • In the years since the war, there have been numerous ceasefire violations and occasional skirmishes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. The conflict remains a significant source of tension and a potential for renewed war.
  • In September 2020, clashes erupted, quickly becoming the deadliest since the 1990s. Armenia claimed Azerbaijan initiated the conflict by launching a major offensive, while Baku argued it responded to provocations.
  • A truce mediated by Russian peacekeepers in 2020 temporarily halted the conflict after Azerbaijan had recaptured areas in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

Recent Developments in Nagorno-Karabakh

• Azerbaijan’s Blockade of Lachin Corridor: Over the past nine months, Azerbaijan has blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only access to the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave from Armenia.
• Humanitarian Crisis and Accusations: 
  • Since December 2022, when the embargo was first implemented, residents of Nagorno-Karabakh have accused Azerbaijan of producing a humanitarian disaster.
  • They claim it has resulted in the crippling of critical civilian infrastructure, including access to gas, electricity, health services, and internet access. 
  • Nagorno-Karabakh has also accused Azerbaijan of blocking the import of essential goods, leading to shortages of everyday supplies like food and water.
    

    New Offensive

    • A ceasefire was agreed upon in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 20, 2023, after Azerbaijan launched a new military offensive against the local Armenian government. 
    • The ceasefire was proposed by Russian peacekeepers and accepted by the separatist Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sources: Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reach cease-fire deal for breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh, officials say

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 21st Sep 2023

Q1. With reference to Nagorno-Karabakh recently seen in the news, consider the following statements: 

1. The Nagorno-Karabakh region is located in the southern Balkan Mountains.
2. It is a disputed area within Armenia that Azerbaijan contests.
3. Armenia and Azerbaijan declared their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) None 

Check Answer

Q2. Consider the following:

How many of the abovementioned pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) Only three 

(d) All Four 

Check Answer

Q3.  Discuss the historical context, causes, and international implications of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Evaluate the role of major international actors in resolving or exacerbating the conflict. 

Gaurav N