jfid – Armenia and Azerbaijan are two neighboring countries located in the Caucasus region, an area bordered by Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the Caspian Sea.
Both countries have a long and complicated history, especially concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh region, an area inhabited by Armenians but officially part of Azerbaijan.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been ongoing since the 20th century when both countries were still part of the Soviet Union.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought for control over Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a war that lasted until 1994. The war claimed tens of thousands of lives and resulted in over a million people being displaced.
Although ceasefire agreements have been signed, tensions between the two countries remain high, and sporadic fighting continues along the border.
In 2020, the conflict escalated again when Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack on Nagorno-Karabakh with assistance from its ally, Turkey.
The attack successfully recaptured much of the territory previously held by Armenia, resulting in over 6,500 casualties.
The conflict only ended in November 2020 when Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a peace deal sponsored by Russia, a key player in the region.
Under the agreement, Armenia was required to hand over some territories in Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, and Russia would deploy 2,000 peacekeeping troops to maintain stability in the region.
However, the peace agreement did not address the root causes of the conflict, namely the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and the fate of its inhabitants.
Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh feel unsafe and unrecognized by Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijanis displaced from the region want to return to their homeland.
Additionally, there are other issues fueling distrust and hostility between the two countries, such as prisoners of war, civilian casualties, destruction of cultural sites, and territorial claims.
Recently, in February 2024, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of planning a full-scale war against it after clashes at the border resulted in the deaths of four Armenian soldiers.
Azerbaijan denied the allegations and blamed Armenia for violating the ceasefire. Both countries accused each other of initiating the fighting and demanded the other side to stop provocations.
This situation raises concerns that the conflict could reignite and involve other countries with interests in the region, such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, and France.
If this happens, the impact would be significant, not only for the two conflicting countries but also for regional and global stability and security.
Therefore, it is crucial for Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise restraint and respect the agreed-upon peace agreement. Additionally, dialogue and mediation from neutral parties such as the UN, OSCE, or the EU are needed to help address unresolved issues and create lasting and fair peace for both countries.
