Armenia Azerbaijan Conflict

A war is currently being fought between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, in the southern Caucasus, separates Armenia and Azerbaijan. During the reign of the Soviet Union, the territory was split up and given to the Azerbaijanis despite the population's Armenian majority. Later on, in the early 1980s when the Soviet Union began to fall, Nagorno-Karabakh voted to become part of Armenia triggering a war. Between 1988 and 1994 after both neighboring countries declared their independence from the Union as well, Armenia backed the separatists while the Azerbaijanis tried to suppress them. During this war, 1 million were displaced from the territory and 30,000 were killed. Today still, Nagorno-Karabakh is officially part of Azerbaijan, but it is controlled by a separatist republic made up of ethnic Armenians.

This situation becomes more complicated as we look through a more international scope. Turkey and Azerbaijan have had a very friendly relationship as a result of the two countries similar culture. Turkey has backed Azerbaijan even closing their borders to Armenians during the war in the early 90s. On the other side, Russia has really good relations with Armenia even possessing an army base on their grounds. However, Russia also is friendly with Azerbaijan and is therefore advocating for a ceasefire.

While numerous international powers have condemned the war (US, France, Russia), there continues to be conflict. Meanwhile, the Turkish president stated that it was naive of the US, France, and Russia to suggest a ceasefire after only being involved as of very recently. The Turkish President Recep Erdogan said a ceasefire was only achievable by Armenia surrendering the territories. Moreover, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirms that the Turks have sent Syrian jihadists to fight in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The conflict clearly has many layers, and continues to unfold. As of right now approximately 600 people, civilian and soldier, have been killed in the conflict. While I know little about international relations and the dynamics of culture and people in Armenia and Azerbaijan, I do know that finding a way to resolve tensions between neighboring countries is possible. I am frustrated that, on top of the already complex relationship between the two concerned countries, international powers such as Turkey, Russia, and Syria are getting involved as this will only cause more conflict. During a time as chaotic and uncertain as now, we must focus on what brings us together, and let what separates us only add to our appreciation of each other. I remain hopeful that a ceasefire can be reached and relations can improve.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54324772

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-10/we-will-never-leave-fighting-for-decades-over-the-mountainous-region-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54366616

https://news.sky.com/story/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-number-of-people-killed-in-clashes-reaches-600-12103310#:~:text=The%20contested%20territory's%20military%20said,42%20civilians%20had%20been%20killed.