Armenian- Azerbaijani: “We Have Nothing”
The title of this article comes from a quote by an elderly Armenian woman seeking asylum in Armenia from Azerbaijani forces that invaded her homeland in the Caucasus mountains last week. While the typical assumption upon reading this statement may be that the Azerbaijani government is evil, the relationship between these two nations is complex, reflecting the lasting consequences of Soviet occupation and ethnic cleavage.
Nagorno-Karabakh is the center of this conflict. Nagorno- Karabakh is a disputed territory in the South Caucasus Mountains that is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians since the fall of the Soviet Union. While both states were once part of the Soviet Union after Azerbaijan gained independence in 1990, their national interests have not always aligned with Russian interests, but Armenia has remained a loyal ally to Russia since becoming an independent nation. Consequently, Russia has had hundreds of soldiers posted in Nagorno-Karabakh for years on behalf of Armenia to keep the region from falling into the hands of Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh is important to Putin and Russia because it is considered the birthplace of Azerbaijani identity. Occupying the territory is thus a punishment for Azerbaijan for straying from Russia.
Last week, following a surprising invasion from Azerbaijan, five Russians, 200 Armenians, and dozens of Azerbaijani soldiers were killed. Approximately 20,000 Armenian refugees have fled back past their definitive borders, seeking shelter from the conflict. Around 100,000 Armenians remain in the region, their lives in danger from continued assault by the Azerbaijani army. The international community is concerned about these residents because of claims by “ethnic Armenian leaders” that “thousands are without food or shelter and sleeping in basements, school buildings or outside,” according to reporters at BBC.
The conflict is controversial. While Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that the Azerbaijanis are ethnically cleansing Armenians, leaders from Azerbaijan have said that they want to re-integrate the ethnic Armenians as “equal citizens.” Who knows what to believe: there is some truth in both statements, unfortunately. One thing is for sure: armed conflict is not good for anybody. It destroys homes, businesses, and lives. The international community called for a ceasefire, and envoys from both nations met in Brussels last Tuesday, Sept. 26.
The meeting was productive. Azerbaijan claims that they never wanted to start a war, but their main goal was to create a “corridor” through Armenia to access the westernmost part of their nation, which borders Türkiye. While there may not be reason to panic just yet, time will tell if the Azerbaijan government stays true to its words or if the Armenians choose not to retaliate.
Government Professor Atal Ahmadzai said, “If there is any conflict based on hate, this is the one.” Ahmadzai further states that with Russia’s war in Ukraine, Azerbaijan saw Russia’s focus on the conflict allowed an opportunity for aggressive action in a previously colder climate because of Russia’s position between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the opinion of Ahmadzai, there are no good prospects for Armenia as NATO’s inability to act as a peacekeeper. Members like Türkiye leave Armenia on their own in this, a situation which could have grave consequences.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the middle of this ugly territorial dispute. The U.S. Agency for International Development has pledged $11.5 million in humanitarian assistance. We can educate ourselves on this conflict and help those who have been displaced by donating to Armenian charitable organizations like the “Armenia Fund,” “Armenia General Benevolent Union,” and UNICEF.