ARMENIA VS AZERBAIJAN

We all heard about the tension that was raised between Armenia and Azerbaijan this July after either one of the parties or both cease fire at each other over the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh. This conflict is now descended to a small war and can move to a full fled war with multiple countries involved. But why are they fighting and what for??

The clashes are part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, region in the South Caucasus between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both of these countries were part of USSR and so was the disputed territory. At the time when USSR was active the conflicted territory didn’t belonged to both of the parties and was under direct control of USSR. But after demise of USSR in 1991 the conflicted area went to Azerbaijan, which Armenia opposed that escalated quickly to war. Thus from last three decades Nagorno-Karabakh is a de jure part of Azerbaijan, but is de facto held by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, which is supported by Armenia.

Now here we are, 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and the self-proclaimed, Republic of Artsakh together with Armenia in the region, and was the latest escalation of the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The clashes began on the morning of 27 September 2020 along the Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact. Both sides reported military and civilian casualties. In response to the clashes, Armenia and Artsakh introduced martial law and total mobilization, while Azerbaijan introduced martial law and a curfew on 28 September, partial mobilization was declared in Azerbaijan.

Numerous countries and the United Nations strongly condemned the conflict and called on both sides to deescalate tensions and resume meaningful negotiations without delay. Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan, although the extent of its support is disputed.

International analysts believe that fighting was probably initiated by Azerbaijan after thousands of Azerbaijanis demonstrated for war against Armenia, and that primary goals for its offensive were likely to capture districts in southern Nagorno-Karabakh that are less mountainous and thus easier to take than the well-fortified interior of the region. Turkey's support for Azerbaijan was thought to be an attempt to extend its sphere of influence both by increasing the standing of Azerbaijan in the conflict and by marginalizing Russia's influence over the region as Russia is one who has good relation with both of these countries.

BY - PRATHAM