Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Quick Facts: Who was Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

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Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

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Ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Origins & Early Life

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, inhabited mostly by ethnic Armenians until their expulsion in 2023, and seven surrounding districts, inhabited mostly by Azerbaijanis until their expulsion during the 1990s. The Nagorno-Karabakh region was entirely claimed by and partially controlled by the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, but was recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan gradually re-established control over Nagorno-Karabakh region and the seven surrounding districts. Throughout the Soviet period, Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast were heavily discriminated against. The Soviet Azerbaijani authorities suppressed Armenian culture and identity in Nagorno-Karabakh, pressured Armenians to leave the region, and encouraged Azerbaijanis to settle within it, although Armenians remained the majority population.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Motivated by fears of cultural and physical erasure under government policies from Azerbaijan, the Karabakh Movement advocated for the reunification ("miatsum") of the enclave with Soviet Armenia. A referendum in 1988 was held to transfer the region to Soviet Armenia, citing self-determination laws in the Soviet constitution. The Karabakh Movement was met with a series of pogroms against Armenians across Azerbaijan, before violence committed against both Armenians and Azerbaijanis occurred. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war in the early 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The war was won by Artsakh and Armenia, and led to occupation of regions around Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Azerbaijan and Turkey responded with a transportation and economic blockade of Armenia which persists to this day, while Artsakh was also blockaded until 2023. There were expulsions of ethnic Armenians from Azerbaijan and ethnic Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the Armenian-controlled areas. The ceasefire ending the war, signed in 1994 in Bishkek, was followed by two decades of relative stability, which significantly deteriorated in the 2010s. A four-day escalation in April 2016 resulted in hundreds of casualties but only minor changes to the front line. In late 2020, the large-scale Second Nagorno-Karabakh War resulted in thousands of casualties and a significant Azerbaijani victory.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1988: 1988 Milestone — A referendum in 1988 was held to transfer the region to Soviet Armenia, citing self-determination laws in the Soviet constitution.
2. 1994: 1994 Milestone — The ceasefire ending the war, signed in 1994 in Bishkek, was followed by two decades of relative stability, which significantly deteriorated in the 2010s.
3. 2016: 2016 Milestone — A four-day escalation in April 2016 resulted in hundreds of casualties but only minor changes to the front line.
4. 2020: 2020 Milestone — In late 2020, the large-scale Second Nagorno-Karabakh War resulted in thousands of casualties and a significant Azerbaijani victory.
5. 2023: 2023 Milestone — The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, inhabited mostly by ethnic Armenians until their expulsion in 2023, and seven surrounding districts, inhabited mostly by Azerbaijanis until their expulsion during the 1990s.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

True or False: “The initial control of the region by an unrecognised polity was established in 1920, not 1918.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Armenians formed an unrecognised polity known as the Karabakh Council in 1918.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alan Arkin — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Agnes Nixon — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Pioneering soap opera writer and producer, creator of 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children'.
• Alan Parker — Historical peer (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Albert Uderzo — Historical peer (Died in 2020) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.

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