Azerbaijan has taken back control of an area called Nagorno-Karabakh after a short military battle against Armenian separatists. This is a big deal because these two groups have been arguing over this area for a long time.

How Azerbaijan Did It

Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, was super proud of his country’s military for getting control of Nagorno-Karabakh so quickly. This region has always been a part of Azerbaijan, but there was a group that wanted to be independent. With Armenia not helping and after being cut off for nine months, the separatists had no choice but to give in.

What This Means for the People There

Now that the fighting is over, people are worried about those who got hurt or killed. Some say that a lot of people died, but it’s hard to know the exact numbers right now.

After the fighting stopped, there was also some confusion about shots being fired near the border, but both sides had different stories.

Russia Steps In

Russia helped make a peace deal between the two sides. According to the deal, the separatists in Karabakh have to give up their weapons, and Armenian soldiers need to leave the area, even though Armenia says they didn’t have soldiers there.

What’s Next for the Area

Azerbaijan wants to talk to the Armenians from Karabakh to figure out how they can live together again. They’re planning to meet in a nearby town called Yevlakh.

People’s Lives Were Affected

Lots of families had to hide during the conflict. Russia is helping some of these people by taking them away from the danger zones. But, people are still worried about how safe it will be for them, especially near a local airport.

What Experts Are Saying

Some experts think that the peace deal is more in favor of Azerbaijan and might not be fair for the Armenians in Karabakh. This could end their long-time dream of being independent from Azerbaijan.

Politics and Support from Other Countries

The leader of Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said he didn’t make the peace deal and wants Russian soldiers to protect the people. He also accused Azerbaijan of hurting Armenian people in the past.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought over Nagorno-Karabakh before. The most recent fight in 2020 saw Azerbaijan take back some important areas with help from Turkey.

Blockade and Russia’s Role

Azerbaijan blocked a road into Karabakh for nine months, causing shortages of things like food and medicine. Russian soldiers were already there because of a previous agreement in 2020.

Even though Armenia is an ally of Russia, Russia seemed more focused on issues in Ukraine.

Shifting Friends and Neighbors

Armenia has been talking more with Western countries like the USA, which might be why Russia didn’t help them as much. People are watching to see how friendships and politics change in this part of the world.

To sum it up, Azerbaijan has taken back Nagorno-Karabakh after a long dispute with Armenian separatists. There are lots of questions about what will happen next, especially for the people living there and the surrounding politics.

FAQ: What You Need to Know About Azerbaijan Taking Back Nagorno-Karabakh

What is Nagorno-Karabakh?

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region in the South Caucasus. Although it’s internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, it’s been a disputed area for decades. A group of ethnic Armenians wanted it to be separate from Azerbaijan, but now Azerbaijan has taken back control.

Why did Azerbaijan launch an offensive?

Azerbaijan wanted to regain control over Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been a disputed territory. They termed this mission as an “anti-terror” operation to remove what they called an “illegal regime” run by separatists.

What’s the role of Russia in all this?

Russia helped broker a peace deal between Azerbaijan and the separatists in Karabakh. They’ve also got peacekeepers on the ground to help maintain the ceasefire.

Were there any casualties?

Yes, both sides have reported casualties, but the numbers aren’t confirmed. Estimates range from a few dozen to several hundred people killed or wounded.

What happens to the people in Nagorno-Karabakh now?

There are ongoing talks about how to reintegrate the population back into Azerbaijan’s governance. Russia has already evacuated some people, and plans are in place to ensure civilians’ safety.

What does Armenia say about all this?

Armenia denies having any troops in Nagorno-Karabakh but wants Russian peacekeepers to protect the local Armenian population. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also accused Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing” in the past.

What about other countries, like Turkey and the USA?

In the past, Turkey has supported Azerbaijan, while the United States has had interactions with Armenia. These relationships might influence future developments in the region.

What is the Lachin Corridor?

The Lachin Corridor is a road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. It was effectively blocked by Azerbaijan for nine months, causing shortages of essential items in the region.

Is this the end of the conflict?

It’s hard to say. While this is a significant development, there are still many questions about the future, especially regarding the safety and rights of the ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

What are the geopolitics involved?

The South Caucasus region is complicated, with shifting alliances and interests from larger powers like Russia and Turkey. The outcome of this conflict could have broader implications for stability in the area.

Is there a peacekeeping force in place?

Yes, Russia has 2,000 peacekeepers in the area, tasked with ensuring the ceasefire holds and safeguarding the local population.

If you have more questions, keep an eye out for updates as this is a rapidly evolving situation.

Sources BBC

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