TheFirst Nagorno-Karabakh War resulted in the displacement of 750,000 Azerbaijanis overall, with roughly 600,000 of them being from Nagorno-Karabakh and theseven surrounding districts, which were majority-Azeri, essentially cleansing all of the occupied territories from its Azerbaijani inhabitants.[20] Similarly, 353,000 Armenians had to flee from Azerbaijan.[21][20] The war ended with aceasefire in 1994, with the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh in control of most of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as occupying thesurrounding districts ofAgdam,Jabrayil,Fuzuli,Kalbajar,Qubadli,Lachin andZangilan of Azerbaijan and theLachin Corridor - a mountain pass that links Nagorno-Karabakh with mainland Armenia.[22]
For almost three decades, multiple violations of the ceasefire have occurred, the most serious incidents prior to the current conflict being the2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes.[23] Long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by theOSCE Minsk Group in 1994, with the interruptedMadrid Principles being the most recent iteration.[24][25][26] While it is unclear how the present inhabitants of the area want to administer the territory, surveys indicate that they do not want to be part of Azerbaijan. In August 2019, in an unprecedented declaration in favour of unification, the Armenian Prime Minister,Nikol Pashinyan, visited Nagorno-Karabakh, stating, "Artsakh is Armenia, full stop".[21]
Skirmishes occurred on theborder between Armenia and Azerbaijan in July 2020.[23] Thousands of Azerbaijanis demonstrated for war to retake the occupied territories in response, with Turkey increasing its support of Azerbaijan.[27]
The Azerbaijani forcesstarted operations along theAras River on 27 September, with advancements inJabrayil andFuzuli districts, and the initial objective to seize control ofCəbrayıl andFüzuli.[28] On 9 October, both sides agreed to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire. Shortly after the ceasefire, the President of Artsakh admitted Azerbaijan had been able to achieve some success, moving the front deep into Artsakh territory;[29] the Armenian Prime Minister announced that Armenian forces had conducted a "partial retreat".[30]
However, the ceasefire quickly broke down with both sides accusing each other for breaking it. Following the collapse of the ceasefire, Azerbaijani advance continued. Within days Azerbaijan announced the capture of dozens of villages.[31] The Azerbaijani forces, advancing more along theAras River, captured theKhodaafarin Bridges and the nearbydam.[32] On 20 October, the Azerbaijani forces took control ofZəngilan, just south ofQubadlı,[33] and on 22 October,Ağbənd, thus taking full control over theAzerbaijan–Iran border.[34]
Offensive
On 25 October, the Azerbaijani forces seized control ofQubadlı.
On 23 October, the clashes spilled toQubadlı.[35] In the evening, theAzerbaijani presidentIlham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijani forces had control ofZilanlı,Kürd Mahrızlı,Muğanlı, andAlaqurşaq inQubadli District.[36] The Azerbaijani MoD also released supposed confirmatory footage from one of the villages.[37] Shortly after, Artsakh authorities stated that Azerbaijani forces were attackingLaçın.[38] The following day, clashes overQubadlı yet again continued.[39] At approximately midday, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that the Armenian forces were shellingLachin District from the territory of Armenia;[40] Armenia issued a denial and stated that Laçın was under Artsakh control.[41] ABBC Russian Service correspondent confirmed that the city ofLaçın was occupied by the Armenians, but was under heavy Azerbaijani shelling.[42]
On 25 October, the clashes continued with varying intensity, with the Azerbaijani MoD stating that its forces had seized control of further territory.[43] At night, the Azerbaijani president stated that Azerbaijani forces had seized control ofQubadlı, the administrative center ofGubadly District; Azerbaijan released confirmary footage.[44] Subsequently, the Armenian MoD stated that heavy clashes were occurring.[45] In the evening, the United States announced that both sides had agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire from the morning of 26 October.[46] In the morning, the ceasefire collapsed.[47] According to Azerbaijan, Armenian forces started shelling at 08:05, while according to Armenia, Azerbaijani artillery commenced shelling Armenian positions at 08:45.[48] Subsequently, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Armenian forces were firing upon Azerbaijani positions inSəfiyan inLachin District. The Artsakh authorities and the Armenian prime minister stated that they were "strictly observing" the ceasefire.[49][50]
On 26 October, in midday, the president of Azerbaijan stated that Azerbaijani forces had seized control ofPadar,Əfəndilər,Yusifbəyli,Çay Tumas,Xanlıq,Sarıyataq, andMollabürhan inQubadli District[51] along theHakari Valley.[52] Armenian authorities confirmed that Azerbaijani forces had launched an offensive in the region.[53] At approximately 15:30, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Armenian forces were shellingAghjabadi District.[54] In the evening, the Armenian MoD stated that the Azerbaijani shelling had drastically intensified,[55] and the Artsakh authorities stated that the Azerbaijanis were continuing to launch new offensives,[56] while the Azerbaijani MoD released footage, apparently from Padar.[57] Subsequently, the Armenian authorities admitted that they had lostQubadlı,[58] and that the Azerbaijani forces had reached theArmenia–Azerbaijan border in south.[59] Also, the Azerbaijani MoD released footage from Xanlıq.[60]
On 27 October, the Armenian MoD stated that the Azerbaijani forces were shelling Laçın; Azerbaijan issued a denial.[61] On 29 October,President of Azerbaijan,Ilham Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control ofQiyaslı,Əbılcə, andQilican inQubadli District.[62] Two days later, the Azerbaijani MoD released footage from newly captured villages inHakari Valley.[63] On 2 November, clashes continued nearQubadlı,[64] with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev stating that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control ofİşıqlı,Muradxanlı, andMilanlı inQubadli District later in the day.[65] On 4 November, the clashes continued nearQubadlı[66] andLachin[67] Subsequently, the Armenian forces closed theShusha–Lachin road for civilians.[68] The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of several villages.[69] Next day, the Armenian authorities stated thatLachin was heavily shelled overnight.[70]
Casualties
Military casualties
As of 26 October, the Azerbaijani authorities claimed that they had inflicted heavy losses on Armenian forces, but did not provide specific numbers.[11] On 23 October, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, confirmed that theNational Hero of Azerbaijan,Shukur Hamidov had died during the operations inQubadli District.[71]
Equipment losses
As of 26 October, the Azerbaijani authorities stated that their forces had downed three combat aircraft.[11]
In Azerbaijan, it has been referred to asBattle over Lachin (Azerbaijani:Laçın uğrunda döyüşlər).[12]
References
^ab"Release of the Press Service of the President". Azerbaijan State News Agency. 19 October 2020. Retrieved20 October 2020.Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Chief of the State Border Service (SBS), Colonel General Elchin Guliyev on raising the Azerbaijani flag over the Khudafarin bridge, liberating several residential settlements with the participation of the SBS, and instructed to convey his congratulations to all personnel. Colonel General Elchin Guliyev reported that the State Border Service personnel will continue to decently fulfill all the tasks set by the Commander-in-Chief.
^Yamskov, A. N. (1991).Ethnic Conflict in the Transcausasus: The Case of Nagorno-Karabakh. Vol. 20. p. 659.{{cite book}}:|periodical= ignored (help)
^Hambardzumyan, Viktor (1978).Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Ինքնավար Մարզ (ԼՂԻՄ) [Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO)] (in Armenian). Vol. 4.Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. p. 576.
^Kucera, Joshua (29 September 2020)."As fighting rages, what is Azerbaijan's goal?".EurasiaNet.Archived from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved29 September 2020.The Azerbaijani offensive against Armenian forces is its most ambitious since the war between the two sides formally ended in 1994.
Azerbaijan
Artsakh Defence Army
Armed Forces of Armenia
National Security Service[6]
