Title: Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh Face Dire Humanitarian Crisis Amid Ongoing Blockade
Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan but predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, has been plagued by an Azerbaijani blockade for nine months. These measures have severely restricted access to vital supplies, leaving the population grappling with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
The gravity of the situation prompted the UN Security Council to address the issue, following claims by a former International Criminal Court prosecutor suggesting that the blockade could potentially amount to genocide against the local Armenian population. The prosecutor’s remarks have shed light on the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for intervention.
Recognizing the dire humanitarian situation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the resumption of relief deliveries through any available routes. Meanwhile, Armenia’s foreign minister has emphasized the need to prevent a “humanitarian disaster” in Nagorno-Karabakh and has called for international assistance.
The ongoing blockade has also highlighted Russia’s struggle to exert influence in neighboring post-Soviet states, particularly in the wake of its focus on the war in Ukraine. The crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh exposes the limitations of Russia’s regional influence, which has ramifications beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns.
The conflict between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan dates back to the 1990s when the enclave broke away from Azerbaijan after a war. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a successful military campaign to retake territories in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. Since then, road links between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have been dependent on the Lachin corridor, which was subsequently blockaded by Azerbaijani civilians and further tightened by border guards in December.
The former ICC prosecutor’s claims of potential genocide through the blockade have been met with opposition from Azerbaijan and its appointed lawyer. They have dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated and argue that Azerbaijan has offered to open supply routes to Nagorno-Karabakh through its controlled territory. However, this offer is contingent on the separatist authorities dissolving and integrating the region into Azerbaijan, a demand the Armenian side sees as attempting to force Karabakh into surrender unconditionally.
Despite enduring immense hardships, the resilient inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh remain determined to stay in their ancestral homeland. Unfortunately, living conditions in the enclave continue to worsen, with scarcity and limited access to essential resources persisting.
The urgent situation in Nagorno-Karabakh necessitates swift international action to alleviate the suffering of its residents and prevent further deterioration. The blockade must be lifted, and humanitarian aid must be promptly provided to ensure the well-being and basic needs of the population are met. Only through concerted efforts and diplomatic interventions can the people of Nagorno-Karabakh find relief from the ongoing crisis.
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