Fact Check: Why is Azerbaijan at War with Armenia?
What We Know
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh is a long-standing territorial dispute that has roots dating back to the early 20th century. The region, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, was incorporated into Soviet Azerbaijan. As the Soviet Union began to collapse, ethnic tensions escalated, leading to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War from 1991 to 1994, which resulted in Armenian control over the region and the establishment of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh. However, this republic was never recognized internationally, including by Armenia itself (source-1, source-2).
In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive described as an “anti-terrorist operation” aimed at disarming the Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. This operation followed a period of heightened tensions, exacerbated by Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor, which had caused severe humanitarian issues in the region (source-1, source-2). The offensive resulted in the rapid defeat of local Armenian forces, leading to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from the region (source-1, source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Azerbaijan is at war with Armenia is supported by a series of events that unfolded in 2023, particularly the military offensive launched by Azerbaijan against the self-declared Republic of Artsakh. This offensive was characterized by significant military action and was framed by Azerbaijan as a necessary measure to restore order and disarm Armenian forces in the region (source-1, source-2).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with academic analysis from a legal perspective provided in the first source, which discusses the implications of Azerbaijan's actions under international law. The Wikipedia entry, while informative, should be cross-referenced with other reputable news sources for the most current and nuanced understanding of the conflict (source-1, source-2).
Moreover, reports from organizations such as the BBC and The New York Times corroborate the escalation of violence and the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation (source-6, source-7).
The framing of the conflict as a war is further supported by the significant military engagement and the resulting humanitarian crisis, which has led to accusations of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijan (source-2, source-4).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Azerbaijan is at war with Armenia is accurate based on the recent military actions taken by Azerbaijan in September 2023, which were characterized as an offensive against the Armenian-controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The historical context, the escalation of military conflict, and the humanitarian implications all support this conclusion.
Sources
- Complete Defeat and the End of the Non-Recognized State of ...
- 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh - Wikipedia
- 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh - Wikipedia
- Explainer: What is happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan over ...
- Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Nagorno-Karabakh: Conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenians explained - BBC
- Understanding the Dispute Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict | Global Conflict Tracker
