Azerbaijan has temporarily suspended traffic through the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Armenia to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, accusing the Armenian Red Cross of smuggling goods into the area. The State Border Service of Azerbaijan stated that the suspension was necessary to investigate the discovery of various types of contraband in Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia. The items allegedly being smuggled included mobile phones, phone spare parts, cigarettes, and gasoline. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) denied these allegations, stating that none of the vehicles under its control were involved in smuggling.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh dates back to the early 1990s, resulting in the deaths of around 30,000 people. The predominantly Armenian-populated region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenians since the war in the 1990s. In 2020, a new war erupted, claiming the lives of nearly 7,000 soldiers on both sides. The conflict concluded with a Russian-brokered ceasefire and the deployment of 2,000 Russian troops in the region as peacekeepers. Despite the presence of Russian troops and the ceasefire, sporadic fighting and loss of life have continued.
Since December 12, Azerbaijani protesters have blocked a section of the road, identifying themselves as environmentalists and demanding inspections of illegal ore mines in Karabakh. Azerbaijani officials claim they are not encouraging the protesters, but they have not taken action to remove them. They emphasize that the road remains open for humanitarian cargo, emergency services, and peacekeepers.
In April, tensions escalated when Azerbaijan established a checkpoint at the beginning of the Lachin Corridor, despite a decision by the International Court of Justice ordering Azerbaijan to ensure the free movement of goods and vehicles on the road. Armenia accused Azerbaijan of imposing a blockade on Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan insists that it is not impeding the free movement through the Lachin Corridor. Baku stated that the checkpoint was established to prevent the smuggling of weapons and other illegal goods into Nagorno-Karabakh.
It is crucial to present a balanced view of the situation, including different perspectives and opinions. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in a long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, with each side claiming historical rights to the region. The road closure adds to the existing tensions and highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.
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