Title: Siege and Starvation Grip Nagorno-Karabakh Enclave Amid Azerbaijan’s Blockade
In a region fraught with conflict and tensions, Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian enclave located within Azerbaijan’s territory, is currently grappling with dire conditions as essential supplies remain blocked. The mounting siege has put the local Armenian population at risk of starvation and has given rise to an alarming humanitarian crisis. As Azerbaijan denies the existence of a blockade and cites environmental violations as their reason for intervention, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh suffer the consequences of this prolonged ordeal.
Situated in the picturesque South Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh is home to approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Previously, their basic foodstuffs, medicines, and fuel were shipped via truck from the Armenian capital, Yerevan, albeit a strenuous and lengthy journey of five hours through the mountainous Lachin corridor. However, in December last year, Azerbaijan blocked this vital road, subjecting the local population to a relentless siege. Although Red Cross vehicles and sick patients are occasionally allowed passage, a newly erected checkpoint in April and subsequent road blockage on June 14th have exacerbated the situation, leaving Nagorno-Karabakh in a state of acute shortages.
The enclave now faces a severe scarcity of food, critical medicines, hygiene products, and even infant formula, as confirmed by the International Committee for the Red Cross. Supermarkets are stripped bare, public transportation is halted due to the lack of fuel, and daily life, including water and electricity access, has been severely disrupted. It appears that Baku’s objective is to starve the locals into submission, hoping that they will eventually abandon the region once the road is reopened. This slow-motion genocide, employing hunger as a weapon, is vehemently denied by Azerbaijan, dismissing Armenia’s claims as unsubstantiated and inaccurate.
The crisis deepens with each passing day. Business owners like Hovig Asmaryan from Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have been forced to close down their establishments due to dwindling supplies. Asmaryan, like many others, is now grappling with the loss of a bountiful orchard that bears no fruits since he cannot access it without petrol. They face a relentless struggle as the situation deteriorates further, but their spirit remains unyielding.
An eerie scene unfolds in Stepanakert, where stores remain shuttered and supermarket shelves sit empty. The barter system has emerged as a desperate measure, with locals exchanging homegrown fruits for vegetables. However, it is clear that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are teetering on the edge of survival, deprived of basic sustenance.
With tensions deeply rooted since the aftermath of the Russian empire’s collapse in 1917, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have long laid claim to Karabakh. In 1990s, Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in a bloody war, only for Azerbaijan to reclaim portions of the region in 2020 following a second brutal conflict. While Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, renounced any claims on Karabakh’s secession, he remains steadfast in urging the protection of their rights.
Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev, is determined to maintain its military victory and shows no willingness to compromise. Boosted by his perceived success in dealing with both Russia and the West, Aliyev has utilized coercion alongside diplomacy to fulfill his agenda regarding the Armenians. Experts argue that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has emboldened Aliyev even further.
Russia, entrusted with ensuring road transport between Armenia and Karabakh remains open as part of the 2020 ceasefire agreement, has fallen short of its commitment. The failure to fulfill this responsibility is seen as a sign of weakness, distracting Russia from addressing the dire humanitarian situation on the ground.
International concern is mounting as the situation worsens. The United Kingdom, United States, and other Western nations have called on Azerbaijan to reopen the crucial Lachin corridor for the transportation of humanitarian aid. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Council President Charles Michel mediating talks between Baku and Yerevan. However, Azerbaijan remains defiant, viewing the conflict as an internal matter and refusing to engage with the local Karabakh population.
The plight of Nagorno-Karabakh remains largely overlooked due to the region’s lack of significant natural resources. The world speaks of human rights, yet this struggle seems to evoke little global interest. Amid the mounting adversity, the people of Karabakh yearn for recognition and support, as they too are humans trying to survive amidst the chaos.
