The End of Nagorno-Karabakh's De Facto Independence

The End of Nagorno-Karabakh's De Facto Independence

   Nagorno-Karabakh, a landlocked and mountainous region in the South Caucasus, has long stood at the heart of one of the most persistent and complex conflicts in the post-Soviet era. Although internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, the region had been predominantly inhabited and governed by ethnic Armenians since the late 1980s. This self-governance was strongly supported—politically, militarily, and financially—by Armenia. For decades, the region operated under the self-declared “Republic of Artsakh,” an unrecognized breakaway entity that even Armenia did not officially acknowledge.

   The roots of the conflict trace back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when ethnic tensions and competing territorial claims escalated into a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements and ongoing international mediation, the conflict remained unresolved and periodically reignited into violent clashes.

   A major turning point occurred in September 2023, when Azerbaijani forces launched a rapid military operation, bolstered by Turkish-made drones. The operation swiftly resulted in the recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Armenian military presence in the region collapsed within days.

   Following the offensive, the vast majority of the region’s ethnic Armenian population fled, citing fears of reprisals and the loss of autonomy. On January 1, 2024, the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) was officially dissolved. This development marked the end of its de facto independence and restored full Azerbaijani control over the territory, reshaping the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus.

   While these events have effectively concluded the territorial dispute, they have left behind unresolved humanitarian, legal, and political challenges—particularly regarding the rights and future of the displaced Armenian population. Although uncertainty remains, the recent finalization of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan offers a glimmer of hope for a more stable and peaceful future in the region.

  Source:
Euronews. (2025, March 13). Nagorno-Karabakh issue: Armenia and Azerbaijan agree on peace. Retrieved from https://tr.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/13/daglik-karabag-sorunu-ermenistan-ve-azerbaycan-baris-icin-anlasti