Explained: Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict 2020

BACKGROUND OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

Armenia and Azerbaijan both are the Ex-Soviet Republic both of these countries are locked in a contest to gain control over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh from the past two decades.

WHAT IS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

In the 1920s the Soviet government established the Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region where 95 percent of the population was ethnically Armenian inside the Azerbaijan enclave. This region is controlled by the self-declared Republic of Artsakh though the international community does not recognize Artsakh and consider it to be a part of Azerbaijan, The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan started in 1988 when the Karabakh Armenians demanded that Karabakh should be transferred to Armenia from Azerbaijan, During this period the Soviet Union was also about to disintegrate and they started to lose power and grip over this region. This resulted in the rise of the Armenian separatist movement in Azerbaijan to gain control of the strategically important Nagorno-Karabakh region.

This eventually resulted in a full-scale war between 1992-1994. The war ended with wholly or partial control of Armenian Ethical forces over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other districts due to which millions of Azerbaijanis fled from Armenia controlled Nagorno-Karabakh. The end of this war also resulted in a ceasefire agreement in 1994 with Russian mediation after failed attempts of western and European mediation. Though the ceasefire agreement has been violated multiple times like:

1. 2010 violence
2. 2011-2013 continued fighting
3. 2014 clashes and helicopter shootdown
4. Four-day war (2016)

DO YOU KNOW: MORE THAN 30000 PEOPLE LOST THERE LIVES DURING ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN WAR OF 1992-1994.

WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ?

A fresh clash erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the contested region. Till now more than 30 soldiers have lost there lives and hundreds have been wounded. Armenian side claimed that they have shot down 4 Azeri helicopters and multiple tanks but the Azerbaijan defense ministry has declined these claims by Armenia have said these are false claims. The international community including the US, European Union, and Russia has called upon Armenia and Azerbaijan not to violate the ceasefire.

Till Now, the overall death toll rose to 67, including nine civilian deaths: seven in Azerbaijan and two on the Armenian side. Azerbaijan has not reported any military casualties, but Armenian separatist officials released footage showing burnt-out armoured vehicles and the bloodied and charred remains of soldiers in camouflage it said were Azerbaijani troops and this conflict is still on.

Both have of these nations have declared Martial law in their countries and Azerbaijan has declared some regions and cities Under state-of-war against Armenia.

WHAT IS MARTIAL LAW ?

Martial law is the imposition of direct military control of normal civil functions or suspension of civil law by a government, especially in response to a temporary emergency where civil forces are overwhelmed, or in occupied territory.

RELATIONS OF INDIA AND AZERBAIJAN

India recognized Azerbaijan in 1991 and India opened its permanent mission in Baku in 1999 both nations have good relations despite the Backing of Turkey and Pakistan to Azerbaijan.

RELATIONS OF INDIA AND ARMENIA

India recognized Armenia in 1991 after 3 months when Armenia declared it’s independence India opened its first embassy in Armenia in 1999 both nations have cordial and good relations. Armenia also uses India’s indigenously made Swathi Weapon Locating Radar.