Armenia’s Prime Minister’s office has reported a significant spike in the number of displaced persons from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Approximately 100,000 individuals, out of the region’s 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents, have been forced to migrate through the Lachin Corridor seeking asylum and safety.
In a nocturnal operation, over 40 buses transported nearly 2,000 displaced individuals from Khankendi (Stepanakert) to relief centers located in the cities of Goris and Vayk. Both cities are currently hosting tens of thousands of displaced individuals, providing them with shelter in tents and mobile homes.
The Unstoppable Tide of Displacement
Security and official sources have affirmed that there are no plans to send additional buses to transport the Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. It has been indicated that all individuals desiring to leave the region have already been evacuated in recent days up until last Friday evening.
Nazeli Baghdasarian, spokeswoman for the Armenian Prime Minister, disclosed during a Friday evening press conference that more than 97,000 displaced persons have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh. Of this number, 20,609 were transported by vehicles and 74,382 individuals were officially registered upon crossing the border.
Armenia’s Inability to Safeguard Separatists
Armenia has supported the separatists for decades, but has ultimately proven unable to protect them in recent conflicts.
The nation dispatched civilian buses from its capital, Yerevan, to assist in evacuating individuals. Volunteers welcomed the purple buses at the border, providing them with bread and water through the windows.
Azerbaijan Stands Firm on its Stance
Azerbaijan asserts that it will respect the rights of Armenians choosing to remain but has unequivocally dismantled the concept of a separatist state. Azerbaijan announced on Friday that it would permit a United Nations team to visit the region within days, addressing a key demand from Western nations.
Conclusion: A Humanitarian Crisis on the Rise
The latest bout of displacement, resulting in the migration of 97,735 displaced individuals into Armenia, has exacerbated the ongoing crisis and is raising alarms about the potential strain on Armenia’s resources and the overall stability of the region. The overall number of displaced people is estimated to potentially reach 120,000 – equating to the entirety of Karabakh’s population.
Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory, has once again become the epicenter of ethnic tension and military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This region, though internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has been administered by ethnic Armenians for decades. The situation has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis, witnessed by the displacement of large populations.
