What is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and how has it affected Azerbaijan?

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The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a long-standing territorial and ethnic dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, centered around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This conflict has deeply impacted both countries, particularly Azerbaijan, leading to widespread displacement, loss of life, and political tension.

Origins of the Conflict
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked mountainous region Azerbaijan Phone Number List located within Azerbaijan's borders but predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians. The roots of the conflict go back to the early 20th century, but it became especially intense during the 1980s and early 1990s, as the Soviet Union began to weaken. In 1988, as the Soviet Union was nearing collapse, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh sought to join Armenia, leading to violent clashes. The Soviet authorities initially suppressed these tensions, but the conflict reignited in the late 1980s, escalating into full-scale war by the early 1990s.

The First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988–1994)
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia gained independence, and the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh intensified. In 1991, the region declared independence under ethnic Armenian control, although it was not recognized by any country, including Armenia. The ensuing war from 1991 to 1994 resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them Azerbaijanis. The war ended in 1994 with a ceasefire brokered by Russia, but no formal peace agreement was reached. By the end of the war, ethnic Armenians controlled Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, which were officially part of Azerbaijan.

Impact on Azerbaijan
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has had profound and lasting effects on Azerbaijan:

Human Cost: The conflict led to significant loss of life, with an estimated 30,000 people killed during the 1990s fighting. Azerbaijanis were also displaced, with over 700,000 becoming refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom still live in camps and temporary housing today.



Economic Impact: The war and its aftermath hurt Azerbaijan’s economy, which was heavily reliant on agriculture and natural resources. The conflict disrupted trade routes, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced millions from their homes, which impacted productivity and development in the affected regions.

Political and National Identity: The war and the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh have had a lasting impact on Azerbaijan's national identity. The region's loss created deep nationalist sentiment, and its eventual return has been a key issue in Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The conflict shaped Azerbaijan’s leadership, especially in terms of military and security concerns.

Frozen Conflict and Renewed Tensions: Although the 1994 ceasefire ended active fighting, the conflict remained unresolved, with frequent skirmishes and ongoing diplomatic tensions. In the decades following the war, both countries maintained hostile relations, with occasional flare-ups of violence.

The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War
In 2020, the conflict reignited in a six-week war that resulted in significant territorial gains for Azerbaijan. Under President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive that reclaimed large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories. A ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia in November 2020 ended the fighting, but the region remains a source of tension and instability.

In conclusion, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has deeply affected Azerbaijan, resulting in profound human, political, and economic challenges. The war, the displacement of populations, and the ongoing struggle for control over the region have shaped Azerbaijan’s national identity and policies, making it a central issue in the country’s modern history.