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Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed region within Azerbaijan, with a predominantly ethnic Armenian population. It has a complex history, being claimed by various kingdoms and empires, and has been the site of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia since the early 20th century. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh fought for independence with the support of Armenia, resulting in a de facto independence that remains unrecognized.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed nation that resides within the nation of Azerbaijan. The region covers 1,700 square miles (4,400 square km), making it slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. It is within Azerbaijan but is close to the border with Armenia and has a predominantly ethnic Armenian population.
This region shares most of its ancient history with Armenia. It was part of the lands claimed by the Kingdom of Armenia in the 6th century BC, and was subjected to the many invasions that plagued Armenia, passing through the hands of the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, Ottomans and Russians.
After the Russian Revolution, several independent states were formed in the region in 1918. Two of these states, the Democratic Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, fell into immediate conflict. Ethnic strife between Azeris and Armenians, as well as religious strife between predominantly Christian Armenians and majority Muslim Azeris, led to skirmishes all along the border and internal purges of opposition groups. During this conflict, Azerbaijan claimed the region.
In 1918 the Nagorno-Karabakhs formed their own government, claiming autonomy and not recognizing Azerbaijani control, instead turning to their own People’s Government of Karabakh. Azerbaijan, with the assistance of the Ottoman Turks, crossed over and brutally repressed the Armenians, including those of Nagorno-Karabakh, eventually exterminating nearly 20% of the population.
After World War II and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, Azerbaijan reasserted its claim to Nagorno-Karabakh, this time with the support of the British. The area’s ethnic Armenians have again asserted their desire for sovereignty, but the British have pushed through the region’s integration with Azerbaijan. In 1920 the region turned to Armenia, declaring its desire to be absorbed into the Armenian nation.
When the Soviets took control of Armenia and Azerbaijan, they formally formed part of Nagorno-Karabakh as an autonomous region of Azerbaijan. For the next 70 years the residents of Nargorno-Karabakh lived under Soviet-controlled Azerbaijan, being treated as second-class citizens, with numerous reports of violence against ethnic Armenians in the area.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh once again began to seriously fight for independence. Armenia supported the fighters with ammunition, supplies and volunteers against the Azerbaijani army. Armenia soon began to traditionally engage Azerbaijan, pushing into their territory and grabbing large amounts of land. The vast majority of Azerbaijanis were driven out of the area over the next few years and Armenia continues to hold a chunk of Azerbaijani land, forming the Lachin Corridor to connect Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.
The military controls the entire region at this point and a ceasefire was reached in 1994. Due to Azerbaijan’s lack of control over the area, the area achieved a de facto independence, which it officially proclaimed in 1992, although it remains unrecognized. Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are closely related, with a strong mix of trade and politics.
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