Azerbaijan's deliberate destruction of Armenian presence in Artsakh is fueling fear and causing an exodus of Armenians from the region.
Armenia faces immediate challenges in providing housing, food, and medical assistance to the influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, with long-term implications for political stability.
The international community's lack of attention and action towards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict leaves the affected population feeling abandoned and enables malicious actors to act with impunity.
Deep dives
The dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is dire, with over 120,000 refugees fleeing the region due to bombings and a blockade by Azerbaijan. Reports of war crimes, including killing civilians and looting, have surfaced, causing Armenians to flee. Azerbaijan has claimed a plan for reintegration, but their actions indicate a deliberate attempt to destroy the Armenian presence. The Azeri forces have bulldozed homes and destroyed Armenian heritage, fueling fear and an exodus of Armenians from the region.
The immediate and long-term challenges
Armenia is facing immediate and long-term challenges due to the influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. Immediate needs include housing, food, warm clothing, and medical assistance. With a sudden 12% increase in population, Armenia must find permanent settlements for these refugees. The political stability of the country is also at risk, with betrayed Armenians potentially joining anti-government protests. The international community is providing some funding and assistance, but there is still much to be done to support these displaced individuals.
The failure of the international response
The international response to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been criticized for its lack of attention and action. Despite warnings and pleas for intervention, the world remained silent until the situation escalated. The media's failure to adequately report on the conflict has been particularly troubling, reflecting vanity and selective coverage. This lack of international support not only leaves the affected population feeling abandoned but also enables malicious actors to carry out their actions with impunity. The importance of amplifying these underreported conflicts and holding accountable those responsible cannot be understated.
Impact of the conflict on the displaced population
The podcast sheds light on the harrowing experiences of the displaced population affected by the conflict. It narrates the stories of individuals from border villages who faced decapitation and artillery attacks by Azerbaijani forces. These individuals had to flee through forests on foot to reach safety. They endured days of hardship, living outside in the rain. The podcast highlights the overwhelming determination of these individuals to leave Azerbaijan, as they were fully aware of the dangers of staying. The tragic explosion of a fuel distribution depot further worsened the situation, causing numerous casualties.
Occupation of Armenian territory by Azerbaijan
The podcast reveals that Azerbaijan has occupied a significant portion of Armenian territory, creating a one to two kilometer-wide sliver along the eastern border. This occupation has affected various areas of Armenia and encroached upon previously unestablished defensive parameters. The host emphasizes the irony of Azerbaijan using territorial integrity as justification, despite its own precarious border definition and the fact that Azerbaijan itself was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. The podcast also highlights the bias and superficial comparisons made by some journalists, who enable the narrative of Azerbaijan while disregarding historical context and the fundamental principle of self-determination.
Today we speak to journalist Raffi Elliott about the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh / Karabakh. He's been on the ground as hundreds of thousands of Armenian refugees flood over the border from Azeri persecution.
