UN to Send Mission to Nagorno-Karabakh for the First Time in 30 Years
The United Nations is set to send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh this weekend, marking its first access to the disputed region in approximately three decades. The move comes as reports indicate that over 80% of the population in the region has been displaced.
The announcement follows Azerbaijan’s quick victory over the breakaway territory, bringing an end to years of fighting. However, concerns about the future of the region and its residents persist despite a ceasefire brokered by Russia.
According to Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokeswoman for the Armenian prime minister, by Saturday morning local time, more than 100,000 people had already left Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia. This exodus accounts for over 80% of the estimated population of 120,000 people in the enclave.
Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric stated during a press briefing on Friday that the mission’s visit had been agreed upon by Azerbaijan and would proceed over the weekend. Dujarric emphasized the importance of gaining access to the region after a prolonged period without it.
“While there, the team will seek to assess the situation on the ground and identify the humanitarian needs for both people remaining and the people that are on the move,” added Dujarric.
In response to the mass displacement, Armenian authorities have requested the International Court of Justice, a judicial arm of the UN, to command Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops. They cited fears of “punitive actions” as the reason behind their request.
Armenia has also asked the court to direct Azerbaijan to grant the UN and the Red Cross access to Nagorno-Karabakh and allow people to leave the region freely if they choose to do so.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani state media reported that the country’s security services had detained two former commanders of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh’s military. Loven Mnatsakanyan and Davit Manukyan were intercepted while attempting to cross from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia via the Lachin Corridor.
Mnatsakanyan, who allegedly served as defense minister from 2015 to 2018, was arrested and taken to the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on Friday. He was accused of illegally entering their territory.
Manukyan, the former deputy commander of Nagorno-Karbakh’s armed forces, was detained on Wednesday, as reported by Azerbaijani state media. He faces charges of engaging in terrorism, setting up illegal armed groups, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegally entering Azerbaijan.
The arrests followed the indictment of prominent Nagorno-Karabakh politician and businessman Ruben Vardanyan on multiple charges in Azerbaijan. Vardanyan is accused of financing terrorism, participating in the creation and activities of illegal armed groups, and illegally crossing Azerbaijani borders.
According to state media, Vardanyan was detained while trying to cross into Armenia. However, Azerbaijan has not presented any evidence to support its claims against Vardanyan.
On Thursday, local politician David Babayan, an adviser to the president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, announced on Telegram that he would surrender to Azerbaijan. Babayan stated that his failure to appear would cause harm to their nation, and as an honest person, hard worker, patriot, and Christian, he cannot allow it.
The upcoming mission by the United Nations to Nagorno-Karabakh is expected to shed light on the current situation and assess the urgent humanitarian needs of the residents.