Yerevan, September 20, 2023 – Armenian separatist forces in Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh have surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire, effective from 1 pm (0900 GMT) on Wednesday, was confirmed by both sides, and it sets the stage for critical talks on the region’s future and the fate of ethnic Armenians residing there.
Under the terms of the agreement, separatist forces, who have governed the self-declared “Republic of Artsakh,” will disband and disarm. Talks to determine the region’s future and the status of its ethnic Armenian population are scheduled to commence on Thursday.
The surrender of the separatist forces came just 24 hours after Azerbaijan initiated an offensive to regain full control of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku’s military advances and the capture of key strategic locations forced the separatists to accept Azerbaijan’s terms, which were conveyed through Russian peacekeepers.
“The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal from the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire,” stated the separatists in an official announcement.
Azerbaijan has also confirmed the ceasefire deal, signaling a potential end to the violent conflict that has plagued the region for decades.
This development raises questions about the integration of approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians into Azerbaijani society. Some Armenians have expressed concerns about this prospect, while others are contemplating whether to remain in Karabakh or migrate to Armenia.
Armenia, which has denied having military forces in Karabakh despite Azerbaijani claims, refrained from intervening militarily. Armenia accused Baku of attempting to ethnically cleanse Karabakh, an allegation that Azerbaijan vehemently denied.
The military operation launched by Azerbaijan resulted in casualties, with dozens killed and hundreds injured. The United States and certain European countries sharply criticized Azerbaijan’s actions, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They expressed concern that Baku’s military offensive exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Azerbaijan initiated its military operation after citing a series of provocations and claiming that some of its troops had been attacked by separatists from Nagorno-Karabakh. The mountainous region had been under an Azerbaijani blockade for nine months before the offensive.
As the ceasefire takes effect, the international community will be closely watching the upcoming talks to determine the future of Nagorno-Karabakh and its residents.
