Armenia, Russia’s long-time ally in the South Caucasus, announced a joint military exercise with the US amid ongoing tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The “Eagle Partner 2023” exercise, which runs from September 11 to 20, includes operations to stabilize conflicts during the carrying out of blue helmet missions, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reported today, according to the state news agency Armenpress.
The two former Soviet countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, have been fighting for decades over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is located on Azerbaijani territory but is predominantly inhabited by Armenians.
Catastrophic situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
Despite a ceasefire monitored by Russian peacekeepers, clashes continue to occur. Azerbaijanis have also been blocking the Lachin corridor, which is Armenia’s only access to Nagorno-Karabakh, for months.
Observers describe the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh as catastrophic. There is, therefore, a lack of food and medicine. From today onwards, bread is only distributed through purchase vouchers. In this context, the Armenian leadership has also increasingly expressed its dissatisfaction with Russia as a mediator. Yerevan accuses Moscow, which has long been considered the protective power of Armenians in the Caucasus, of insufficient commitment.