Welcome
World
Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh
Almost half of the region’s residents have fled since the enclave came under Azerbaijan’s control.
Published on September 27, 2023 3:48 p.m. Updated on September 27, 2023 4:30 p.m
Reading time: 1 min
Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee by car to Armenia, September 26, 2023. (GRIGORIY PECHORIN / SPUTNIK / SIPA)
Armenian authorities reported the arrival of 50,243 refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave on Wednesday, September 27. Almost half of the population has fled the region just four days after the ceasefire agreement that placed the region under Azerbaijani control. Last week, Azerbaijan’s lightning offensive brought a brutal end to Armenian separatists’ dreams of independence. Azerbaijan on Sunday opened the only road connecting the enclave with Armenia.
On this road, a constant convoy of cars brings more and more refugees across the border. The first stop for most is the town of Goris, which is unrecognizable. Hundreds of cars clog the streets in utter chaos, under the eyes of police officers who are unable to direct them. Many hungry refugees spent the night in their vehicles and emerged with red eyes from fatigue. Many said they had no place to sleep or anywhere to go in Armenia.
Adding to the enclave’s ordeal are more than 100 people missing following the explosion of a fuel depot that was stormed by residents amid a mass exodus. The tragedy left 68 dead and 290 injured. In addition, the former leader of the Nagorno-Karabakh separatist government from November 2022 to February 2023, Ruben Vardanyan, was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities on Wednesday while trying to cross into Armenia.
View comments