Azerbaijan has set up a border checkpoint on the only road leading into Nagorno-Karabakh, sowing fear among region’s ethnic Armenian population, Politico reports.
In a statement published on Sunday, the 23rd of April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan states that work has begun on strengthening control along the Lachin Corridor, which is the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. According to officials, this is to prevent the rotation of Armenian armed forces personnel illegally stationed on the territory of Azerbaijan, the entry of weapons and ammunition, the entry of terrorists, as well as the illegal export of natural resources.
After the armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, the Lachin Corridor was monitored by Russian peacekeepers – this is part of a ceasefire plan supported by Moscow. In December, self-proclaimed Azerbaijani environmental activists with the support of Baku broke through the fence and began a road blockade. From then on,
only Red Cross peacekeepers and humanitarian aid convoys can enter the region.
Restrictions on the use of food and energy have been introduced in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia has stated that this action is a clear violation of the 2020 ceasefire agreement, in which Baku pledged to ensure the movement of civilians, vehicles and cargo in both directions along the Lachin Corridor. Yerevan also added that the establishment of the border checkpoint also violates the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which requires Azerbaijan to ensure unhindered movement.
Nagorno-Karabakh, located inside the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, has been under Armenian control since the war that followed the collapse of the USSR. However, the creation of a border checkpoint could effectively end the region’s autonomy, which Armenia has suggested could be a precursor to ethnic cleansing. Baku insists it has the right to control the region.