Peace in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is once again at risk as Azerbaijan has blocked the crucial Lachin corridor, the main road connecting Armenia to the breakaway territory. The closure of this vital route threatens to undermine the fragile truce established after the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan announced the suspension of road traffic on July 11, citing allegations of smuggling attempts by the Armenian branch of the Red Cross at the Lachin border post. The Azerbaijani border guards stated that the crossing will remain closed until a criminal investigation into the smuggling claims is completed. However, Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of obstructing access to Nagorno-Karabakh and creating a humanitarian crisis.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh dates back to the late 1980s and has resulted in two wars. The most recent conflict in 2020 led to significant territorial gains for Azerbaijan and the control of the enclave's surrounding territories. Currently, part of Nagorno-Karabakh remains under the control of Armenian separatists, surrounded by Azerbaijan-held territories.
Since the 2020 war, a Russian peacekeeping mission has maintained a delicate balance of peace in the region. However, tensions have escalated in recent months as Armenia accused Azerbaijan of obstructing supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh and causing a humanitarian crisis by blocking the Lachin corridor. Initially, Baku claimed that Azerbaijani environmental activists were protesting against illegal mines, but in April, they announced the installation of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor for "security" reasons.
The closure of the Lachin corridor has had severe consequences. The Armenian branch of the Red Cross reported that medical supplies and seriously ill patients were unable to be transported to and from hospitals in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the blockade. Armenia has criticized the Russian peacekeepers for failing to ensure traffic flow through the corridor, while Russia has been frustrated by Western attempts to negotiate a new peace agreement. The Kremlin has insisted that there is "no alternative" to the ceasefire deal it brokered in 2020.
The closure of the Lachin corridor poses a significant risk to the peace and stability of the region. The humanitarian crisis and the obstruction of crucial supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh raise concerns about the well-being of the local population.
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