2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-KarabakhOn 19 and 20 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military offensive against the self-declared breakaway state of Artsakh, violating the ceasefire agreement signed in the aftermath of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. The offensive took place in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is de jure a part of Azerbaijan, and was a de facto independent republic.
Republic of ArtsakhBreakaway state in the South Caucasus (1991–2023)Today part ofAzerbaijanArtsakh, officially the Republic of Artsakh or the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, was a breakaway state in the South Caucasus whose territory was internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Between 1991 and 2023, Artsakh controlled parts of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic, including its capital Stepanakert.
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous OblastToday part ofAzerbaijanThe Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was an autonomous oblast within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic that was created on July 7, 1923. Its capital was the city of Stepanakert. The majority of the population were ethnic Armenians. HistoryThe area of Nagorno-Karabakh was disputed between the First Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic during their short-lived independence from 1918 to 1920.
Artsakh UniversityArtsakh State University (Armenian: Արցախի Պետական Համալսարան) was a university in Stepanakert, the oldest and largest university in the self-proclaimedRepublic of Artsakh. Over the course of its 50-year history, Artsakh State University produced over 20,000 graduates in 60 fields of study.
First Nagorno-Karabakh WarBelligerentsNagorno-KarabakhArmeniaArmenian Revolutionary FederationForeign groups:Kuban CossacksOssetian volunteersSlavic mercenariesAzerbaijan (from 1991)Soviet Union (until 1991)Azerbaijan SSRForeign groups:Hezbe WahdatHezb-e-IslamiGrey WolvesChechen volunteersUNA-UNSOSlavic mercenariesTurkish volunteersCommanders and leadersLevon Ter-PetrosyanSerzh SargsyanRobert KocharyanVazgen SargsyanAyaz MutallibovYagub MammadovIsa GambarAbulfaz ElchibeyHeydar AliyevIsgandar HamidovSurat HuseynovGulbuddin HekmatyarStrength 30,000–40,000 (1993–94)42,600 (1993–94) Turkey: 350 officersGrey Wolves: 200Hezbe Wahdat: 1,000–3,000Chechen volunteers: 100–300Casualties and lossesDead: 5,856–6,000Wounded: 20,000Missing: 196Dead: 11,55725,000–30,000 (Western and Russian estimates)Wounded: 20,000 or 50,000Missing: 4,210Civilian deaths:16,000 Azerbaijani civilians4,000 Armenian civilians (including citizens of Armenia)Civilians missing:400 according to Karabakh State Commission749 according to Azerbaijani State CommissionCivilians displaced:724,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas300,000–500,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and NakhchivanThe First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic and territorial conflict that took place from February 1988 to May 1994 in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in southwestern Azerbaijan between the majority ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh backed by Armenia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan with support from Turkey.
AzerbaijanAzerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinentallandlocked country at the boundary of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Turkey (via the exclave of Nakhchivan) and Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south. Baku is the capital and largest city.
Nagorno-KarabakhNagorno-Karabakh ( , nə-GOR-noh kər-ə-BAHK; lit. 'Upper Karabakh') is a region located within the territory of present-day Azerbaijan, covering the southeastern stretch of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Part of the greater region of Karabakh, it spans the area between Lower Karabakh and Syunik. Its terrain mostly consists of mountains and forestland.
ArmeniansArmenians (Armenian: հայեր, romanized: hayer, [hɑˈjɛɾ]) are an ethnic group indigenous to the Armenian highlands of West Asia. Armenians constitute the main demographic group in Armenia and constituted the main population of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh until their subsequent deportation after the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive. There is a large diaspora of around five million people of Armenian ancestry living outside the Republic of Armenia.
Soviet UnionThe Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from its formation in 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. It was the world's third-most populous country, the largest by area, and bordered twelve other countries.
Dissolution of the Soviet Union1988–1991 breakup of the sovereign state862–1240: Ancient Rus'Rurik • Baptism of Rus' • Russkaya Pravda • Council of Liubech • Council of Uvetichi • Mongol conquest1240–1547: Appanage RussiaBlack Death • Battle of Kulikovo • MuscoviteCivil War • Great Stand on the Ugra River • Sudebnik of 14971547–1917: Tsarist RussiaTime of Troubles • Zemsky Sobor • Treaty ofNystad • Petrovian reforms • Patriotic War • Decembrist Revolt • Emancipation reform • Russo-Japanese War • 1905 Revolution • October Manifesto • Second Patriotic War1917–1922: Russian RevolutionFebruary Revolution • Provisional Government • Dvoyevlastiye • July Days • Kornilov affair • Directorate • Constituent Assembly (election) • Bolshevik Coup • Civil War • White Guard • Red Army • Soviet-Polish War • PriamuryeGovt.
KarabakhKarabakh (Azerbaijani: Qarabağ [ɡɑɾɑˈbɑɣ]; Armenian: Ղարաբաղ, romanized: Ġarabaġ [ʁɑɾɑˈbɑʁ]) is a geographic region in southwestern Azerbaijan and eastern Armenia, extending from the highlands of the Lesser Caucasus down to the lowlands between the rivers Kura and Aras.
QarqarçayThe Qarqarçay (Gargarchay), Qarqar, or Karkar (Armenian: Կարկառ) is a river located in Azerbaijan, in the drainage basin of the Kura. Parts of the river flow through Nagorno Karabakh. Its length is 115 kilometres (71 mi), and the area of the basin 1,490 square kilometres (580 sq mi). The river begins on the Karabakh Plateau at an altitude of 2,080 metres (6,820 ft) and is formed by the confluence of the rivers Zarysly and Khalfali.
StepanakertRelated word or term.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.