Fear of Ethnic Cleansing Prompts Armenian Residents to Flee from Nagorno-Karabakh

The first group of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh has arrived in Armenia following the region's seizure by Azerbaijan. The group entered Armenia after local officials announced plans to relocate those affected by the fighting. With the capture of the area inhabited by around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, Azerbaijan claims it wants to reintegrate them as "equal citizens." However, Armenia has issued warnings about the potential for ethnic cleansing. About 40 people were part of the initial group that left, and Armenia has promised assistance to anyone else who wishes to leave. Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region in the South Caucasus, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians for the past thirty years. Armenia, as well as its ally Russia, has supported the enclave, with Russian troops stationed there. At least 200 ethnic Armenians and five others were killed when Azerbaijan's army seized control earlier this week. Concerns persist for the well-being of Nagorno-Karabakh residents, as only one aid delivery of 70 tonnes of food has been permitted since separatists accepted a ceasefire and agreed to disarm. Ethnic Armenian leaders report that thousands of residents are without food or shelter and have now revealed plans to relocate some of them to Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashanyan expressed in a televised address that without "real living conditions" and protection against ethnic cleansing, many inside the enclave would see expulsion as their only option. He reiterated that his government would warmly welcome those who chose to leave. David Babayan, adviser to Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leader, stated that the majority of people in the region preferred not to live as part of Azerbaijan and would prefer to leave their historic lands. Armenian Prime Minister Pashanyan also implied that Russia had not effectively supported them in the conflict. These comments reflect criticism that Russia had handed Nagorno-Karabakh over to Azerbaijan, which Russia's foreign minister has dismissed as baseless.