On September 25, 2023, a powerful blast rocked the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, injuring more than 200 people, according to local officials. The explosion occurred at a fuel depot near the regional capital of Stepanakert, as ethnic Armenians were streaming out of the territory after the Azerbaijani military reclaimed full control of it in a lightning offensive last week.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but Armenian separatist officials have accused Azerbaijan of carrying out an airstrike on the fuel depot. Azerbaijan has denied the allegations, saying that the explosion was an accident.
The blast comes amid a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, with thousands of ethnic Armenians fleeing the region and fearing for their safety. The United Nations has called for both sides to respect a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
Background on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous region that has been disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan for decades. The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it has been under the control of ethnic Armenian separatists since the end of a war in the early 1990s.
In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in a ceasefire agreement that ceded most of the region back to Azerbaijani control. The agreement also included the deployment of Russian peacekeepers to monitor the ceasefire.
Implications of the fuel depot blast
The fuel depot blast is the latest incident in a series of escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The blast has raised fears of a renewed conflict between the two countries, and has also complicated the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The international community has condemned the blast and called on both sides to show restraint and avoid further violence. The United States has also called for an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a complex and long-standing dispute, and there is no easy solution. However, it is important to note that the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh is bearing the brunt of the conflict. The international community must work together to ensure that the safety of civilians is protected and that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is found.
International Reaction
The international community has expressed concern about the blast in Nagorno-Karabakh and the humanitarian crisis in the region. The United States, the European Union, and Russia have all called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
The United States State Department said that it was “deeply concerned” about the blast and the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” in Nagorno-Karabakh. The State Department urged Azerbaijan to allow humanitarian aid to enter the region and to ensure the safety of civilians.
The European Union called on Azerbaijan to “respect the rights of all people in Nagorno-Karabakh, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation.” The EU also called for an “independent and transparent investigation” into the cause of the blast.
Russia also called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that it was “concerned” about the blast and the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Conclusion
The blast at the fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh is a tragedy that has added to the humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community has called for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict, but it is unclear whether either side is willing to compromise.
