Azerbaijan has initiated military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, potentially leading to a new conflict in the volatile area.
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The stated objective of the operation is to restore "constitutional order" and drive out Armenian military formations.
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Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory but is partially controlled by breakaway ethnic Armenian authorities.
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This region has been the focal point of two wars, with the latest conflict occurring in 2020, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
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It remains uncertain whether Azerbaijan's actions will escalate into a full-scale conflict involving neighboring Armenia or remain a limited military operation.
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The situation has already led to political tensions in Armenia, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speaking of coup threats against his government.
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This military engagement could impact the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus, an area with crucial oil and gas pipelines.
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Russia, focused on its conflict in Ukraine, seeks to maintain influence in the region amidst increased interest from Turkey, which supports Azerbaijan.
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Social media footage from Karabakh's capital, Stepanakert (known as Khankendi in Azerbaijan), captures loud and repeated shelling, indicating the intensity of the conflict.
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The Karabakh separatist human rights ombudsman reported civilian casualties and injuries resulting from Azerbaijan's military strikes,
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but we have not independently verified these claims.
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