Context: Russian peacekeepers have commenced their withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh subsequent to Azerbaijan’s recapture of the disputed territory from Armenian separatist control last year.
About Nagorno-Karabakh Region:
- It is a landlocked mountainous region, encircled by Azerbaijan.
- The region is majorly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.
- The region has been subject of territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Nagorno-Karabakh region has been under the self-declared Republic of Artsakh.
- In 2023, Azerbaijan attacked the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The attack resulted in the removal of institutions of Republic of Artsakh. Nagorno-Karabakh was connected to Armenia by a small corridor known as Lachin Corridor.
- More than half the population of Nagorno-Karabakh region has fled to Armenia. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing in the region.