Baku Challenges ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Accusations as Nagorno-Karabakh Residents Persist in Fleeing to Armenia

According to Armenian officials, more than half of the population in the Nagorno-Karabakh region has crossed the border. Azerbaijan has denied claims of “ethnic cleansing” and stated that it has no involvement in the decision of local Armenians to depart. The country maintains that it is determined to reintegrate Armenian residents as equal citizens based on national and international obligations and laws. Armenian officials in Yerevan report that about 65,000 refugees, accounting for more than half of Nagorno-Karabakh’s total population, have entered Armenia since Azerbaijan launched an offensive. The Epoch Times has not independently verified this figure. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing and deportation, but Azerbaijan swiftly condemned these allegations and accused Pashinyan of undermining peace prospects between the two countries. The recent conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by Moscow. Pashinyan has faced criticism from domestic protestors who demand his resignation, but he blames Moscow for not carrying out its peacekeeping responsibilities. The United States appears to share Pashinyan’s assessment and believes Russia has not played a productive role in the region. US officials, including Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development, have visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the humanitarian situation and the need for expanded access for humanitarian groups. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claims that certain officials in Armenia wish to put the country on a pro-Western course, but he emphasizes the importance of Russia’s interests and influence in the South Caucasus region.



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