Information
On Friday, Armenia returned four border villages to Azerbaijan, marking a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two historically rival nations. Armenian border guards have relocated, allowing Azerbaijani border guards to take control of the villages of Baghanis Ayrum, Ashaghi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Ghizilhajili in the Gazakh district. This handover was part of an agreement reached on May 16, which outlined the demarcation of a 12.7-kilometer section of their border. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev confirmed the transition, emphasizing the importance of this move in improving bilateral relations.
The return of these villages is part of broader peace efforts led by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who agreed to this in March, aiming to secure a lasting peace agreement with Azerbaijan. However, Pashinyan’s decision has been met with significant domestic opposition, sparking protests and road blockades by demonstrators demanding a reversal. The two nations have a long history of conflict, having fought wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 1988-1994 and 2020. In September 2023, Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to an exodus of ethnic Armenians and intensifying talks on a comprehensive border agreement.
Source: Reuters, AFP
So what
While it appears likely that Azerbaijan is currently bullying Armenia into giving up land due to their military overmatch, it is possible this transfer could lead to a peace agreement. This situation has shown how reliance on Russia for security in the current age is ineffective when pressed, Russia likely does not have anywhere near the levels of equipment or trained forces to project its force effectively. Of interest will be if other countries, such as Syria, see this as a warning that Russia may not be able to support them as they have in the past.
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