2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|Military offensive by Azerbaijan}}

{{Pppp-extended|small=yes}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

<noinclude>{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=Azerbaijan's takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh|2=Talk:2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh#Requested move 1 January 2024}}</noinclude>

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh

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{{leftlegend|#fb9d98|Areas of internationally recognised [[Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis|Armenian territory occupied by Azerbaijan]]}}

{{leftlegend|#e89be2|Areas captured by Azerbaijan during the offensive}}

{{leftlegend|#d1f3f2|Areas of internationally recognised territory of Azerbaijan<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 10, 2020|title=Armenians Rage Against Last-Minute Peace Deal|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/10/armenians-oppose-last-minute-peace-deal-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201111234729/https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/10/armenians-oppose-last-minute-peace-deal-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh/|archive-date=11 November 2020|work=[[Foreign Policy]]|access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/ga10693.doc.htm|title=General Assembly adopts resolution reaffirming territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, demanding withdrawal of all Armenian forces|work=United Nations|date=14 March 2008|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=18 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818000902/http://www.un.org/press/en/2008/ga10693.doc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> in Nagorno-Karabakh proper remainingthat were under the control of Artsakh}}

| date = {{Start and end dates|2023|09|19|2023|09|20|df=y}}<br/> (1 day)

| place = [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]

| territory = During the offensive:

| territory =* Per Azerbaijan, 90 combat positions captured<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3800118.html|title=More than 90 combat positions of Armenian armed forces units come under control of Azerbaijani Army|first=Asif|last=Mehman|agency=[[Trend News Agency]]|date=20 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920153958/https://en.trend.az/news_ajax.php|url-status=live}}</ref> (as of 20 September)

Post-[[2023 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|ceasefire]]:

* Azerbaijan regains control of all of Nagorno-Karabakh

| result = Azerbaijani victory<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/azerbaijan-says-aims-for-peaceful-reintegration-of-karabakh-armenians-27913556|title=Azerbaijan Says Aims For 'Peaceful Reintegration' Of Karabakh Armenians|date=20 September 2023|quote=The offensive was seen as a major victory for Azerbaijan, which won a 2020 war with Armenia and has since sought to repopulate Karabakh.|work=Barron's|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923054620/https://www.barrons.com/news/azerbaijan-says-aims-for-peaceful-reintegration-of-karabakh-armenians-27913556|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[2023 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|Ceasefire agreement]]

* Disbandment of the [[Artsakh Defence Army]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Armenian separatists in Karabakh surrender and agree to ceasefire with Azerbaijan|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-calls-azerbaijan-halt-karabakh-attack-russia-urges-return-ceasefire-2023-09-20/|access-date=20 September 2023|work=Reuters|date=20 September 2023|quote=Under the agreement, confirmed by both sides and effective from 1 pm (0900 GMT) on Wednesday, separatist forces will disband and disarm and talks on the future of the region and the ethnic Armenians who live there will start on Thursday.|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920053049/https://www.reuters.com/world/us-calls-azerbaijan-halt-karabakh-attack-russia-urges-return-ceasefire-2023-09-20/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Dissolution of the [[Republic of Artsakh]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ebel|first1=Francesca|title=Defeated by force, Nagorno-Karabakh government declares it will dissolve|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/28/nagorno-karabakh-dissolved-azerbaijan-armenia/|access-date=28 September 2023|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=28 September 2023}}</ref>

* NearlyStart of the entire [[Flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians|population flees Nagorno-Karabakh]] for Armenia<ref name="HRW1"/>▼

* Start of the [[2023 Armenian protests]]

▲* Nearly the entire [[Flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians|population flees Nagorno-Karabakh]] for Armenia<ref name="HRW1"/>

| status =

| combatant1 = {{flag|Azerbaijan}}{{efn|See [[#Foreign involvement|§ Foreign involvement]] for more details.}}

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}}

Between 19 and 20 September 2023, [[Azerbaijan]] launched a large-scale military offensive against the [[Politicalpolitical status of Nagorno-Karabakh|self-declared]] breakaway state of [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]], a move seen as a violation of the [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|2020 ceasefire agreement]] signed in the aftermath of the [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]] in 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan: Baku Launches Military Operation In Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/armenia-azerbaijan-baku-launches-military-operation-nagorno-karabakh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230919182727/https://worldview.stratfor.com/situation-report/armenia-azerbaijan-baku-launches-military-operation-nagorno-karabakh|archive-date=19 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-22|work=[[Stratfor]]|quote=...the Russian peacekeeping contingent is incapable of preventing Azerbaijan's seizure of the region, despite this being a clear violation of the November 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russia that ended the last war.}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Joint statement on Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/joint-statement-on-azerbaijan-s-attack-o/product-details/20230919DPU37422|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922111407/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/joint-statement-on-azerbaijan-s-attack-o/product-details/20230919DPU37422|archive-date=22 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-21|work=European Parliament|quote=We condemn in the strongest terms today's pre-planned and unjustified attack of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh...We recall that the attack takes place in the context of a major humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor for the past nine months, in violation of Baku's commitments under the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 and of the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice. Humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh needs to be fully and permanently restored.}}</ref> The offensive took place in the disputed region of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but populated by [[Armenians]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=AzerbaijaniThe forcesstated strike Armenian-controlled Karabakh, raising riskgoal of newthe Caucasusoffensive war|work=Reuters|date=19was Septemberthe 2023|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-six-its-citizens-were-killed-by-land-mines-karabakh-2023-09-19/|access-date=19complete September 2023|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919114910/https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-six-its-citizens-were-killed-by-land-mines-karabakh-2023-09-19/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ilyushina|first1=Mary|title=Fighting flares between Azerbaijandisarmament and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/19/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-armenia/|access-date=19 September 2023|newspaper=[[Theunconditional Washington Postsurrender]]|date=19 Septemberof 2023|quote=Azerbaijan and Armenia have repeatedly clashed over Nagorno-KarabakhArtsakh, whichas iswell internationallyas recognizedthe as partwithdrawal of Azerbaijan but largely populated byall ethnic ArmeniansArmenian andsoldiers largelypresent governed byin the unrecognized Republic of Artsakhregion.|archive-date=19<ref September 2023|archive-urlname=https":8" //web.archive.org/web/20230919200531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/19/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-armenia/|url-status=live}}</ref> The attacksoffensive occurred in the midst of an escalating crisis caused by Azerbaijan [[Blockade of the Republic of Artsakh (2022–present)|blockading Artsakh]], which has resulted in significant scarcities of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other goods in the affected region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Roth|first=Andrew|date=19 September 2023|title=Azerbaijan launches 'anti-terrorist' campaign in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/azerbaijan-launches-anti-terrorist-campaign-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh-region|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919111008/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/azerbaijan-launches-anti-terrorist-campaign-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh-region|archive-date=19 September 2023|access-date=19 September 2023|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

One day after the offensive started, on 20 September, a [[2023 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|ceasefire agreement]], described by many as a written agreement for the [[Surrender (military)|surrender]] of Artsakh was reached at the mediation of the [[Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-Karabakh#Russian peacekeeping contingent|Russian peacekeeping contingent]] where it was agreed that the [[Artsakh Defence Army]], the armed forces of Artsakh would be disarmed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Karabakh separatists to disband after surrender to Azerbaijan |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230928-nagorno-karabakh-to-dissolve-ending-independence-dream |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watch |first=Genocide |date=2023-09-21 |title=Genocide Alert: Artsakh surrenders to Azerbaijan |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-alert-azerbaijan-attacks-artsakh |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=genocidewatchGenocide Watch |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Russia says Armenian separatists surrender arms after Azerbaijan reclaims Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-5488386cb18c4333d00721365730cdf9 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> was reached at the mediation of the [[Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-Karabakh|Russian peacekeeping command in Nagorno-Karabakh]] where it was agreed that the [[Artsakh Defence Army]], the armed forces of Artsakh would be disarmed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian-mediated ceasefire announced in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1120051.html|work=Armenpress|access-date=20 September 2023|archiveurl-datestatus=21live September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921131534/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1120051.html |urlarchive-statusdate=live21 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=Armenpress}}</ref> Ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan were nonetheless reported by both Artsakhi residents and officials until early October.<ref name="ceasefirevio1">{{Cite web |title=МВД Нагорного Карабаха обвинило Азербайджан в нарушении договора о прекращении огня |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/21/mvd-nagornogo-karabaha-obvinilo-azerbaydzhan-v-narushenii-dogovora-o-prekraschenii-ognya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921113954/https://meduza.io/news/2023/09/21/mvd-nagornogo-karabaha-obvinilo-azerbaydzhan-v-narushenii-dogovora-o-prekraschenii-ognya |archive-date=21 September 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |work=[[Meduza]]}}</ref><ref name="ceasefirevio2">{{Cite web |date=21 September 2023 |title=Aserbaidschan soll Waffenruhe gebrochen haben |url=https://rp-online.de/politik/ausland/berg-karabach-aserbaidschan-soll-waffenruhe-gebrochen-haben_aid-98086627 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921114231/https://rp-online.de/politik/ausland/berg-karabach-aliyev-entschuldigt-sich-fuer-tod-russischer-soldaten_aid-98086627 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |work=[[Rheinische Post]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> On 28 September, the president of Artsakh, [[Samvel Shahramanyan]], signed a decree to dissolve all state institutions by 1 January 2024, bringing the existence of the breakaway state to an end.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ebel |first=Francesca |date=2023-09-28 |title=For three decades, Nagorno-Karabakh sought statehood. That quest is dead. |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/28/nagorno-karabakh-dissolved-azerbaijan-armenia/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

The offensive and subsequent surrender resulted in a [[flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians]], in which resulted in nearly the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh fleeingfled the region for neighboring countries, such asprimarily [[Armenia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Guarantee Right to Return to Nagorno Karabakh {{!}} |work=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/05/guarantee-right-return-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=2023-12-18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Service |first=RFE/RL's Armenian |title=Armenian Exodus From Nagorno-Karabakh Tops 100,000; UN Readies For Visit |language=en |work=RadioFreeEuropeRadio Free Europe/RadioLibertyRadio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/karabakh-armenian-exodis-100000-un-visit-azerbaijan/32616962.html |access-date=2023-12-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=More than 80% of Nagorno-Karabakh's population flees as future uncertain for those who remain |url=https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/more-70-nagorno-karabakhs-population-122820843.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-CA}}</ref> Human rights organizations and experts in genocide prevention issued multiple alerts{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="fidh.org">{{Cite web|title=Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh raises the risk of genocide against ethnic Armenians in the region|url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/europe-central-asia/armenia/azerbaijan-s-attack-on-nagorno-karabakh-raises-the-risk-of-genocide|access-date=2023-09-22|work=International Federation for Human Rights|quote="'We have to prevent a mass expulsion of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,' remarks Oleksandra Matviichuk, FIDH's Vice-President, 'and we fear that the worst is yet to come for civilians who are left at the mercy of the advancing hostile forces unless the international community intervenes.' The international community must intervene to prevent genocide."|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055217/https://www.fidh.org/en/region/europe-central-asia/armenia/azerbaijan-s-attack-on-nagorno-karabakh-raises-the-risk-of-genocide|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation|title=Genocide Warning: Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh|date=23 September 2022|url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-warning-azerbaijan-and-nagorno-karabakh-september-2022|work=Genocide Watch|access-date=3 January 2023|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227225603/https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-warning-azerbaijan-and-nagorno-karabakh-september-2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|title=Red Flag Alert for Genocide – Azerbaijan Update 4|url=https://www.lemkininstitute.com/red-flag-alerts-1/red-flag-alert-for-genocide---azerbaijan-update-4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227225601/https://www.lemkininstitute.com/red-flag-alerts-1/red-flag-alert-for-genocide---azerbaijan-update-4|archive-date=27 February 2023|access-date=2022-12-22|work=Lemkin Institute}}</ref><ref name=":91">{{Cite web|last=Chidiac|first=Gerry|date=2023-02-09|title=World stands by in the face of the Second Armenian Genocide|url=https://troymedia.com/crime/world-stands-by-in-the-face-of-the-second-armenian-genocide/|access-date=2023-02-13|work=Troy Media|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043343/https://troymedia.com/crime/world-stands-by-in-the-face-of-the-second-armenian-genocide/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite web|last=Rhodes|first=January|date=2023-01-31|title=Museum Statement: Artsakh Crisis|url=https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/museum-statement-artsakh/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504043106/https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/museum-statement-artsakh/|archive-date=4 May 2023|access-date=2023-05-04|work=Illinois Holocaust Museum}}</ref><ref name=":93">{{Cite web|last=Gregorian|first=Alin K.|date=2022-12-20|title=Difficult Road Ahead for Karabakh and Armenia|url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2022/12/20/difficult-road-ahead-for-karabakh-and-armenia-2/|access-date=2023-04-01|work=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator|archive-date=2 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302181402/https://mirrorspectator.com/2022/12/20/difficult-road-ahead-for-karabakh-and-armenia-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":94">{{Cite web|date=2023-04-28|title=Azerbaijani activists end Nagorno-Karabakh sit-in as Baku tightens grip on region|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-armenia-activists-end-nagorno-karabakh-demonstration/|access-date=2023-05-04|work=Politico|quote=France's foreign minister has joined international observers in warning of the risk of 'ethnic cleansing' in the breakaway region.|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920124843/https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-armenia-activists-end-nagorno-karabakh-demonstration/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="www.foreign.senate.gov">{{Cite web|title=Against Backdrop of Baku's Ongoing Blockade of Lachin Corridor, Menendez Blasts Commerce Plans to Permit Export of Lethal Weapons to Azerbaijan |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/against-backdrop-of-bakus-ongoing-blockade-of-lachin-corridormenendez-blasts-commerce-plans-to-permit-export-of-lethal-weapons-to-azerbaijan|access-date=2023-05-07|work=www.foreign.senate.gov|date=2 February 2023|quote="Today, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh face an acute humanitarian crisis, threats of ethnic cleansing, and chronic shortages of water, energy, healthcare, and food."|archive-date=24 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824210345/https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/against-backdrop-of-bakus-ongoing-blockade-of-lachin-corridormenendez-blasts-commerce-plans-to-permit-export-of-lethal-weapons-to-azerbaijan|url-status=live}}</ref>

}} that the region's Armenian population was at risk or actively being subjected to ethnic cleansing and genocide,<ref name=":0222" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title=Live updates {{!}}: Stepanakert under fire as Azerbaijan launches assault on Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://oc-media.org/live-updates-stepanakert-under-fire-as-war-breaks-out-in-nagorno-karabakh/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919111339/https://oc-media.org/live-updates-stepanakert-under-fire-as-war-breaks-out-in-nagorno-karabakh/|archive-date=19 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-19|website=OC Media|quote=Political analyst and peace activist Bahruz Samadov said the goal was the ethnic cleansing of the region's Armenian population...}}</ref> as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Deutsch|first1=Anthony|last2=van den Berg|first2=Stephanie|date=29 September 2023|work=Reuters|title=Nagorno-Karabakh exodus amounts to a war crime, legal experts say|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nagorno-karabakh-exodus-amounts-war-crime-legal-experts-say-2023-09-29/|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930050207/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nagorno-karabakh-exodus-amounts-war-crime-legal-experts-say-2023-09-29/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Luis Moreno Ocampo]], the inaugural prosecutor of the [[International Criminal Court]], has classified the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians as a second [[Armenian genocide]], and opined that the inaction of the international community encouraged Azerbaijan to act with impunity.<ref name="washingtonpost-genocide">{{cite news |last=Moreno Ocampo |first=Luis |author-link=Luis Moreno Ocampo |date=22 September 2023 |title=Call what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh by its proper name |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/22/nagorno-karabakh-genocide-armenia/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922173112/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/22/nagorno-karabakh-genocide-armenia/ |archive-date=22 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="LMO-december2023">{{cite web |url=https://luismorenoocampo.com/lmo_en/report-genocides-december-2023/ |title="Current genocides and the consistent international practice to deny them." |last=Moreno Ocampo |first=Luis |date=December 2023 |website=Official website of Luis Moreno Ocampo |access-date=20 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220054017/https://luismorenoocampo.com/lmo_en/report-genocides-december-2023/ |archive-date=20 December 2023}}</ref>

== Background ==

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=== 19 September ===

[[File:Azerbaijani soldiers fighting in Karabakh in trenches, 2023 (1).jpg|thumb|Azerbaijani soldiers in trenches]]

On 19 September 2023, in violation of the [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|2020 ceasefire]],<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":4"/> [[Azerbaijan]] launched a large-scale offensive against [[Republic of Artsakh]]. The [[Ministry of Defence (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense]] claimed to be undertaking "local anti-terrorist activities" and cited [[land mines]] allegedly planted by Armenians killing two Azerbaijani civilians and four police officers as a pretext for the offensive.<ref name="eurasianet">{{cite news|date=19 September 2023|title=Azerbaijan launches massive offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh|work=[[Eurasianet]]|url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-launches-massive-offensive-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920114738/https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-launches-massive-offensive-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Alarabiyah3">{{cite web|date=19 September 2023|title=Six killed in Karabakh mine blasts, Azerbaijan says|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/19/Six-killed-in-Karabakh-mine-blasts-Azerbaijan-says|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071148/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/19/Six-killed-in-Karabakh-mine-blasts-Azerbaijan-says|archive-date=20 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref> The ministry demanded the disarmament and withdrawal of all ethnic [[Armenians|Armenian]] soldiers, as well as the [[unconditional surrender]] and dissolution of the Republic of Artsakh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan demands enclave's surrender|url=https://www.dw.com/en/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-begins-military-operation/live-66862912|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919113729/https://www.dw.com/en/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-begins-military-operation/live-66862912|archive-date=19 September 2023|access-date=19 September 2023|work=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref> The statement from the ministry claimed that the [[Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-Karabakh|Russian peacekeeping]] contingent and [[the joint Russian-Turkish Monitoring Centre]] were informed about the operation.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Statement by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/statement-by-azerbaijan-s-ministry-of-defense-49350.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919094513/https://mod.gov.az/en/news/statement-by-azerbaijan-s-ministry-of-defense-49350.html|archive-date=2023-09-19|access-date=2023-09-19|work=MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN}}</ref> Russia denied this claim, stating that its peacekeepers were only informed of the offensive a "few minutes" before it started.<ref name="apkarabakh22">{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title=Azerbaijan opens fire on Armenian positions in Nagorno-Karabakh, and 2 people are reported killed|url=https://apnews.com/article/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-mines-deaths-477fd82368be90f88163e50a5fcb6353|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919125506/https://apnews.com/article/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-mines-deaths-477fd82368be90f88163e50a5fcb6353|archive-date=19 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-19|work=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref>

Azerbaijan claimed that no civilian targets were attacked with weaponry, but witnesses reported strikes conducted in close proximity to large cities and densely populated areas.<ref name=":0"/> The attacks occurred in the midst of Azerbaijan's ongoing blockade of the region.<ref name=":0"/> Azerbaijan said that it had set up "[[humanitarian corridors]] and reception points on the [[Lachin corridor|Lachin road]] and in other directions" which would "ensure the evacuation of the population from the dangerous area".<ref name=":0222">{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title=Azerbaijan launches attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, announces 'evacuation' of Armenian population|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-launch-anti-terror-operation-nagorno-karabakh-armenia/|access-date=2023-09-19|work=Politico|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919100027/https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-launch-anti-terror-operation-nagorno-karabakh-armenia/|url-status=live}}</ref> These announcements were disseminated through text messages, leaflets, and social media, triggering fears of [[ethnic cleansing]] amongst the residents.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title=Azerbaijan launches attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, announces 'evacuation' of Armenian population|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-launch-anti-terror-operation-nagorno-karabakh-armenia/|access-date=2023-09-19|work=Politico|quote=Siranush Sargsyan, a local Karabakh Armenian journalist, told POLITICO that neither she nor any of her family had received SMS messages warning of the attack and said it was impossible to trust Azerbaijan's "humanitarian corridor" offer to leave. "How can I trust them? They will kill me, definitely," she added.|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919100027/https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-launch-anti-terror-operation-nagorno-karabakh-armenia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Artsakhi authorities warned its residents that "the Azerbaijani propaganda machine uses large-scale information and psychological influence measures."<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2023-09-19|title= Stepanakert under fire as Azerbaijan launches assault on Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://oc-media.org/live-updates-stepanakert-under-fire-as-war-breaks-out-in-nagorno-karabakh/|access-date=2023-09-19|work=OC Media|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919111339/https://oc-media.org/live-updates-stepanakert-under-fire-as-war-breaks-out-in-nagorno-karabakh/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Anna|date=2023-09-01|title=News Watch Artsakh: September 2023|url=https://evnreport.com/new-updates/news-watch-artsakh-september-2023/|access-date=2023-09-19|work=EVN Report|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071133/https://evnreport.com/new-updates/news-watch-artsakh-september-2023/|url-status=live}}</ref> The {{ill|Cyber Security Service (Azerbaijan)|lt=Cyber Security Service of Azerbaijan|az|Elektron Təhlükəsizlik Xidməti (Azərbaycan)}} temporarily [[Censorship of TikTok|restricted access]] to [[TikTok]] in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|title=19 sentyabr tarixindən Azərbaycan ərazisində "TikTok" sosial şəbəkəsinin fəaliyyətinə müvəqqəti məhdudiyyət tətbiq edilmişdir|url=https://cert.az/news/2023/19-sentyabr-2023-cu-il-tarixinden-azerbaycan-erazisinde-tiktok-sosial-sebekesinin-fealiyyetine-muveqqeti-mehdudiyyet-tetbiq-edilmisdir|work=Cyber Security Service|access-date=20 September 2023|language=az|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920132920/https://cert.az/news/2023/19-sentyabr-2023-cu-il-tarixinden-azerbaycan-erazisinde-tiktok-sosial-sebekesinin-fealiyyetine-muveqqeti-mehdudiyyet-tetbiq-edilmisdir|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Azərbaycanda "TikTok"un fəaliyyəti məhdudlaşdırılıb – ETX məlumat yaydı|url=https://1news.az/az/news/20230919041141132-Azerbaycanda-TikTok-un-fealiyyeti-mehdudlashdirilib-ETX-melumat-yaydi|access-date=20 September 2023|work=1news.az|language=az|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920133425/https://1news.az/az/news/20230919041141132-Azerbaycanda-TikTok-un-fealiyyeti-mehdudlashdirilib-ETX-melumat-yaydi|url-status=live}}</ref>

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On 21 September, negotiations between representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan took place in [[Yevlakh]] to discuss security, rights and "issues of re-integration".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66863702|title=Azerbaijan halts Karabakh offensive after ceasefire deal with Armenian separatists|work=BBC News|date=20 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920104937/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66863702|url-status=live}}</ref> The Artsakhi delegation consisted of Sergey Martirosyan and {{ill|Davit Melkumyan|hy|Դավիթ Մելքումյան}}, and was escorted by [[Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-Karabakh|Russian peacekeepers]]. The Azerbaijani delegation consisted of [[Ramin Mammadov]], Bashir Hajiyev and Ilkin Sultanov.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apa.az/az/daxili-siyaset/yevlaxda-qarabagin-ermeni-sakinlerinin-numayendeleri-ile-gorus-basa-catib-foto-video-yenilenib-1-786818|title=Qarabağın erməni sakinlərinin nümayəndələri Ağdamdan keçərək Xankəndiyə qayıdıb – FOTO – VİDEO-2 – YENİLƏNİB-2|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921095804/https://apa.az/az/daxili-siyaset/yevlaxda-qarabagin-ermeni-sakinlerinin-numayendeleri-ile-gorus-basa-catib-foto-video-yenilenib-1-786818|url-status=live}}</ref> The head of the [[Joint Russian-Turkish Monitoring Center]], Oleg Semyonov, was also present.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/karabakh-azerbaijan-offensive-un-calls-halt/32600704.html|title=Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh Sides to Meet Again Soon After Inconclusive 'Integration' Talks|work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920184744/https://www.rferl.org/a/karabakh-azerbaijan-offensive-un-calls-halt/32600704.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/talks-begin-between-azerbaijan-and-breakaway-armenian-republic-nagorno-karabakh|title=Talks held between Azerbaijan and breakaway Armenian republic|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=21 September 2023|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921091031/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/talks-begin-between-azerbaijan-and-breakaway-armenian-republic-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew}}</ref> The talks, which lasted two hours, ended without a formal agreement, however a statement from the Azerbaijani government said the they were "constructive and positive" and that further negotiations would continue in October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-ethnic-armenian-delegation-arrives-nagorno-karabakh-talks-2023-09-21/|title=Karabakh Armenians seek promises before giving up weapons to Azerbaijan|work=[[Reuters]]|date=21 September 2023|last1=Light|first1=Felix|last2=Faulconbridge|first2=Guy|last3=Faulconbridge|first3=Guy|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921112659/https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-ethnic-armenian-delegation-arrives-nagorno-karabakh-talks-2023-09-21/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://azertag.az/xeber/azerbaycan_respublikasi_prezidentinin_administrasiyasinin_achiqlamasi_video-2757289|title=Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin Administrasiyasının açıqlaması VİDEO – AZƏRTAC|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921224816/https://azertag.az/xeber/azerbaycan_respublikasi_prezidentinin_administrasiyasinin_achiqlamasi_video-2757289|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Artsakhi delegation, the negotiations stalled due to a "whole host of questions", but specifically when they requested security guarantees that the Azerbaijani government would not force ethnic Armenians to [[Ethnic cleansing|leave]] the [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] region, however, both sides agreed on the cessation of military action.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Faulconbridge|first1=Guy|title=Karabakh Armenians say details of deal with Azerbaijan still need to be worked out|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/karabakh-armenians-say-details-deal-with-azerbaijan-still-need-be-worked-out-2023-09-21/|work=[[Reuters]]|date=21 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922060204/https://www.reuters.com/world/karabakh-armenians-say-details-deal-with-azerbaijan-still-need-be-worked-out-2023-09-21/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Light|first1=Felix|last2=Faulconbridge|first2=Guy|title=Karabakh Armenians seek promises before giving up weapons to Azerbaijan|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-ethnic-armenian-delegation-arrives-nagorno-karabakh-talks-2023-09-21/|work=[[Reuters]]|date=21 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921112659/https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-says-ethnic-armenian-delegation-arrives-nagorno-karabakh-talks-2023-09-21/|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan agreed to send food and fuel supplies to the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/21/peace-talks-over-nagorno-karabakh-as-ethnic-armenians-flee-the-violence|title=Peace talks over Nagorno-Karabakh as ethnic Armenians flee|date=21 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921214436/https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/21/peace-talks-over-nagorno-karabakh-as-ethnic-armenians-flee-the-violence|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 22 September, [[Hikmet Hajiyev]], foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijani president [[Ilham Aliyev]], stated that his government would ensure that civilians can travel safely in their own vehicles on roads that connect [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] to [[Armenia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/22/Azerbaijan-says-civilians-can-safely-leave-Nagorno-Karabakh|title=Azerbaijan says civilians can safely leave Nagorno-Karabakh|date=22 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922111406/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/22/Azerbaijan-says-civilians-can-safely-leave-Nagorno-Karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref> He also suggested that an [[amnesty]] would be offered to former combatants who agree to disarm. Some ethnic [[Armenians|Armenian]] armed groups vowed to continue fighting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-760118|title=Azerbaijan envisages amnesty for Karabakh fighters|date=22 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922124234/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-760118|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-envisages-amnesty-karabakh-fighters-who-bid-farewell-arms-2023-09-22/|title=Karabakh Armenians say no deal yet with Azerbaijan on guarantees or amnesty|work=[[Reuters]]|date=22 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922100647/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-envisages-amnesty-karabakh-fighters-who-bid-farewell-arms-2023-09-22/|url-status=live|last1=Light|first1=Felix|last2=Faulconbridge|first2=Guy|last3=Faulconbridge|first3=Guy}}</ref> Rumors spread on some Internet news publications that these included former colonel [[Karen Jalavyan]] and his subordinates. A journalist from ''Hraparak'' contacted Jalavyan and asked him if the rumors were true, but he did not answer the question directly. Noticeably upset, he stated that "the entire nation has washed its hands from the people of Karabakh" and told Pashinyan to "go defend Artsakh".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2023/09/22/ջալավյան/2155746|title=Գնացեք Նիկոլին ասեք' գնա Ղարաբաղը պաշտպանի, ոնց ծախել են, այնպես էլ թող պաշտպանեն. Կարեն Ջալավյան|newspaper=Aysor|date=22 September 2023|language=hy|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923135143/https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2023/09/22/ջալավյան/2155746|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://modern.az/aktual/432010/ermeni-komandir-get-nikola-de-ki-qarabaghi-nece-satibsa-ele-de-qorusun/|title=Erməni komandir: "Gedin Nikola deyin ki, Qarabağı necə satıbsa, elə də qorusun"|newspaperwork=Modern.az|date=22 September 2023|language=az|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922053153/https://modern.az/aktual/432010/ermeni-komandir-get-nikola-de-ki-qarabaghi-nece-satibsa-ele-de-qorusun/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The second day of negotiations also ended in deadlock despite the amnesty offer to Artsakhi commanders and fighters as the Artsakhi delegation stated the questions of humanitarian aid, security guarantees, and a promise from the Azerbaijani delegation to not drive Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh were unresolved.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Light|first1=Felix|last2=Faulconbridge|first2=Guy|title=Karabakh Armenians say no deal yet with Azerbaijan on security guarantees|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-envisages-amnesty-karabakh-fighters-who-bid-farewell-arms-2023-09-22/|work=[[Reuters]]|date=22 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922100647/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/azerbaijan-envisages-amnesty-karabakh-fighters-who-bid-farewell-arms-2023-09-22/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Armenian journalist [[Tatul Hakobyan]], a meeting between the head of [[State Security Service (Azerbaijan)|State Security Service of Azerbaijan]], [[Ali Naghiyev]], and Artsakh's president [[Samvel Shahramanyan]] took place in Shusha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2023/9/free/politics_news/en/8996.htm|title=Head of Azerbaijan's State Security Service meets with separatist leader in Shusha|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923135114/https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2023/9/free/politics_news/en/8996.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

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Azerbaijani media reported on 29 September that a third meeting between representatives of the Karabakh Armenian community and officials from the government of Azerbaijan took place in [[Yevlakh]].<ref>https://azertag.az/en/xeber/another_meeting_with_representatives_of_armenian_residents_living_in_karabakh_region_wraps_up_in_yevlakh_video-2768461?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter</ref> Azerbaijani police vehicles were seen in Stepanakert<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-police-takes-up-serving-in-khankendi-video|title=Azerbaijani police takes up serving in Khankendi (VIDEO)|date=29 September 2023|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930010245/https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-police-takes-up-serving-in-khankendi-video|url-status=live}}</ref> and officials placed the [[flag of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani flag]] on the city's ''[[We Are Our Mountains]]'' monument.<ref>https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/3804905.html{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesslend.com/news/presidential-representative-in-karabakh-shares-image-from-azerbaijans-khankendi/|title=Presidential consultant in Karabakh shares picture from Azerbaijan's Khankendi|date=29 September 2023|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930010259/https://www.businesslend.com/sports/lisandro-martinez-could-be-out-for-two-months-in-latest-man-utd-injury-blow/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A fourth round of talks was held in Stepanakert on 2 October, during which Azerbaijani authorities outlined their plans for the "reintegration" of the region.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-karabakh-armenians-talks/32619738.html |title=Azerbaijan's Aliyev Hopes Meeting Will Give Impetus to Peace Process for NagonoNagorno-Karabakh |newspaperwork=RadiofreeeuropeRadio Free Europe/RadiolibertyRadio Liberty |access-date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003072725/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-karabakh-armenians-talks/32619738.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>https://azertag.az/en/xeber/statement_by_the_presidential_administration_of_the_republic_of_azerbaijan-2771617</ref>

On 3 October, Azerbaijani officials were reported to have reissued a 2021 map of Stepanakert renaming one of its streets after [[Enver Pasha]], one of the main perpetrators of the [[Armenian genocide]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vincent |first1=Faustine |title=Azerbaijan reissues Nagorno-Karabakh map with street named after Turkish leader of 1915 Armenian genocide |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/04/azerbaijan-reissues-map-of-nagorno-karabakh-with-street-named-after-turkish-leader-of-1915-armenian-genocide_6146889_4.html |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=Le Monde.fr |date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004235346/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/04/azerbaijan-reissues-map-of-nagorno-karabakh-with-street-named-after-turkish-leader-of-1915-armenian-genocide_6146889_4.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zaman |first1=Amberin |title=Azerbaijan eyes Iran, Armenia borderlands after 'voluntary' exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/azerbaijan-eyes-iran-armenia-borderlands-after-voluntary-exodus-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=www.al-monitor.com |date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005012645/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/azerbaijan-eyes-iran-armenia-borderlands-after-voluntary-exodus-nagorno-karabakh |url-status=live}}</ref>{{disputed inline|talk=Talk:Flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians#Enver Pasha Street|date=October 2023}} However, when approached for comment, the State Service on Property Issues of the [[Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan]] and the [[State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture (Azerbaijan)|State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture]] of Azerbaijan stated they were unaware of any street renaming initiated by Azerbaijani authorities in Stepanakert.<ref>{{cite news |title=Госведомства об улицах Шевченко и Энвер-паши |url=https://haqqin.az/news/296418 |author=Ulviyya Khudiyeva |work=Haqqin.az |date=5 October 2023 |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>

On 15 October, President Ilham Aliyev visited Stepanakert and raised the [[Azerbaijani flag]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan's president raises the nation's flag in a former breakaway region's capital |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-president-ilham-aliyev-flag-nagorno-karabakh-e65d9f48e2e4ec0382985d955ce8086f |access-date=17 October 2023 |work=Associated Press |date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016015154/https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-president-ilham-aliyev-flag-nagorno-karabakh-e65d9f48e2e4ec0382985d955ce8086f |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Ilham Aliyev raised National Flag of Azerbaijan in Khojaly city.jpg|thumb|Ilham Aliyev raising the Flag of Azerbaijan in [[Khojaly, Azerbaijan|Khojaly]], a town previously controlled by Artsakh until the offensive]]

===Ceasefire violations===

The Artsakh Ministry of Internal Affairs stated on 21 September that the Azerbaijani military violated the ceasefire and continued to shell Stepanakert "with different types of small arms".<ref name="ceasefirevio1"/> ''[[Rheinische Post]]'' reported ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani forces and gunfire in Stepanakert, according to residents.<ref name="ceasefirevio2"/> It was reported that electricity in Artsakh cannot be supplied because a number of substations that feed the electrical grid were under Azerbaijani control, with "Artsakhenergo" CJSC carrying out restoration works in Stepanakert.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A number of substations feeding the electrical system are under Azerbaijani control. for now it is not possible to supply electricity. Artsakh Energo|url=https://www.aravot.am/2023/09/21/1370769/|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921100716/https://www.aravot.am/2023/09/21/1370769/|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia recorded two instances of ceasefire violations in [[Shusha District]] and three other instances in [[Mardakert District (NKAO)|Mardakert District]].<ref>{{Cite web|work=al-Arabiya|title=Russia says recorded five ceasefire violations in Karabakh|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/21/Russia-says-recorded-five-ceasefire-violations-in-Karabakh|date=21 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922060204/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/09/21/Russia-says-recorded-five-ceasefire-violations-in-Karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{ill|Artak Beglaryan|hy|Արտակ Բեգլարյան}}, former Artsakhi Minister of State, reported that [[Karkijahan]], a suburb of Stepanakert, was "empty" following a ceasefire violation. Many residents took refuge in Stepanakert itself.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1120330/|title=Ամբողջ Կրկժանը դատարկ է անվտանգության բարձր ռիսկերի պատճառով․ Արտակ Բեգլարյան|work=Armenpress|date=23 September 2023|language=hy}}</ref> He stated that Azerbaijani troops entered several houses in the neighborhood.<ref name="beglaryan">{{cite news|url=https://news.am/arm/news/782833.html|title=Կրկժանի վերեւի հատվածում ադրբեջանցիներ են մտել, բայց դա չի նշանակում, որ անվտանգային առումով խնդիր կա. Բեգլարյան|newspaperwork=News.am|date=23 September 2023|language=hy|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924012243/https://news.am/arm/news/782833.html|url-status=live}}</ref> To avoid further tensions, Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the outskirts of Stepanakert, including in Karkijahan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32605984.html|title=Ստեփանակերտի մատույցներում խաղաղապահներ են տեղակայվել. Արցախից հերքում են քաղաք ադրբեջանական զորքի մտնելու լուրը|work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Azatutyun Rradiokayan]]|date=23 September 2023|language=hy|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924012244/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32605984.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Artsakhi armed forces were also deployed to the area.<ref name="beglaryan"/>

On 22 September, [[Government of Artsakh|Artsakhi government]] spokesperson Armine Hayrapetyan told [[Agence-France Presse]] that Azerbaijani forces had positioned themselves around Stepanakert, prompting residents to hide in basements for fear of killings. She also added that since the Azerbaijani offensive, Stepanakert and other parts of Nagorno-Karabakh have lost most basic services such as electricity, gas, food, fuel, internet and telephone connections.<ref name=":2"/>

Line 177 ⟶ 183:

On 5 October, Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of firing at military targets on each other's territory.<ref name=":39">{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231005-armenia-azerbaijan-accuse-each-other-other-of-cross-border-firing |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other other of cross-border firing |date=5 October 2023 |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=France 24 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005234344/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231005-armenia-azerbaijan-accuse-each-other-other-of-cross-border-firing |url-status=live}}</ref>

===ReliefHumanitarian effortsaid===

On 22 September, Azerbaijan said it had sent two 20-tonne trucks with food and hygiene products and well as two trucks with bread to Nagorno-Karabakh from [[Aghdam]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/22/azerbaijan-troops-all-around-nagorno-karabakh-separatist-stronghold|title=Azerbaijan troops 'all around' Nagorno-Karabakh separatist stronghold|date=22 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|work=Al Jazeera|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922124157/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/22/azerbaijan-troops-all-around-nagorno-karabakh-separatist-stronghold|url-status=live}}</ref>

Line 183 ⟶ 189:

On 28 September, [[USAID]] sent a Disaster Assistance Response Team to the region to help coordinate the U.S. humanitarian response.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Psaledakis|first1=Daphne|title=US to announce disaster response team for South Caucasus amid Karabakh crisis|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-announce-disaster-response-team-south-caucasus-amid-karabakh-crisis-2023-09-28/|access-date=28 September 2023|work=Reuters|date=28 September 2023|archive-date=29 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929013939/https://www.reuters.com/world/us-announce-disaster-response-team-south-caucasus-amid-karabakh-crisis-2023-09-28/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other countries and international organizations that have provided humanitarian assistance to civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh and to ethnic Armenians that have fled the region include Argentina,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Argentina sends humanitarian aid to Armenia for forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1122543.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Penny |date=17 October 2023 |title=Support for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians |url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/support-nagorno-karabakh-armenians |website=Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Canada provides humanitarian assistance funding in response to Nagorno-Karabakh crisis |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/09/canada-provides-humanitarian-assistance-funding-in-response-to-nagorno-karabakh-crisis.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> the Czech Republic,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Czech Republic to provide over €200,000 for Armenians displaced from Nagorno Karabakh |url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/10/03/czech-republic-to-provide/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Public Radio of Armenia |language=en-US}}</ref> Denmark,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denmark allocates funds for humanitarian aid to forcibly displaced population of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1120891.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> the European Union,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid - European Commission |url=https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/nagorno-karabakh-eu-provides-eu5-million-humanitarian-aid-2023-09-26_en |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> France,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Nagorno-Karabakh – France mobilizes additional assistance (27.09.23) |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/azerbaijan/news/article/nagorno-karabakh-france-mobilizes-additional-assistance-27-09-23 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> Greece,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greece sends humanitarian aid to Armenia for forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1123367.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> Hungary,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-04 |title=Hungary Supports Armenian Red Cross with 40 Million HUF through Hungary Helps Programme |url=https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/hungary_helps_progamme_armenia_support_humanitarian_assistance_red_cross_interchurch_aid/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Hungarian Conservative |language=en-US}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emergency Grant Aid for the displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://www.japan.go.jp/publications/news/2023-10-06_21.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=JapanGov - The Government of Japan |language=ja-JP}}</ref> Iran,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran delivers 50 tons of humanitarian aid for displaced people of Nagorno Karabakh |url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/10/03/iran-delivers-50-tons-of-humanitarian-aid-for-displaced-people-of-nagorno-karabakh/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Public Radio of Armenia |language=en-US}}</ref> Italy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Italy allocates €4 million to ICRC for Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian response |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121061.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> Norway,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Norway to provide support to civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh - Azerbaijan |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/azerbaijan/norway-provide-support-civilians-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en}}</ref> Poland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poland sends humanitarian aid for forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121231/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> Spain,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spain to send humanitarian aid for the people of Nagorno Karabakh |url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/09/27/spain-to-send-humanitarian-aid-for-the-people-of-nagorno-karabakh/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Public Radio of Armenia |language=en-US}}</ref> Sweden,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Swedish support to people affected by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.government.se/articles/2023/10/swedish-support-to-people-affected-by-the-conflict-in-nagorno-karabakh/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Regeringskansliet |language=en}}</ref> Switzerland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Switzerland steps up its support for people in need |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/fdfa/aktuell/newsuebersicht/2023/10/bergkarabach-unterstuetzung.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.eda.admin.ch |language=en}}</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK funding for humanitarian response to events in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-funding-for-humanitarian-response-to-events-in-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> [[Cyprus]] offered to shelter some of the displaced Armenians who have fled the region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kambas |first=Michele |date=30 September 2023 |title=Cyprus considers sheltering some Armenian refugees if needed |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/cyprus-considers-sheltering-some-armenian-refugees-if-needed-2023-09-29/ }}</ref>

===Diplomatic efforts===

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The United Nations in Azerbaijan, led by the UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva, sent a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to address humanitarian needs on 1 October. While visiting Stepanakert, the team claimed to have found no evidence of damage to public infrastructure in the areas it visited. The mission saw that the Azerbaijani government was preparing for the resumption of health services and some utilities.<ref name="UN team completes mission to Karabakh">{{cite web |date=2 October 2023 |title=UN team completes mission to Karabakh |url=https://azerbaijan.un.org/en/248051-un-team-completes-mission-karabakh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002165824/https://azerbaijan.un.org/en/248051-un-team-completes-mission-karabakh |archive-date=2 October 2023 |access-date=3 October 2023 |publisher=United Nations in Azerbaijan}}</ref> The mission reportedly "was struck by the sudden manner in which the local population left their homes". It was reported to the team that between 50 and 1,000 ethnic Armenians remain in the region. It encountered no civilian vehicles on the Lachin road to the border crossing used by the refugees. The mission also had limited access to rural areas.<ref name="UN team completes mission to Karabakh" /><ref>{{cite news |title=UN Karabakh mission told 'sudden' exodus means as few as 50 ethnic Armenians may remain |publisher=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1141782 |url-status=live |access-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003043632/https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1141782 |archive-date=3 October 2023}}</ref> The mission was criticized for failing to mention the numerous casualties and injuries among Armenian civilians, the targeting of civilian infrastructure by Azerbaijan, and [[blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh]] by Azerbaijan over the previous nine months along with the humanitarian crisis it caused.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=2 October 2023 |title='It's a ghost town': UN arrives in Nagorno-Karabakh to find ethnic Armenians have fled |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/02/nagorno-karabakh-ghost-town-un-ethnic-armenians-azerbaijan |url-status=live |access-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002211319/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/02/nagorno-karabakh-ghost-town-un-ethnic-armenians-azerbaijan |archive-date=2 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barseghyan |first1=Arshaluys |last2=Aghayev |first2=Ismi |date=2 October 2023 |title=UN mission arrives to empty streets in Nagorno-Karabakh |work=[[OC Media]] |url=https://oc-media.org/un-mission-arrives-to-empty-streets-in-nagorno-karabakh/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003064008/https://oc-media.org/un-mission-arrives-to-empty-streets-in-nagorno-karabakh/ |archive-date=3 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 October 2023 |title=Armenia Slams U.N. Karabakh Mission Findings as "Extremely Biased" |work=[[Hetq]] |url=https://hetq.am/en/article/160931 |url-status=live |access-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008022919/https://hetq.am/en/article/160931 |archive-date=8 October 2023}}</ref> The delegation returned to the region on 9 October.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/10/06/In-the-near-future-UN-mission-will-visit-Nagorno-Karabakh-again/1009277 | title=In the near future, UN mission will visit Nagorno-Karabakh again | date=6 October 2023 | access-date=8 October 2023 | archive-date=7 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007035831/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/10/06/In-the-near-future-UN-mission-will-visit-Nagorno-Karabakh-again/1009277 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121517/ | title=UN sends second mission to depopulated Nagorno-Karabakh | access-date=9 October 2023 | archive-date=9 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009130227/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121517 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 4 January 2024, the US State Department placed Azerbaijan on its watchlist on religious freedom, following a recommendation by the [[US Commission on International Religious Freedom]] over concerns for the preservation of Christian religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh following the Azerbaijani takeover and government oversight in religious activities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240104-us-puts-azerbaijan-on-religious-freedom-watchlist | title=US puts Azerbaijan on religious freedom watchlist | date=4 January 2024 | access-date=5 January 2024 }}</ref>

On 7 December, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to hold a prisoner exchange and move towards normalising relations, stating in a joint statement their agreement to seize "a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20231207-armenia-azerbaijan-to-exchange-pows-take-steps-on-normalising-ties |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to exchange POWs, take steps on normalising ties |work=France 24 |access-date=8 December 2023 }}</ref> The exchange was conducted on 13 December, with two Azerbaijani soldiers being released in return for 32 Armenian soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-prisoners-of-war-f95771a56426b28608c0465e07d0c4f7 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange POWs in line with agreement announced last week |work=Associated Press |access-date=14 December 2023 }}</ref>▼

==== Normalisation efforts ====

▲On 7 December, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to hold a prisoner exchange and move towards normalising relations, stating in a joint statement their agreement to seize "a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region".<ref>{{cite web |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to exchange POWs, take steps on normalising ties |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20231207-armenia-azerbaijan-to-exchange-pows-take-steps-on-normalising-ties |titleaccess-date=Armenia,8 AzerbaijanDecember agree to exchange POWs, take steps on normalising ties2023 |work=France 24 |access-date=87 December 2023 }}</ref> The exchange was conducted on 13 December, with two Azerbaijani soldiers being released in return for 32 Armenian soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange POWs in line with agreement announced last week |url=https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-prisoners-of-war-f95771a56426b28608c0465e07d0c4f7 |titleaccess-date=Armenia14 andDecember Azerbaijan exchange POWs in line with agreement announced last week2023 |work=Associated Press |access-date=1413 December 2023 }}</ref>

Several countries have offered themselves to become a mediator between both sides in their peace talks and normalisation efforts, such as Georgia, Iran, the European Union and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Georgia Positions Itself as Mediator Between Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://jamestown.org/program/georgia-positions-itself-as-mediator-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Jamestown |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenare |first=Atta |date=2023-10-24 |title=Iran plays up mediator role in hosting Azerbaijan-Armenia dialogue |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/iran-plays-mediator-role-hosting-azerbaijan-armenia-dialogue |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Al Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to take steps towards normalisation |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231208-armenia-azerbaijan-agree-to-take-steps-towards-normalisation |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev have met several times for talks mediated by the EU, but progress towards normalisation stalled when Aliyev refused to attend French-mediated talks in Spain on October and U.S.-mediated talks in Washington D.C. on November, claiming both mediators had a "biased" position.<ref name=":9" />

Iran hosted talks between the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Tehran on October, with Turkey and Russia also participating. Georgia was invited to the talks but refused to attend. Iranian president [[Ebrahim Raisi]] emphasized Iran's rejection of "interference by Western powers in the Caucasus," signifying the country's discontent with U.S. and EU mediated talks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenare |first=Atta |date=2023-10-24 |title=Iran plays up mediator role in hosting Azerbaijan-Armenia dialogue |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/iran-plays-mediator-role-hosting-azerbaijan-armenia-dialogue |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Al Monitor |language=en}}</ref>

== Risk of genocide ==

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[[File:Ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh seeking refuge due to attacks by Azerbaijani armed forces.png|thumb|right|Armenians seeking refuge due to attacks by Azerbaijani forces]]

Human rights organizations and [[Genocide studies|experts in genocide prevention]] issued alerts stating that the ethnic Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh was at risk of [[genocide]],{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="fidh.org">{{Cite web|title=Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh raises the risk of genocide against ethnic Armenians in the region|url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/europe-central-asia/armenia/azerbaijan-s-attack-on-nagorno-karabakh-raises-the-risk-of-genocide|access-date=2023-09-22|work=International Federation for Human Rights|quote="'We have to prevent a mass expulsion of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,' remarks Oleksandra Matviichuk, FIDH's Vice-President, 'and we fear that the worst is yet to come for civilians who are left at the mercy of the advancing hostile forces unless the international community intervenes.' The international community must intervene to prevent genocide."|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055217/https://www.fidh.org/en/region/europe-central-asia/armenia/azerbaijan-s-attack-on-nagorno-karabakh-raises-the-risk-of-genocide|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation|title=Genocide Warning: Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh|date=23 September 2022|url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-warning-azerbaijan-and-nagorno-karabakh-september-2022|work=Genocide Watch|access-date=3 January 2023|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227225603/https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-warning-azerbaijan-and-nagorno-karabakh-september-2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|title=Red Flag Alert for Genocide – Azerbaijan Update 4|url=https://www.lemkininstitute.com/red-flag-alerts-1/red-flag-alert-for-genocide---azerbaijan-update-4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227225601/https://www.lemkininstitute.com/red-flag-alerts-1/red-flag-alert-for-genocide---azerbaijan-update-4|archive-date=27 February 2023|access-date=2022-12-22|work=Lemkin Institute}}</ref><ref name=":91">{{Cite web|last=Chidiac|first=Gerry|date=2023-02-09|title=World stands by in the face of the Second Armenian Genocide|url=https://troymedia.com/crime/world-stands-by-in-the-face-of-the-second-armenian-genocide/|access-date=2023-02-13|work=Troy Media|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043343/https://troymedia.com/crime/world-stands-by-in-the-face-of-the-second-armenian-genocide/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite web|last=Rhodes|first=January|date=2023-01-31|title=Museum Statement: Artsakh Crisis|url=https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/museum-statement-artsakh/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504043106/https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/museum-statement-artsakh/|archive-date=4 May 2023|access-date=2023-05-04|work=Illinois Holocaust Museum}}</ref><ref name=":93">{{Cite web|last=Gregorian|first=Alin K.|date=2022-12-20|title=Difficult Road Ahead for Karabakh and Armenia|url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2022/12/20/difficult-road-ahead-for-karabakh-and-armenia-2/|access-date=2023-04-01|work=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator|archive-date=2 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302181402/https://mirrorspectator.com/2022/12/20/difficult-road-ahead-for-karabakh-and-armenia-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":94">{{Cite web|date=2023-04-28|title=Azerbaijani activists end Nagorno-Karabakh sit-in as Baku tightens grip on region|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-armenia-activists-end-nagorno-karabakh-demonstration/|access-date=2023-05-04|work=Politico|quote=France's foreign minister has joined international observers in warning of the risk of 'ethnic cleansing' in the breakaway region.|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920124843/https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-armenia-activists-end-nagorno-karabakh-demonstration/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="www.foreign.senate.gov">{{Cite web|title=Against Backdrop of Baku's Ongoing Blockade of Lachin Corridor, Menendez Blasts Commerce Plans to Permit Export of Lethal Weapons to Azerbaijan |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/against-backdrop-of-bakus-ongoing-blockade-of-lachin-corridormenendez-blasts-commerce-plans-to-permit-export-of-lethal-weapons-to-azerbaijan|access-date=2023-05-07|work=www.foreign.senate.gov|date=2 February 2023|quote="Today, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh face an acute humanitarian crisis, threats of ethnic cleansing, and chronic shortages of water, energy, healthcare, and food."|archive-date=24 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824210345/https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/against-backdrop-of-bakus-ongoing-blockade-of-lachin-corridormenendez-blasts-commerce-plans-to-permit-export-of-lethal-weapons-to-azerbaijan|url-status=live}}</ref>

}} while others stated that Azerbaijan was already carrying out such actions.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Watch|first=Genocide |date=2023-09-21|title=Genocide Alert:Artsakh surrenders to Azerbaijan|url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-alert-azerbaijan-attacks-artsakh|access-date=2023-09-22|work=genocidewatchGenocide Watch |archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055120/https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-alert-azerbaijan-attacks-artsakh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-05|title=Risk Factors and Indicators of the Crime of Genocide in the Republic of Artsakh: Applying the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes to the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|url=https://www.lemkininstitute.com/_files/ugd/9bc553_2e3babd9d7834d7fbcfa262f88c9fa74.pdf|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071126/https://www.lemkininstitute.com/_files/ugd/9bc553_2e3babd9d7834d7fbcfa262f88c9fa74.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|last=Watch|first=Genocide |date=2023-09-21|title=CSI calls for Evacuation of Armenians Trapped in Artsakh|url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/csi-calls-for-evacuation-of-armenians-trapped-in-artsakh|access-date=2023-09-22|work=genocidewatchGenocide Watch |archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055121/https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/csi-calls-for-evacuation-of-armenians-trapped-in-artsakh|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention states "There is no doubt in the minds of experts in genocide prevention – at the Lemkin Institute, but also at [[Gregory Stanton#Genocide Watch|Genocide Watch]], the [[International Association of Genocide Scholars]], and among legal experts such as former ICC chief prosecutor [[Luis Moreno Ocampo]] – that what Armenians are facing from Azerbaijan is genocide."<ref>{{Cite web|title=SOS – Artsakh|url=https://www.lemkininstitute.com/sos-alerts-1/sos---artsakh|access-date=2023-09-22|work=Lemkin Institute|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921184333/https://www.lemkininstitute.com/sos-alerts-1/sos---artsakh|url-status=live}}</ref> Experts in genocide prevention have stated that Azerbaijan's ongoing blockade of Artsakh and sabotage of public infrastructure constitutes genocide under Article II, (c) of the [[Genocide Convention]], "Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction". There are various indicators that Azerbaijan possesses [[genocidal intent]]: President [[Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan#Official statements|Aliyev's public statements]], his regime's [[Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan#Destruction of cultural heritage|openly Armenophobic practices]] and noncompliance with the [[International Court of Justice]] orders to end the blockade.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2023-08-09|title=Top International Lawyer Calls Azerbaijani Blockade Of Nagorno-Karabakh Genocide|language=hy|work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32540730.html|access-date=2023-09-22|quote='...there is reasonable basis to believe that President Aliyev has Genocidal intentions: he has knowingly, willingly and voluntarily blockaded the Lachin Corridor even after having been placed on notice regarding the consequences of his actions by the ICJ's provisional orders,' the founding prosecutor of the International Criminal Court wrote in his conclusion.|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811183548/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32540730.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ocampo|first=Luis Moreno|date=2023-08-11|title=Starvation as a Means of Genocide: Azerbaijan's Blockade of the Lachin Corridor Between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh – Just Security|url=https://www.justsecurity.org/87574/starvation-as-a-means-of-genocide-azerbaijans-blockade-of-the-lachin-corridor-between-armenia-and-nagorno-karabakh/|access-date=2023-08-11|work=justsecurity.org|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055122/https://www.justsecurity.org/87574/starvation-as-a-means-of-genocide-azerbaijans-blockade-of-the-lachin-corridor-between-armenia-and-nagorno-karabakh/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Risk Factors and Indicators of the Crime of Genocide in the Republic of Artsakh: Applying the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes to the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|url=https://www.lemkininstitute.com/_files/ugd/9bc553_2e3babd9d7834d7fbcfa262f88c9fa74.pdf|work=The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention|quote=President Aliyev's intention to commit genocide against the Armenian of Nagorno-Karabakh "should be deduced from his informed, voluntary and antagonistic decisions with full disregard of the International Court of Justice orders....President Aliyev's public statements, coupled with his government's openly Armenophobic practices, clearly display the Azerbaijani regime's goal to completely eliminate the ethnic Armenian community residing in Artsakh, striving to eradicate any Armenian presence from the region. These verbalized aspirations, frequently translated into legal measures and manifested through the cited criminal acts detailed in this report, meet the criteria for the essential intent necessary for classifying these actions as genocidal.|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071126/https://www.lemkininstitute.com/_files/ugd/9bc553_2e3babd9d7834d7fbcfa262f88c9fa74.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Christian Solidarity International]] emphasized that the "[[United States]] has had ample notice of the forced deportation that is now unfolding in Nagorno Karabakh, starting with Genocide Watch Emergency Alerts in 2020, 2021, 2022, and a Genocide Warning issued by the Save Karabakh Coalition in December 2022. These warnings were followed by two Genocide Emergency Alerts issued Genocide Watch in 2023, and a declaration of genocide by the first Chief [[Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court]], Luis Moreno Ocampo."<ref name="auto1"/> [[Thomas de Waal]], a senior fellow at [[Carnegie Europe]], commented on Azerbaijan's ongoing nine-month long blockade of the region: "Armenians fear that this is a prelude to an Azerbaijani attempt to fully drive them all out of their homeland."<ref name=":90">{{Cite web|last=Reichardt|first=Adam|date=2023-04-29|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: no clear path out of the crisis|url=https://neweasterneurope.eu/2023/04/29/nagorno-karabakh-no-clear-path-out-of-the-crisis/|access-date=2023-05-04|work=New Eastern Europe|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920075500/https://neweasterneurope.eu/2023/04/29/nagorno-karabakh-no-clear-path-out-of-the-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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===== Armenian diaspora =====

[[File:Armenians staged a protest in front of the UN office in New York over the Azerbaijani attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, 4.jpg|thumb|Armenians protesting in front of the [[UN headquarters]]]]

In [[Los Angeles]], members of the [[History of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles|Armenian community]] used a trailer truck to block a major freeway for several hours to draw attention to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September, causing major traffic jams. Actress [[Kim Kardashian]], who is of [[Armenian Americans|Armenian descent]], called on [[President of the United States|United States President]] [[Joe Biden]] "to stop another [[Armenian genocide]]" on social media.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moure |first=Bassem |date=29 September 2023 |title=The fall of an enclave in Azerbaijan stuns the Armenian diaspora, extinguishing a dream |work=[[Associated Press News]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-diaspora-beirut-los-angels-nagornokarabakh-dc00e20d1c684877e5b0e67d3de76388 |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929083640/https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-diaspora-beirut-los-angels-nagornokarabakh-dc00e20d1c684877e5b0e67d3de76388 |archive-date=29 September 2023}}</ref> Armenian students of the [[University of Southern California]] protested the presence of Turkish Ambassadorambassador to the United States [[List of ambassadors of Turkey to the United States|Hasan Murat Mercan]] at a foreign policy conference held in the university campus. The university refused to cancel the event, maintaining their stance on [[Free speech|freedom of speech]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title=Armenians protest Turkish Ambassador’sAmbassador's presence on campus |url=https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2023/09/29/armenians-protest-turkish-ambassadors-presence-on-campus/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Annenberg Media |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=USC Armenian community expresses frustration after Turkish Ambassador visit |url=https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2023/10/02/usc-armenian-community-expresses-frustration-after-turkish-ambassador-visit/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Annenberg Media |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Jonathan |date=2023-10-06 |title=USC has failed its Armenian students |url=https://dailytrojan.com/?p=189903 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Daily Trojan |language=en-US}}</ref>

In [[Lebanon]], firecrackers were thrown at the Azerbaijani embassy in the Ein Aar suburb of [[Beirut]] during a protest by [[Armenians in Lebanon|Lebanese Armenians]] on 28 September, prompting riot police to disperse them with tear gas.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tawil |first1=Fadi |last2=Chehayeb |first2=Kareem |date=28 September 2023 |title=Lebanese Armenians scuffle with riot police during protest outside Azerbaijan Embassy |work=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-protest-armenians-azerbaijan-e56d7f366057e98dd879431e1a87a675 |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929083659/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-protest-armenians-azerbaijan-e56d7f366057e98dd879431e1a87a675 |archive-date=29 September 2023}}</ref> [[Armenian Argentines]] also held a protest in front of the Azerbaijani embassy in [[Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raubian |first=Matías |date=2023-10-12 |title=Armenians of Argentina protest genocide in Artsakh |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2023/10/11/armenians-of-argentina-protest-genocide-in-artsakh/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Armenian Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Russia ====

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United Nations spokesman [[Stéphane Dujarric]] told [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was "very concerning". He urged both sides to halt hostilities and go back to "sustained dialogue".<ref name=":52" /> The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, [[Alice Wairimu Nderitu]], expressed alarm at the military escalation by Azerbaijan, saying that: "Military action can only contribute to escalate what is already a tense situation and to put the civilian population in the area at risk of violence, including risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement by Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/USG_Nderitu_Statement_Armenia_Azerbaijan_22092023.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924180123/https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/USG_Nderitu_Statement_Armenia_Azerbaijan_22092023.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2023 |access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref>

The [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] adopted a joint statement on 12 October, signed by delegates from countries including Armenia, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, United States, France and Japan{{efn|Other countries that signed the joint statement include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Cyprus, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uruguay, Finland, Croatia, Sweden and Switzerland.}} expressing concern over the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Urging both Armenia and Azerbaijan to offer the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]] assistance and ensure the rights and safety of those remaining in the region. They also urged compliance with interim measures adopted by the [[European Court of Human Rights]] and provisional measures of the International Court. Lastly, the statement called for continued humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the crisis and for international access to Nagorno-Karabakh, supporting dialogue among all parties to ensure comprehensive and lasting peace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avetisyan |first=Vigen |date=2023-10-12 |title=A joint statement regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was presented at the UN Human Rights Council |url=https://allinnet.info/news/a-joint-statement-regarding-the-situation-in-nagorno-karabakh-was-presented-at-the-un-human-rights-council/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Art-A-Tsolum |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Geneva |first=U. S. Mission |date=2023-10-11 |title=Joint Statement on the Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://geneva.usmission.gov/2023/10/11/joint-statement-on-the-situation-in-nagorno-karabakh/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Other countries ====

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* [[China]]'s [[Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations|Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations]] [[Geng Shuang]] said during a [[United Nations Security Council]] emergency meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh that China was "carefully monitoring the situation", he added that he hoped that the Russian-mediated ceasefire would be upheld by both sides and result in the end of the conflict. He also expressed regret over the five Russian peacekeepers that were killed during the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-22|title=Beijing is following developments in Nagorno-Karabakh. Representative of China at UN|url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/09/22/Beijing-is-following-developments-in-Nagorno-Karabakh-Representative-of-China-at-UN/1000468|access-date=2023-09-23|work=1lurer.am|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923101109/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/09/22/Beijing-is-following-developments-in-Nagorno-Karabakh-Representative-of-China-at-UN/1000468|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=China hopes the ceasefire agreement in Nagorno Karabakh will be followed|url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/09/22/china-hopes-the-ceasefire-agreement-in-nagorno-karabakh-will-be-followed/|access-date=2023-09-23|work=Public Radio of Armenia|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923101112/https://en.armradio.am/2023/09/22/china-hopes-the-ceasefire-agreement-in-nagorno-karabakh-will-be-followed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Cyprus]]'s [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cyprus)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] stated that the country "categorically condemns the ongoing large-scale military aggression by Azerbaijan against the Armenian-populated Nagorno Karabakh" and called on Azerbaijan to de-escalate immediately.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mkrtchyan|first1=Marianna|title=Arminfo: Azerbaijan must de-escalate now. A ceasefire is critical, Cyprus Foreign Office says|url=https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=78899&lang=3|work=ArmInfo|access-date=24 September 2023|date=19 September 2023|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924073446/https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=78899&lang=3|url-status=live}}</ref>

* President of the [[Senate of the Czech Republic]] [[Miloš Vystrčil]] expressed support for Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, welcoming the latest European Parliament resolution condemning the offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh during a meeting with Vice Speaker of [[Parliament of Armenia]] [[Hakob Arshakyan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=President of the Senate of Czech Republic expresses support to Armenia’sArmenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1121580.html |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref>

* The [[French Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] strongly condemned the military operation and called for Azerbaijan "to immediately cease its assault and return to respect for international law" and requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. It stated that France had been "working closely with its European and American partners" to effectively respond to the attack, which it described as "unacceptable".<ref name="Barrons">{{cite web|title=France Seeks UN Meeting, US Plans Talks On Karabakh Fighting|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/france-seeks-urgent-un-security-council-meeting-on-karabakh-fighting-7ec54484|work=[[Barron's]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920072636/https://www.barrons.com/news/france-seeks-urgent-un-security-council-meeting-on-karabakh-fighting-7ec54484|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Catherine Colonna]] said it would hold Azerbaijan "responsible for the fate of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh."<ref name="halt" /> President [[Emmanuel Macron]] accused Russia of complicity with Azerbaijan in its offensive and also accused Turkey of threatening Armenia's borders.<ref>{{cite web|last=Demourian|first=Avet|title=Blast in Nagorno-Karabakh injures more than 200 as thousands flee to Armenia, local official says|url=https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-turkey-erdogan-refugees-275856efde7cb8f9a82d505bd36edf17|work=[[Associated Press News]]|date=26 September 2023|access-date=25 September 2023|archive-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925101050/https://apnews.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-turkey-erdogan-refugees-275856efde7cb8f9a82d505bd36edf17|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Gabon's Representative to the United Nations Edwige Koumby Missambo stressed that "everything must be done to avoid a return" to the 2020 war. She called on both sides to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and facilitate access of humanitarian personnel to population in need without restriction.<ref name=":7" />

* [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] offered to act as a mediator between Azerbaijan and Armenia in peace talks and normalisation of relations. This was accepted by Azerbaijan but Armenia did not comment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-08 |title=Azerbaijan's leader says his country is ready to hold peace treaty talks with Armenia |url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-armenia-georgia-94f906f5cbb449215168c3daf5dfec5b |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan Ready for Georgia-Mediated Peace Talks with Armenia |url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/azerbaijan-ready-for-georgia-mediated-peace-talks-with-armenia-2023-10-9-22/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=caspiannews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Service |first=RFE/RL's Georgian |title=Aliyev Says Azerbaijan Ready To 'Instantly' Begin Georgia-Hosted Talks With Armenia |language=en |work=RadioFreeEuropeRadio Free Europe/RadioLibertyRadio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-aliyev-armenia-talks-georgia-karabakh/32628325.html |access-date=2023-12-20}}</ref>

* [[German Foreign Minister]] [[Annalena Baerbock]] accused Azerbaijan of breaking its promise not to resort to military action in Nagorno-Karabakh and called on it to stop and return to negotiations.<ref>{{cite web |title=World reacts amid Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh attack|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/19/world-reacts-as-azerbaijan-launches-attack-in-nagorno-karabakh|work=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|date=19 September 2023|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071222/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/19/world-reacts-as-azerbaijan-launches-attack-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Ghana]]'s Representative to the United Nations Carolyn Abena Anima Oppong-Ntiri said the conflict was a reminder of the "fragile peace in the region", extending condolences to the families of civilians and Russian peacekeepers killed. She said an escalation of tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh was one that Europe and the rest of the world "can ill afford at this time of immense global security and political upheavals" and appealed for unrestricted humanitarian access as well as free movement along the Lachin Corridor.<ref name=":7" />

* [[Greece]]'s [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)|Foreign Ministry]] condemned Azerbaijan’s offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and urged the country to respect the human rights of ethnic Armenians and guarantee their safety.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1220546/greece-unequivocally-condemns-azerbaijans-karabakh-offensive/|title=Greece 'unequivocally condemns' Azerbaijan's Karabakh offensive|work=Kathimerini|date=21 September 2023|access-date=29 September 2023|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927172751/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1220546/greece-unequivocally-condemns-azerbaijans-karabakh-offensive/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The [[Holy See]] urged both sides to cease hostilities and seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-20|title=Pope Francis appeals for peaceful solution in Nagorno Karabakh – Vatican News|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-09/pope-francis-appeal-end-of-arms-in-upper-karabakh-audience.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921161353/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-09/pope-francis-appeal-end-of-arms-in-upper-karabakh-audience.html|archive-date=21 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-23|work=vaticannews.va}}</ref>

* [[Hungarian prime minister]] [[Viktor Orbán]] met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and congratulated Aliyev on the successful offensive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-03 |title=Orbán congratulates Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/orban-congratulates-azerbaijan-over-nagorno-karabakh/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

* [[India]] said that it encouraged both parties to ensure long-term peace and security in the region through dialogue and diplomacy, which includes the safety and well-being of all civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-06 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: History, India’sIndia's response |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-history-indias-response-8970391/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

* Iran offered to mediate the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia a day before the military operation began. [[Iranian Foreign Ministry|Foreign Ministry]] spokesman [[Nasser Kanaani]] urged both sides to adhere to the 2020 ceasefire agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Baku's promise was broken': World decries Nagorno-Karabakh flare up|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/19/world-reacts-as-azerbaijan-launches-attack-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2023-09-23|work=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071222/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/19/world-reacts-as-azerbaijan-launches-attack-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The [[Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland)|Irish Foreign Ministry]] condemned Azerbaijan's military operation and called for the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh to be respected and for immediate genuine and comprehensive dialogue.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=dfatirl|number=1704920088397087163|title=🇮🇪 echoes HRVP's condemnation of the military operation by Azerbaijan & calls for the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh to be respected and for immediate genuine & comprehensive dialogue.|access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>

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* Pakistani [[Pakistan Foreign Ministry|Foreign Ministry]] spokeswoman [[Mumtaz Zahra Baloch]] reaffirmed "unwavering" support for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, she added that Karabakh is a sovereign territory of Azerbaijan aligning with international resolutions and laws. He also expressed condolences for lives lost in mine explosions and hope for lasting peace in Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Latif|first1=Aamir|title=Pakistan backs Azerbaijan as Baku asks Armenian troops to disarm in Karabakh|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-backs-azerbaijan-as-baku-asks-armenian-troops-to-disarm-in-karabakh/2997486|work=[[Anadolu Ajansı]]|access-date=26 September 2023|place=Pakistan|date=21 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921112343/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-backs-azerbaijan-as-baku-asks-armenian-troops-to-disarm-in-karabakh/2997486|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Jalil Abbas Jilani]] met with his Azerbaijani counterpart [[Jeyhun Bayramov]], and reiterated the country's support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and legitimate steps taken in its sovereign territories|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/pakistan_supports_territorial_integrity_of_azerbaijan_and_legitimate_steps_taken_in_its_sovereign_territories-2759530|work=[[Azerbaijan State News Agency]]|access-date=26 September 2023|date=23 September 2023|archive-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926132515/https://azertag.az/en/xeber/pakistan_supports_territorial_integrity_of_azerbaijan_and_legitimate_steps_taken_in_its_sovereign_territories-2759530|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Poland]]'s [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Poland)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] expressed serious concern about the escalation of the conflict in Karabakh and called on Azerbaijan to cease hostilities and for both sides to resume dialogue involving the European Union and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poland calls on Azerbaijan to cease hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1120080/|work=[[Armenpress]]|access-date=24 September 2023|date=20 September 2023|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924073758/https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1120080/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Qatar]]'s Minister of Foreign Affairs described the offensive as "deeply concerning" and urged all parties to stop the military escalation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saif |first=Adnan |date=2023-09-20 |title=Qatar calls for peaceful settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijan, Armenia agree to ceasefire |url=https://dohanews.co/qatar-calls-for-peaceful-settlement-in-nagorno-karabakh-as-azerbaijan-armenia-agree-to-ceasefire/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=The Peninsula |date=2023-09-21 |title=Qatar calls for halting military escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh region |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/21/09/2023/qatar-calls-for-halting-military-escalation-in-nagorno-karabakh-region |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=thepeninsulaqatar.com |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Serbian President]] [[Aleksandar Vučić]] said that Serbia supports the "territorial integrity of member countries of the United Nations" but called for avoiding armed conflicts and further escalation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tass.com/world/1677275 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=tass.com}}</ref>

* [[Switzerland]]'s Permanent Representative to the United Nations [[Pascale Baeriswyl]] said that the military operation placed "additional burden on the already suffering civilian population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region". Following the ceasefire, she called for a lasting halt to hostilities on the ground. She urged both sides to adhere to the 2020 ceasefire agreement and rulings of the [[International Court of Justice]].<ref name=":7" />

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==== Other international organizations ====

* The [[Council of Europe]] stated that it was "extremely concerned about the serious humanitarian and human rights situation in Nagorno-Karabakh".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/humanitarian-situation-in-nagorno-karabakh|title=Humanitarian Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh – Portal – www.coe.int|access-date=28 September 2023|archive-date=7 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807022200/https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/humanitarian-situation-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The human rights organization [[Genocide Watch]] issued a new genocide alert on Azerbaijan, saying that the objective of President Aliyev's regime was "to drive all Armenians out of Artsakh through war and genocide," adding that "the silent genocide has become overt" and elevated their assessment of the situation to [[Ten stages of genocide|Stage 9: Extermination.]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Watch|first=Genocide |date=2023-09-21|title=Genocide Alert: Artsakh surrenders to Azerbaijan|url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-alert-azerbaijan-attacks-artsakh|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923055120/https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-alert-azerbaijan-attacks-artsakh|archive-date=23 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-22|work=genocidewatchGenocide Watch |quote=Genocide Watch considers Azerbaijan to be at Stage 4: Dehumanization, Stage 5: Organization, Stage 7: Preparation, Stage 8: Persecution, and Stage 9: Extermination.}}</ref>

* Organization of Turkic States Secretary General [[Kubanychbek Omuraliev]] expressed "serious concern regarding the Armenian provocations against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and condemned "the recent terror acts committed against Azerbaijan". He also expressed the "anti-terror measures conducted by Azerbaijan, will ensure reintegration of the Armenian residents into the constitutional system of the Republic of Azerbaijan".<ref>{{cite web|date=20 September 2023|title=Statement of the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States on anti-terror measures by Azerbaijan|url=https://www.turkicstates.org/en/haberler/statement-of-the-secretary-general-of-the-organization-of-turkic-states-on-anti-terror-measures-by-azerbaijan_3043|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920183314/https://www.turkicstates.org/en/haberler/statement-of-the-secretary-general-of-the-organization-of-turkic-states-on-anti-terror-measures-by-azerbaijan_3043|archive-date=20 September 2023|access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>

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==== Turkey ====

An official of the [[Ministry of National Defense (Turkey)|Turkish Ministry of National Defense]] stated that while [[Turkey]] was using "all means" to support Azerbaijan, including the modernisation of the Azerbaijani military and military training, denied that the country played a direct role in the offensive,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-21 |title=Azerbaijan ally Turkey says it played no direct role in Karabakh operation |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/azerbaijan-ally-turkey-says-it-played-no-direct-role-in-karabakh-operation |access-date=2023-12-21 |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> instead limiting its support for Azerbaijan to diplomatic means.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turkey supports ‘steps'steps taken by Azerbaijan’Azerbaijan' in Nagorno-Karabakh: Erdogan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/20/turkey-supports-steps-taken-by-azerbaijan-in-nagorno-karabakh-erdogan |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

==== Armenia ====

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the [[Armenian Armed Forces]] were not involved in the fighting and that its forces were not stationed in [[Nagorno-Karabakh]].<ref name=":5" /> Armenia's [[Ministry of Defence of Armenia|Ministry of Defense]] accused Azerbaijani officials of spreading misinformation, saying that there is no Armenian military equipment or personnel present in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=content |title=ՀՀ ՊՆ |url=https://www.mil.am/hy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912202656/https://www.mil.am/hy |archive-date=2023-09-12 |access-date=2023-09-19 |work=mil.am |language=hy}}</ref>

== Analysis ==

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[[Category:September 2023 events in Armenia]]

[[Category:September 2023 events in Azerbaijan]]

[[Category:Aftermath of the 2020Second Nagorno-Karabakh warWar|2023 clashes]]

[[Category:Battles involving the Republic of Artsakh]]

[[Category:Military operations involving Azerbaijan]]