Events Overview

On December 10, Caucasus Watch reported that the visit of Azerbaijani environmentalists was coordinated with the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On December 11, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a note to Russia regarding peacekeepers. Aykhan Hajizada, the head of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, said that the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly appealed to the command of the peacekeeping contingent to prevent the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Azerbaijani territories where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, as well as to eliminate the consequences of the negative impact on the environment.

On December 12, some young people and members of various non-governmental organizations from Azerbaijan set up a tent on the Shusha-Lachin road and held a protest.

On December 12, protestors holding action in Shusha raised the Azerbaijani flag over the Lachin corridor. "Long live Azerbaijan! Long live the flag of Azerbaijan!" the protesters chanted. Moreover, Azerbaijanis organized a concert last night in the area where the action took place.

Recent developments around the Lachin corridor

On December 13, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the command of Russian peacekeepers is negotiating with representatives of Azerbaijan regarding the restoration of traffic in the direction of Shusha-Stepanakert/Khankendi.

Moreover, the de-facto Ministry of Finance and Economy of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh stated: "At present, fuel and food reserves are sufficient in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. The relevant structures constantly deal with food safety issues and monitor the food supply process, taking into account the provocative actions of Azerbaijan and challenges related to self-sufficiency in food. Authorized [de-facto] state authorities coordinate work so that companies maintain social responsibility and prevent unjustified inflation."

Hikmet Hajiyev, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, said that regarding the claims that the Lachin road was closed and that the Armenian residents living in the area are facing the threat of a humanitarian crisis, the Lachin road was closed not by Azerbaijani protesters but by the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Azerbaijan. Hajiyev claims that Baku is ready to meet humanitarian needs, and the claims of the Armenian side have no basis.

On the same day, the Azerbaijani company Azerigas stated: "Azerbaijan has nothing to do with the gas cut in the territories under the temporary control of Russian peacekeepers. In the coming days, appropriate technical diagnostic work will be carried out on the part of the gas line passing through the territories controlled by Azerbaijan."

Furthermore, Armenia's Health Minister Anahit Avanesian appealed to the World Health Organization about the situation in the Lachin corridor so that the structure responds to the situation and gives an appropriate assessment.

On December 14, the number of participants in the action on the Lachin corridor increased, and a large Azerbaijani flag was brought to the area.

Also, according to unofficial claims, Russia does not allow Azerbaijani trucks to cross the border with Belarus.

On the same day, the Catholicos of Armenians II Garegin called on Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the head of the Caucasian Muslims Administration, to take steps against the provocative actions of Azerbaijan.

Additionally, on the same day, the action participants created conditions for transferring humanitarian aid to the Armenians in Karabakh.

In the broadcast by Azerbaijani ATV TV, one of the Russian peacekeepers can be heard coming to an Azerbaijani protester and telling him that the Karabakh is Azerbaijan.

Martial law in separatist Nagorno-Karabakh

On December 14, by the decree of Arayik Harutyunyan, the de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, under martial law, a task force headed by State Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan was created, and the movement of citizens was restricted.

According to the decree:

• Restrictions are imposed on the right to free movement within the territory of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, and a special regime for exiting the specified territory is established.

• Restrictions are imposed on the rights to freedom of assembly; a ban on strikes and other events is imposed, and the work of organizations conducting propaganda against the defense and security of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh is suspended.

• A special task force was created under the leadership of State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

• The government is instructed to establish a special procedure for selling, purchasing, and circulating food, medicines, and essential commodities.

International reaction

The US urged Azerbaijan to restore free movement along the Lachin Corridor. "The suspension of transport through the Lachin corridor has serious humanitarian consequences and harms the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia," Ned Price, the head of the Press Service of the US State Department, added.

Peter Stano, the Lead Spokesperson for the EU's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized, "The EU has been following with serious concern the various developments around the Lachin corridor since the beginning of December, as well as the reports of Azerbaijan cutting off gas supplies. The EU calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor in line with the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020. Restrictions on such freedom of movement cause considerable discomfort to the local population and raise humanitarian concerns. Other problems can and should be solved through dialogue and consultation with the parties concerned. The EU reiterates its call for restraint and stands ready to contribute to the aforementioned efforts."

France also called for the immediate resumption of traffic along the Lachin corridor without any conditions. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement added: "Azerbaijan has undertaken to guarantee the safety of transportation of people, transport, and goods in two directions through the Lachin corridor."