Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Announces Its Dissolution
The Facts
According to a decree signed by Nagorno-Karabakh Pres. Samvel Shakhramanyan on Thursday, the region's state institutions will be dismantled by the end of the year and the self-declared republic will cease to exist as of Jan. 1, 2024.
Since Azerbaijan's 24-hour offensive last week that led to local forces surrendering, around 70.5K people — over half the region's population — have reportedly crossed into Armenia via the Lachin corridor.
The Spin
Narrative A
Hundreds of years of Armenian history will soon be erased as Azerbaijan seeks to ethnically cleanse Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh to its indigenous Armenian population. The world, yet again, is watching in silence as long-dispossessed people are pushed out of their homeland.
Narrative B
Azerbaijan has finally triumphed and reclaimed its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. This will dislodge Armenia's military presence in the region and ensure the return of refugees displaced by Armenia in the first war — Azerbaijan only seeks to live in harmony with its neighbors.