VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia is increasing. The two countries, which have a history of conflict for decades, have re-engaged in armed clashes. On Sunday, September 27, 2020, the military forces of each country reportedly attacked each other in a border area that has long been a critical area of dispute. Military officials from both sides accused and blamed each other for the heavy artillery fire. It was reported that the incident has taken some lives including a child and a woman near Nagorny Karabakh. This region is an area on the border of Azerbaijan and Armenia which has been disputed by the two countries for many years. History records the conflict of Nagorny Karabakh has its roots in 1921. At that time, the Soviet Union included Nagorny Karabakh to become part of Azerbaijan, even though the majority of its population is ethnic Armenian.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union as a result of Perestroika in 1991, provided an opportunity for the Armenian people to separate Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan. Armenian separatists supported by the Armenian government then took over and declared it a separate territory which until now was not recognized by the United Nations.

The recent chaos began to occur in July 2020. This has raised fears of a resurgence of war which could result in the death of large numbers of civilians. Data says that in the post-Soviet Union war, at least 30 thousand people from both ethnicities were killed. Meanwhile, thousands of people living on the border were forced to flee. The region of the Caucasus, known for its fertility and beauty, was devastated by war.

With mediation by the United States, Russia and France, Azerbaijan and Armenia finally concluded a ceasefire. Even so, the disputed areas around Nagorny Karabakah are still prone to conflict, as happened last July. In 2016, a violent clash had also occurred which resulted in the deaths of 110 people.

As with the internal conflicts or between neighboring countries that have occurred in several regions in the world, such as North Korea and South Korea, as well as the war in Syria, the feud between Azerbaijan and Armenia also involves foreign parties. Turkey supports Azerbaijan which is an oil rich country. In addition, historically, Armenia is known to have a hereditary grudge against Turkey. During the first world war, it was recorded that at least one and a half million Armenians were killed in the Turkish expansion, which was then under the Ottoman Empire. Armenia itself is known for a long time relying on Russia as its support, including from the military side and war equipment. Apart from historical factors, Turkish intervention also appears to be driven by political interests, namely to strengthen its influence in the Caucasus region.

The international community also paid attention to the chaos of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Economically, concerns arise because not far from the conflict area there is a pipeline that supplies fuel oil to various countries in the world.

History shows that war or armed conflict is not the ideal solution for resolving disputes. Negotiations to seek peace are the best way. However, in the conflicts of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the resentment and hatred that has been ingrained since decades can become an obstacle to peace. Especially when the political and economic interests of other countries have played a major role.