Blockade

Since the recent stage of the Karabakh movement erupted in 1988, Azerbaijan resorted to attacks against Armenian citizens and declared a complete blockade against Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, it tried to isolate Artsakh people from international community and create unbearable conditions for living in Nagorno Karabakh. These actions were condemned by world governments. In particular, the 1992 Freedom Support Act by the U.S. Congress restricted any direct assistance to Azerbaijan due to the blockade. Title 9: Section 907 of the Act says: "United States assistance under this or any other Act ... may not be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh."

Only in 1992, after a successful military counter-operation, Karabakh Defense Army could partly eliminate the blockade and open a land connection between Artsakh and Armenia. The narrow corridor via Berdzor, called a ‘Road of Life’, gave the people in humanitarian crisis a hope for survival and access to food and medicines from Armenia.

So far, Azerbaijan continues its blockade of the NKR and Armenia. Moreover, since 1993, Turkey as a closest ally of Azerbaijan also closed its land border with Armenia trying to make pressure on Armenians in the Karabakh settlement process.  

The international community should hold Azerbaijan accountable for its blockades against Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. Continued hostility and warmongering by official Baku threatens the regional security and postpones the final resolution to the Karabakh problem.

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