1993 Summer Offensives

The 1993 Summer Offensives of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War saw the capture of several Azerbaijani regions by Armenian military units in a series of battles from June to August 1993.

1993 Summer Offensives
Part of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War
DateJune-August 1993
Location
Agdam, Azerbaijan
Result Armenian victory
Belligerents
 Armenia
 Nagorno-Karabakh Republic		  Azerbaijan
Afghan Mujahideen from Hezb-e-Islami[1]
Casualties and losses
~150,000–180,000 Azerbaijanis displaced[2][3]

Offensive

In the summer of 1993, Aghdam District became a scene for exchange of artillery from both sides. On July 4, an artillery bombardment was commenced by the Armenian forces against the city of Aghdam. As the civilians began to evacuate the city, so did the soldiers. As house to house fighting took place, the Azerbaijanis made little effort to defend the town. Within the end of the month, the Armenian forces had taken hold of Agdam, and an estimated 120,000 Azerbaijani civilians had fled the region. On July 29, the second UNSC resolution, 853, was passed condemning the offensive and reaffirming the previous points it had made. Despite calls to halt their advances, the Armenian government stated that they had no control over the enclave's military leaders in order to call off the offensive.[2]

Facing a military collapse, Aliyev attempted to mediate with the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh government and Minsk Group officials. A three-day truce was agreed upon by both governments beginning on July 26. Within days, as a sight that had become all too familiar for both, the cease fire collapsed and both sides resumed their fighting. In mid-August, the Armenians massed a force to take Fuzuli and Jabrayil, south of NKAO proper, and within Azerbaijan's control. Azerbaijan charged that the Armenian forces had already begun bombarding the villages while the Armenians denied it, claiming that they were "defending the southern border of the enclave from the Azerbaijani attacks." In either case, the Armenian forces crossed south and advanced south towards the border of Iran towards Fuzuli. Supported by heavy armour, they pushed their way through the region as Iran's government issued several warnings on the new offensive but also said it would recommit itself to new peace talks. The region was populated by 30–50,000 Azerbaijanis, forcing many of them to flee and seek refuge in Iran. By August 20, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Zangelan had fallen.[3]

Afghan Mujahideen from Hezb-e-Islami took part in the offensive on Azerbaijan's side.[1]

References
  1. Taarnby, Michael. "The Mujaheddin in Nagorno-Karabakh: A Case Study in the Evolution of Global Jihad". realinstitutoelcano.org.
  2. Sonni, Efron (July 25, 1993). "Armenians hand Azerbaijanis major loss". The Montreal Gazette. p. B1.
  3. The New York Times Company. Caucasus City Falls to Armenian Forces. New York Times. August 24, 1993. pg. A7
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