2020 bombardment of Stepanakert

The clashes are part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh with an ethnic Armenian majority.[9][10][11][12] The region is a de jure part of Azerbaijan, but is de facto held by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, which is supported by Armenia.[13] The region has been historically inhabited and governed by ethnic Armenians. In 1921, Stalin made Nagorno-Karabakh an autonomous region in Soviet Azerbaijan, against the will of its majority ethnic Armenian population. Ethnic violence began in the late 1980s, and exploded into a full war following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. The First Nagorno-Karabakh War displaced over 500,000 Azerbaijani residents who used to live in the territory and surrounding provinces.[14] The War ended with a ceasefire in 1994, with the Republic of Artsakh controlling most of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as the surrounding districts of Agdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Kalbajar, Qubadli, Lachin and Zangilan of Azerbaijan.[15] Nagorno-Karabakh held an independence referendum in 1991, voting to secede from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan did not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and the war continued until the 1994 ceasefire.

For three decades, multiple violations of the ceasefire have occurred, the most serious incidents prior to the current conflict being the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes.[16] Long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by the OSCE Minsk Group in 1994, with the interrupted Madrid Principles being the most recent iteration.[17][18][19] While how the present inhabitants of the area want to administer the territory is unclear, surveys indicate they do not want to be part of Azerbaijan. In August 2019, in an unprecedented declaration in favour of unification, the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, visited Nagorno-Karabakh, stating, “Artsakh is Armenia, full stop”.[14]

Skirmishes occurred on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in July 2020.[16] Thousands of Azerbaijanis demonstrated for war against Armenia in response, with Turkey propagandising in support of Azerbaijan.[20]

On 23 July 2020, Armenia announced the start of a joint air defence system exercise with Russia and an analysis of the July 2020 clashes.[21] A week later, Azerbaijan conducted a series of military exercises that lasted from 29 July to 10 August,[22] and further exercises in early September with the involvement of Turkey.[23] Turkey's support for Azerbaijan has been seen as connected to its expansionist, neo-Ottoman foreign policy,[24] linking its intervention to its policies in Syria, Iraq, and the Eastern Mediterranean.[25]

Prior to the resumption of hostilities, allegations emerged that hundreds of Syrian National Army members from the Hamza Division were transferred to Azerbaijan,[26] while Turkish media close to President Erdogan claimed that YPG and PKK members from Iraq and Syria were transferred to Nagorno-Karabakh in order to train Armenian militias against Azerbaijan.[27] The governments of both Azerbaijan and Armenia have denied allegations of involvement by foreign fighters.[28][29][30]

International third parties confirmed witnessing evidence of the use of banned cluster munition by Azerbaijan against civilian areas in Stepanakert and Nagorno-Karabakh.[31][8] Reports indicated that Azerbaijan used missiles and cluster bombs starting on September 27, 2020. Over 180 cluster munitions were used between September 27, 2020 to October 10, 2020. Armenian experts have identified a Soviet-made Smerch rocket, 9N235 submunition to be one of the 72 bomblets dispersed. Israeli-made M095 DPICM cluster munitions was also identified.[6][7]

During an on-site investigation in Nagorno-Karabakh in October 2020, Human Rights Watch documented four incidents in which Azerbaijan used Israeli-made cluster munitions against civilian areas of Nagorno-Karabakh.[8] The HRW investigation team did not find any sort of military sites in the residential neighborhoods where the cluster munitions were used and condemned its use against civilian populated areas. Stephen Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition, stated that "the continued use of cluster munitions – particularly in populated areas – shows flagrant disregard for the safety of civilians.” He then added that "the repeated use of cluster munitions by Azerbaijan should cease immediately as their continued use serves to heighten the danger for civilians for years to come."[8] The HRW investigation team also noted that numerous civilian buildings and infrastructure, such as children's playgrounds, business, and homes, were heavily damaged due to shelling.[8]

Several outlets reported increased cases of COVID-19 as a result of the shelling and drone strikes by Azerbaijan in Stepanakert, where the population is forced to live in overcrowded bunkers, and the difficulty that entails for testing and contact tracing[32][33]

A partly destroyed middle school in Stepanakert

According to the Office of the President of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, hostilities commenced when at 08:03 Azerbaijani armed forces launched artillery and aerial strikes against civilian settlements, including the capital, Stepanakert. Authorities urged the population to seek cover in bomb shelters.[34] An air-raid siren was turned on in Stepanakert.[35] More than a dozen people were injured in Stepanakert (including women and children);[36] the Azerbaijani MoD denied these claims.[37]

At approximately 14:00, the Armenian MoD stated that Azerbaijani forces were bombarding Stepanakert.[38] As a result, the building of Ministry of Emergency Situations was partially destroyed and the cars in the parking lot were damaged.[39] Residential buildings and also a military hospital was targeted. Reports indicated that 1 civilian was killed and 4 injured.[40]

According to the Armenian government's Unified Info Center, Stepanakert, was shelled again Saturday morning.[41] "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has reported that at 11:00 a.m Azerbaijan resumed shelling of Stepanakert. Residents remained in shelters while air alert sirens were used to warn the population. Over the course of the day three explosions were heard.[42]

According to the Armenian government's Unified Info Center, Azerbaijan has targeted the Stepanakert maternity hospital.[43]

On December 11, 2020, Human Rights Watch released a comprehensive report about violations by Azerbaijan, also mentioning the attacks on Stepanakert using cluster munitions, Smerch, and Grad rockets, which occurred even though there was no evidence of military operations in those areas. The report also stated how in October, they spoke to 19 residents about the attacks, and the effects of the war in Stepanakert. HRW added a statement to the report saying "Such attacks are indiscriminate, violating the laws of war, because they do not distinguish between civilians and civilian objects and military targets." [2]