Over 120,000 Christian Armenians, lacking access to essential supplies like food and medicine, find themselves presently confined within the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This area is encircled by a blockade enforced by Azerbaijan, a nation predominantly Muslim in its composition.

Sam Brownback, the former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, recently concluded a fact-finding mission in Armenia. He asserted that Azerbaijan's actions could be likened to "strangling" the Christian population within the region. This blockade is being seen as the latest manifestation of the regime's efforts towards what he terms "religious cleansing."

Elaborating further, he explained, "Their strategy seems geared toward rendering the region uninhabitable, thereby coercing the Armenian-Christian population into departing. This is the unfolding reality on the ground," Brownback stated in June.

Starting from 1988, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, alternatively referred to as "Artsakh" by the Armenians.

While some perceive the conflict as primarily a territorial disagreement, experts stress that religion significantly contributes to the hostilities between Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan. The core of the matter lies in Armenia's endeavor to retain control over Artsakh, whereas Azerbaijan aims to displace the Armenian Christian population to solidify its dominion in the area, as highlighted by Brownback.

Azerbaijan maintains not only political but also philosophical alignment with the prominent regional power, Turkey. Brownback posits that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan entertains aspirations of resurrecting the Ottoman Empire, which committed atrocities against Armenian Christians during the early 20th century.

Positioned in the southern Caucasus Mountains, Armenia finds itself wedged between the Muslim nations of Turkey and Azerbaijan, exposing it to persistent threats from its more substantial and influential Islamic neighbors.

Armenia possesses an ancient Christian heritage, boasting one of the world's oldest Christian communities.

Both nations were constituents of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. Following the fall of the Soviets, both nations asserted their claims over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Throughout the years, the conflict has escalated into full-fledged warfare on multiple occasions, with various attempts at ceasefires proving futile in maintaining peace.

Experts Highlight Genocide Threat to Christian Community in Nagorno-Karabakh

Several experts who have conducted on-the-ground assessments in Armenia convey that the Christian populace in Nagorno-Karabakh is confronted with an impending genocide.

Robert Nicholson, President of the Catholic human rights organization the Philos Project, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating in June, "The circumstances are exceedingly urgent and existential. This is the oldest Christian nation facing, for the second time in a mere century, the looming specter of genocide."

Observers stress the immediate necessity for international intervention to facilitate the provision of food and essential supplies to the Armenians trapped within Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2020, with the support of Turkey, Azerbaijan reignited the long-standing conflict by launching an invasion into Nagorno-Karabakh. A six-week-long battle concluded with Azerbaijan seizing control of the region.

The war's toll included the deaths of 6,800 combatants, displacement of 90,000 individuals, and the isolation of over 100,000 Armenian Christians from the rest of Armenia. The sole lifeline between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, a narrow road known as the "Lachin Corridor," spanning under four miles, remains the only conduit for delivering sustenance and provisions to those residing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In December 2022, Azerbaijani pro-government groups initiated a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, ostensibly citing Armenian environmental transgressions. This blockade severed all access to aid. In April, the protests came to an end as Azerbaijani troops, defying international warnings, established a military checkpoint on the road, perpetuating the blockade.

Pope Francis Expresses Concern as Situation Deepens

During his Sunday Angelus address on December 18, 2022, Pope Francis conveyed his apprehensions regarding the state of affairs in the Lachin Corridor.

"I implore all parties involved to dedicate themselves to discovering peaceful resolutions for the welfare of the people," urged the pope.
He added, "I am particularly troubled by the vulnerable humanitarian conditions faced by the populations, which risk further deterioration in the course of the winter season."

Despite the pontiff's statements and protests emanating from Armenia, international human rights organizations, and the United Nations, Azerbaijan has remained steadfast in refusing to terminate the blockade. Furthermore, in January, Azerbaijan went so far as to deny the existence of any blockade.

According to the Azerbaijani government's perspective, the safety of civilians, vehicles, and goods traveling through the Lachin Corridor is assured. From their standpoint, these assurances extend to "preventing any mistreatment along the Lachin Road.

Catholic Relief Services Extends Aid to Armenian Christians

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the global humanitarian arm of the U.S. bishops, has been actively aiding Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh by contributing funds to Caritas Armenia, the local branch of the international Catholic relief organization Caritas.

Stepayan noted, "Following the outbreak of the conflict in 2020, CRS promptly initiated their presence and immediate assistance, beginning from the initial days of the war."

CRS played a pivotal role by delivering urgent humanitarian assistance, financial aid, and support for capacity development to Caritas Armenia.
Additionally, Caritas International has lent its support to Caritas Armenia through fundraising initiatives and emergency appeals.

International Aid and Diplomacy

Despite the prevailing blockade and the prior armed conflict, the United States has persistently extended millions of dollars in economic assistance to Azerbaijan, as per data from the U.S. State Department. Notably, during the fiscal year 2022, the U.S. allocated over $13 million in aid to Azerbaijan.
France and the European Union have similarly provided tens of millions of dollars in economic aid to Azerbaijan in recent years.

These actions have spurred the belief that international pressure could potentially foster a resolution to the ongoing situation.

Former ambassador Brownback has urged the U.S. government to invoke Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992. This section stipulates that U.S. aid and funding "shall not be furnished to the government of Azerbaijan unless the President determines and reports to Congress that the government of Azerbaijan is taking discernible measures to cease all blockades and other aggressive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh."

Despite the persistent conflict surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, the U.S. has continuously waived this constraint for over two decades.

Global Diplomatic Efforts: Peace Talks Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

During May and June, the United States, European Union, Russia, and several other countries collaborated in orchestrating a series of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Over the course of those two months, leaders from the conflicting nations convened in various locations, including Washington, D.C.; Moscow; Brussels; Chisinau, Moldova; and Ankara, Turkey. The recurrence of these diplomatic meetings has ignited hope that a peaceful resolution might soon be attainable.

While Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has acknowledged Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani sovereign territory, he remains committed to advocating for the rights of the Armenians ensnared in the region.