Azerbaijan’s New Agenda To Capture Syunik, Armenia: A New Challenge for Armenia

In a startling development that has sent shockwaves through the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan has announced a new objective: the capture of Armenia's Syunik Province. This aggressive agenda was revealed during a public hearing scheduled for September 25 in the Azerbaijani parliament, where the topic of "The return to Western Azerbaijan: Legal aspects" will be discussed.

Azerbaijan's ambition to assert control over what it refers to as "Western Azerbaijan," specifically targeting Syunik Province and part of Vayots Dzor Province in Armenia, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

The public hearing, which is expected to draw significant attention from international observers, will reportedly encompass discussions on various contentious issues. These include the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from present-day Armenia, the legal aspects of returning to what Azerbaijan calls their "ancestral lands" in Western Azerbaijan, legal assessments of crimes allegedly committed by Armenians, and other related matters, as reported by the Azerbaijani news agency APA.

For years, Artsakh has been a source of instability in the South Caucasus, with sporadic clashes and periodic flare-ups. The 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan resulted in a ceasefire brokered by Russia, but it did not definitively resolve the underlying issues, including Azerbaijan’s will to occupy Syunik Province.

The announcement of Azerbaijan's new objective raises concerns and tensions in the already volatile region. Armenia, which considers Syunik Province an integral part of its sovereign territory, has expressed strong opposition to any attempts to alter its borders. Armenian officials have called for dialogue and peaceful negotiations to address regional concerns.

The international community has reacted cautiously to this development, with several countries and organizations urging restraint and diplomacy. The United Nations, in a statement, emphasized the importance of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, calling on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to adhere to their ceasefire agreement and work toward lasting stability.

The situation in the South Caucasus remains fluid and unpredictable, as Azerbaijan's new objective adds another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics. As the public hearing on September 25 approaches, all eyes will be on Baku to see how this emerging agenda will impact the already fragile balance in the region and the prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.