Azerbaijan's September 2022 Attack on Armenia Displaces Over 7,600; Strategic Positions Remain Seized

On September 12, 2022, a major escalation in the Armenia-Azerbaijan border conflict erupted, marking one of the most severe clashes. Over the course of three days, intense fighting broke out between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces along their shared border. The hostilities resulted in nearly 300 deaths and numerous injuries on both sides by September 14.

The conflict began with Azerbaijan initiating a large-scale attack on Armenian positions along a 200-kilometer stretch of the border. Azerbaijani forces targeted military and civilian sites in several Armenian towns, including Vardenis, Goris, Sotk, and Jermuk, using artillery, drones, and heavy weapons. Azerbaijan claimed that Armenian forces had engaged in "large-scale subversive acts" involving landmines, a claim supported by Azerbaijan's ally Turkey but widely disputed by various analysts and journalists.

The fighting led to Azerbaijani occupation over strategic positions deep within Armenia, displacing at least 7,600 civilians. Despite Russia's attempt to broker a ceasefire on September 13, the agreement quickly fell apart. A second ceasefire was brokered on September 14, but the violence had already caused significant damage and loss.

Armenia's request for military support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was denied, leaving it to fend for itself as the conflict continued. The clashes coincided with Russian setbacks in the Kharkiv counteroffensive in Ukraine, which weakened Russian influence in the Caucasus.

In the aftermath, leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan met with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel to address the crisis. The European Union deployed a civilian monitoring mission to Armenia, though Azerbaijan refused access to its side of the border. The OSCE also planned an assessment mission to Armenia.

The September 2022 clashes followed earlier border tensions, including Azerbaijani incursions into Armenian territory in May 2021 and further clashes in July and November 2021. Turkey and Azerbaijan had conducted joint military exercises prior to the September attacks, heightening concerns of an imminent conflict. 

During the violence, Armenia saw significant domestic unrest, with protests erupting in Yerevan and Stepanakert. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and expressed opposition to potential peace agreements perceived as compromising national interests.

As of today, Azerbaijani military forces continue to occupy portions of sovereign Armenian territory, despite ongoing efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to broker a peace agreement. The situation remains tense as both sides negotiate terms, with Azerbaijani troops holding strategic positions acquired during the September 2022 clashes. These positions include areas deep within Armenia's borders that were captured during the escalation of conflict. International mediators, including the European Union and various global powers, are actively involved in facilitating dialogue to reach a durable ceasefire and resolve the territorial disputes. However, the standoff persists as Azerbaijan remains on sovereign Armenian territory.