President of the unrecognised republic Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree on the termination of Nagorno-Karabakh’s existence as a Republic from 1 January 2024. The decree read:
“Based on the priority of ensuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Karabakh, taking into account the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with representatives of Azerbaijan that free, voluntary and unimpeded passage of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including military personnel who have laid down their arms, with their property is ensured on their vehicles along the Lachin corridor … a decision was made: to dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination until January 1, 2024, and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist.”
The residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are invited to familiarise themselves with the conditions of the region’s reintegration into Azerbaijan in order to make their own decision on the possibility of remaining in the region.
The decree goes into effect immediately after publication.
On September 19, Azerbaijan announced the launch of “local anti-terrorist operation” in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at “restoring the constitutional order.” Yerevan described the operation as aggression against the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and reiterated that it had no military presence in the disputed region. The next day, Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers.
