Nagorno Karabakh: The Return of Dark Days

Anush Babajanyan April, 5 2016

Anush Babajanyan photographs in the unrecognized republic that won the war with Azerbaijan 20 years ago. Military action on the border started again several days ago.

The Bishkek Protocol, a ceasefire agreement that terminated the Nagorno Karabakh War, was signed in 1994, after three years of military action and seven years of conflict. Skirmishes on the border with Nagorno Karabakh have never ceased.

Visits to Nagorno Karabakh in the last several years have been like light trips to the land of gorgeous nature. But pain is always felt here — it is pain mixed with the local decisive character.

The clashes between the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces escalated to a great extent beginning on the night of April 1-2, 2016. More than 40 soldiers on both sides, and several civilians, were killed as a result of these clashes.

The spirit here is rather heavy. Karabakh means Black Garden, and the beauty of this garden is living its dark years.