A Mini History Lesson
Artsakh, also known by its Russian name Nagorno-Karabakh, is a territory made up of ethnic Armenians that broke from Azerbaijan post the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
During the 1920s, the region known as Nagorno-Karabakh was placed under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan by Soviet authorities such as Stalin, despite its majority Armenian population.
In 1988, right before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenians in the region started demanding to be reunited with Armenia or to be granted independence. As tensions grew, so did ethnic violence on both sides.
In 1992, a full-scale war broke out and continued until Armenians gained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding territories.
In 1994, a ceasefire was signed by both sides.
To this day, the conflict remains at a stalemate. However, since Azerbaijan still aspires to fain back control of Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding territories, there are occasional flare-ups near the border.
On July 12-13, Azerbaijan once again breached the ceasefire, this time at the border of Armenia proper, specifically in the Tavush region of Armenia. They advanced attacks on a mask factory and a kindergarten, and made threats to destroy a nuclear power plant in Armenia.
The UN and OSCE Minsk Group failed to acknowledge this violation.
What Happened?
Moving onto what is happening right now.
On September 27, Azerbaijan commenced military attacks to harm and kill the Armenians, of Artsakh. The people of Artsakh have been peacefully living in their historic homeland for more than 2,000 years.
Azerbaijan, in collaboration with Turkey, have launched a pre-planned, large-scale war against the people of Artsakh and Armenia. Massive missile and aerial attacks against peaceful settlements, schools, and infrastructure are taking place right now, and no one is talking about it. Their first bombs falling on the homes of non-combatants including women and children.
Turkey’s population is 80 million, Azerbaijan’s population is 10 million, and Armenians in Armenia is at 3 million. The forces are not equal.
The world turned a blind eye during the Armenian genocide in 1915, the mass killings and the organized killings of ethnic grounds in 1980s and 90s, Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenia in 2016. Now, the world is turning a blind eye t0 150,000 landlocked civilians under attach by Azerbaijan and Turkey.
We (Armenians) don’t ask much of you. Here is the simple list that can get you started on how to help Armenia.
How to Help Armenia:
1. Educate Yourself
Most of us are already on social media. Although, this is not the best method to start your educational journey, it is better than nothing. You can check out resources from the list below:
2. Sign Petitions
This first petition is to condemn Turkey and Azerbeijan’s aggression against Artsakh-Armenia.
This second petition is to disarm Azerbaijan by enforcing OSCE Arms Embargo Enforcement. The OSCE is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Its mandate includes issues like arms control, promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections.
3. Donate
This is the best way to help Armenia. We have everything we need on ground, but unlike our adversaries we don’t have a large GDP. During these financially difficult times, it is understandable that this might not be a viable option for everyone. However, we ask you to donate even just $1 because as mentioned above we are extremely outnumbered. The best way to help this cause is through financial donations.
ArmeniaFund is the most credible source to donate at this time.
Himnadram is another credible source to take into consideration.
4. Spread Awareness
We urge you to speak up for the millions of Armenians around the world. Urge the media to report what is happening in Armenia and Artsakh. Lastly, call on your politicians to condemn Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh and Armenia. Call on you U.S. Representative for immediate passage of H.Res.1135. All you need to do is text PASSAGE to 52886.
The politicians that have stood in solidarity are as follows:
- Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
- Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
- Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO)
- Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
- Senator Ed Markey (D-MA)
- Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
- Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA)
- Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
- Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
- Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
- Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)
- Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
- Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA)
- Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-CA)
- Rep. Jim costa (D-CA)
- Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
- Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
- Senator Anthony Portantino (D-CA)
- Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
And many more! Did you know that there is an entire Armenian caucus lead by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-CA), and Jackie Speier (D-CA).
If there is one thing you take away from this its, for Armenians this is not a war of territory, this is fight for our identity. Armenians are a united front on this conflict, we are not divided on what is happening. However, the adversaries are divided. There are celebrities coming out talking about how dictatorial their governments are.
So, turning a blind eye to this, is turning a blind eye against our human existence. If you think “well if all Armenians were gone, would it matter, would it impact me?” Yes, it would. Stay tuned on this list of people you didn’t know were Armenian and contributed to modern day.
Please consider these ways to help Armenia right now. With the news skewing the actual message, all of these mentioned are extremely important in how to help Armenia.
Thank you for telling us about this. Very sorry to hear what you and your people are enduring. I want to ask if you’re in Armenia now. If you’d like to share a story of your personal experience I would be happy to feature you. I don’t share articles that inform … I share stories of real personal experience (with a message of hope for better) – to Spread hope, empathy and understanding. If you’re open to sharing, I believe your story can do this. Reach out via email if you’re open to this
I love hearing about we can all help each other!! This is fantastic thanks!
It makes my heart to read all this, on the news in my country (Italy) they talk about it, but not carefully and therefore it is difficult to understand what really happens. I depart from my country (which is a friend of Turkey -.-) and instead support the Armenian cause!