Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh ebbs as Azerbaijan moves to reaffirm

3/10/2023 6:17

        The last bus carrying ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh left the region Monday, completing a grueling weeklong exodus of over 100,000 people - more than 80% of its residents - after Azerbaijan reclaimed the area in a lightning military operation.
        
        The bus that entered Armenia carried 15 passengers with serious illnesses and mobility problems.
        
        In a 24-hour military campaign that began on Sept. 19, the Azerbaijani army routed the region's undermanned and outgunned Armenian forces, forcing them to capitulate. Separatist authorities then agreed to dissolve their government by the end of this year.
        
        While Baku has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, most of them hastily fled the region, fearing reprisals or losing the freedom to use their language and practice their religion and customs.
        
        The Armenian government said Monday that 100,514 of the region’s estimated 120,000 residents have crossed into Armenia.