Christian Communities in Near East Face Existential Threat Amid Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict

Prominent Christian leaders, including former ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback, have issued a warning that the ongoing war between Azerbaijan and Armenia poses a grave risk to the Christian communities in the near east.

Brownback’s concerns were expressed following his recent visit to Armenia with the Christian human rights group Philos Project, where he witnessed the impact of the conflict firsthand.

Religious Cleansing and Blockade:

Brownback, a Catholic, denounced Islamic Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenia and its ongoing blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh region as an attempt at “religious cleansing” targeting the Christian nation.

Backed by Turkey, Azerbaijan is gradually strangling Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to make the region unlivable for its Armenian-Christian population and force their displacement.

Urgent Call for Intervention:

To prevent the expulsion of another ancient Christian population from its homeland, Brownback urged the United States to intervene.

He called on Congress to pass a “Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act” to provide essential security guarantees for the Nagorno-Karabakh population.

Additionally, Brownback emphasized the need for the U.S. to reinstate previously imposed sanctions on Azerbaijan if it continues its blockade.

Similar Attacks and Current Support:

According to Brownback, Christians in the near east have faced similar attacks in the past.

However, this time the religious cleansing is being carried out with U.S.-supplied weaponry and with the support of Turkey, a NATO member.

The location of Armenia, sandwiched between Turkey and Azerbaijan, makes it vulnerable to these regional dynamics.

With over 90% of the population being Christian, Armenia has deep-rooted Christian heritage dating back to ancient times.

Historical Context and Conflict:

The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when both Armenia and Azerbaijan claimed the land for themselves.

Following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994, Armenia gained primary control of the region.

However, tensions between the two nations reignited in September 2020, resulting in a brief but intense military conflict.

Russia facilitated a peace deal in November, but Azerbaijan gained significant control, leaving Armenia with limited access to Nagorno-Karabakh through the “Lachin corridor.”

Humanitarian Crisis and Urgent Need for Assistance:

The ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor since December has severely impacted Armenian infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The situation is dire, with limited access to essential supplies, such as natural gas and electricity, causing immense suffering for the region’s population.

Philos Project President Robert Nicholson highlighted the urgent need for assistance, emphasizing that families have been separated, surgeries have been canceled, and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are in desperate need of help.

Conflict as an Ideological Struggle:

Contrary to the territorial dispute narrative often portrayed in media coverage, Brownback and Nicholson stress that the conflict in Azerbaijan and Armenia is rooted in ideology and religion.

It is not merely a question of land but also a clash of values.

The Armenian people, according to Nicholson, have modest demands: the desire to live securely in their homeland.

Room for Peaceful Resolution:

Despite the challenges and threats faced by Armenian Christian communities, Nicholson maintains that their plight is not a lost cause.

Armenia continues to demonstrate vibrancy amidst the hardships.

Nicholson believes that the United States can play a constructive role in facilitating a peaceful and just solution to the conflict, considering the alliance with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Conclusion:

The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses a significant threat to Christian communities in the near east.

Religious cleansing and the ongoing blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh are pushing Armenia’s Armenian-Christian population towards displacement.

Urgent intervention is necessary to safeguard their rights and security.

The international community, including the United States, has a crucial role to play in bringing about a peaceful resolution and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.