Nagorno-Karabakh Declares Independence
WarEcho Team news
Nagorno-Karabakh proclaims independence as Soviet Union collapses, escalating conflict to full-scale war
The Nagorno-Karabakh regional council proclaimed the establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), declaring independence from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union entered its final months.
The Declaration
Based on Soviet law allowing secession:
- Cited USSR law on secession procedures
- Claimed right as autonomous region
- Declared formation of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
- Included Shahumyan region in north
Legal Arguments
Armenian position:
- Followed Soviet legal procedures
- Autonomous regions had secession rights
- Response to Azerbaijani violence
- Exercise of self-determination
Azerbaijani position:
- Illegal unilateral act
- Violated territorial integrity
- No right to secession
- Armed rebellion
Immediate Consequences
- Azerbaijan began military offensive
- Soviet troops withdrawing
- Local forces took control
- Full-scale war erupted
December Referendum
On December 10, 1991:
- 99.89% voted for independence
- Azerbaijani population boycotted
- Not internationally recognized
- Deepened political divide
International Response
- No country recognized independence
- Concerns about precedent
- Calls for peaceful resolution
- CSCE (later OSCE) involvement begins
War Escalation
The declaration triggered:
- Azerbaijani military assaults
- Armenian military support
- Civilian bombardments
- Ethnic cleansing campaigns
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