The Nagorno-Karabakh War: Understanding Key Events

The Nagorno-Karabakh War refers to a complex and protracted ethno-territorial conflict primarily between Armenia, backed by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and Azerbaijan. This enduring dispute has seen two major phases of intense combat: the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994) and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020), alongside numerous skirmishes and ceasefire violations. At its core, the conflict revolves around the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but historically populated by a majority of ethnic Armenians, and the seven surrounding districts that were occupied by Armenian forces during the first war.

The Capture of Garadaghly: A Precursor to Escalating Violence in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War

The Capture of Garadaghly (Azerbaijani: Qaradağlının işğalı) was a significant, albeit often overshadowed, event that occurred during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. On 17 February 1992, Armenian volunteer units launched an offensive and successfully seized control of Garadaghly, an Azerbaijani-populated village located in the Khojavend district of Nagorno-Karabakh. This incident marked a brutal turning point for the local Azerbaijani population and contributed to the rapidly escalating violence in the region.

Garadaghly was strategically located in the Khojavend district (known as Martuni in Armenian nomenclature), a contested area vital for control over the broader Nagorno-Karabakh region. As an Azerbaijani-populated village, its capture represented a further consolidation of Armenian military control over areas within and around Nagorno-Karabakh. The seizure was not merely a military occupation but was reportedly accompanied by widespread atrocities. Accounts from various sources, including Azerbaijani governmental reports and testimonies, describe the killing of numerous Azerbaijani civilians and captured combatants during and immediately after the village's fall, in what is often referred to as the Garadaghly massacre. Estimates suggest dozens were killed, with many more taken captive, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences of the conflict for ethnic Azerbaijani communities in the region.

This critical event occurred mere days before the tragic Khojaly Massacre on February 26, 1992, where hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians were killed during their exodus from Khojaly, further underscoring the intense and often brutal nature of the early phase of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. The capture of Garadaghly, along with other similar incidents targeting Azerbaijani villages, served as a stark indicator of the impending large-scale ethnic displacement and violence that would characterize much of the conflict, leading to a profound humanitarian crisis in the affected areas.

What was the First Nagorno-Karabakh War?

The First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict that took place from 1988 to 1994, primarily between ethnic Armenians (supported by Armenia) and Azerbaijan. It began as an independence movement by ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan, escalating into full-scale war after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The war resulted in significant territorial changes, with Armenian forces gaining control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani districts.

Where is Garadaghly located?

Garadaghly is a village located within the Khojavend district of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Khojavend district was one of the most heavily contested areas during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War due to its strategic position within the broader conflict zone, sitting along key communication routes.

What happened during the Capture of Garadaghly on February 17, 1992?

On February 17, 1992, Armenian volunteer units attacked and seized the Azerbaijani-populated village of Garadaghly. Following its capture, numerous credible reports detail that dozens of Azerbaijani civilians and surrendered combatants were killed, and many others were taken captive. This event is widely referred to as the Garadaghly massacre in Azerbaijani historical narratives and by international observers documenting the human rights abuses of the war.

What was the broader significance of the Capture of Garadaghly?

The capture of Garadaghly was significant for several reasons. Militarily, it contributed to the consolidation of Armenian control in the Khojavend district. From a humanitarian perspective, it exemplified the brutal ethnic cleansing tactics employed during the conflict, leading to widespread casualties and displacement among the Azerbaijani population. Crucially, it also served as a critical precursor, both chronologically and in terms of escalating violence, to the larger-scale tragedy of the Khojaly Massacre that occurred just nine days later, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis that unfolded in early 1992.