Reintegration of Karabakh Armenians or exodus?

Baku/25.09.23/Reuters:The number of Armenians leaving Karabakh for Armenia reaches 5 thousand.  According to Armenian media reports, as of 12:00 on September 25, approximately 4,850 Armenians have left Karabakh for the Republic of Armenia. Images of extensive traffic jams on the route to Armenia have circulated on social media.

Amid this exodus, irredentist voices have called upon local residents not to panic and to avoid creating road congestion, which could hinder the evacuation of the wounded.

It is noteworthy that the process of Armenians leaving Karabakh is not anticipated to have a specific time limit, allowing anyone who wishes to depart the region to do so.

The Azerbaijani side has proposed the reintegration of Karabakh Armenians, but the mass migration of Karabakh Armenians from the region continues at a rapid pace. This raises questions about how this complex issue should be addressed.

Political commentator Rauf Mirkadyrov has shared his insights on the matter in the program "Difficult Question." According to Mirkadyrov, there are two potential approaches in the current situation.

"The first option is that very few Armenians will remain in Karabakh. While reports suggest there are around 120,000 Armenians residing in Karabakh, it is widely acknowledged that the actual number is significantly lower. Many will leave Karabakh en masse, and only a small fraction may choose to stay, likely with the assistance of Russia, which is interested in maintaining a minimal Armenian presence in the region. Without Armenians, the region's strategic significance diminishes," Mirkadyrov stated. However, he emphasized that this is the less desirable option, as current developments may serve the interests of various parties but could potentially be exploited against Azerbaijan in the future.

The second option, which Mirkadyrov believes Azerbaijan should pursue, involves preventing, to the extent possible, the departure of Armenians from Karabakh. This, however, cannot be achieved through coercion. To stem the exodus, Armenians should be alleviated of their fears, and conducive conditions should be established for them. Both the government and the public share the responsibility in this regard. This approach is particularly crucial if there is a genuine desire for Azerbaijanis to return to Zangezur, a historically significant region.