Azerbaijan's Disconnection: Complex Reasons For A Complex Issue

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region, bordering Armenia, Iran, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey. While it is geographically disconnected from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave that is internationally recognized as a constituent part of Azerbaijan, it is not entirely disconnected as a country. The Nakhchivan exclave is landlocked and shares a 71-kilometer border with Armenia to the east and north. This disconnection resulted from historical and political factors, including Soviet rule and territorial disputes with neighboring countries.

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is geographically severed from Azerbaijan by an 80-130km strip of Armenia

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan, with a population of 459,600. It is bordered by Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the southwest, and Turkey to the west. Geographically, it is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by a strip of land that is part of Armenia, between 80 and 130km long.

Historically, the region has been contested by various empires, including the Persians, Armenians, Mongols, and Turks. In the 16th century, it became part of Safavid Iran, and later, in the mid-18th century, it was established as the semi-autonomous Nakhchivan Khanate. In 1828, after the Russo-Persian War, the Nakhchivan Khanate was passed to Imperial Russia.

During the early 20th century, the region was heavily contested between the newly formed states of the First Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. In 1921, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was established, and it became an autonomous republic within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924.

Today, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic remains a discontiguous part of Azerbaijan, with its own elected legislature. It is the world's largest landlocked exclave and has a unique culture, history, and geography. The region has a rich archaeological heritage, with sites dating back to the Neolithic Age. It is also known for its majestic natural landmarks, such as Mount Kapudzhukh and İlandağ (Snake Mountain).

The region is the world's largest landlocked exclave

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is the world's largest landlocked exclave. It is a part of Azerbaijan but is separated from the rest of the country by a strip of Armenian land between 80 and 130km wide. This isolation has made it one of the most remote outposts of the former Soviet Union, and it remains relatively unknown, even within the Russian-speaking world.

Nakhchivan has a population of around 450,000 people and is bordered by Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. It has a unique culture and history, with influences from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran. The region is known for its clean cities, sustainable practices, and natural landmarks. It is also the site of a mausoleum that locals believe houses the tomb of the prophet Noah.

Historically, Nakhchivan was part of Armenia. It became a district of Azerbaijan during Soviet rule and has remained a discontiguous part of the country since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Despite sharing a border with Armenia and having a historically Armenian population, Armenia does not claim Nakhchivan as its territory. Instead, it has remained an undisputed part of Azerbaijan, although tensions along the border have increased in recent years.

Nakhchivan's isolation from the rest of Azerbaijan has shaped its development in significant ways. In the late 1980s, war broke out in the neighbouring enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the closure of all roads and railways connecting Nakhchivan to the rest of Azerbaijan and the USSR. This blockade led to the development of a strong sense of self-sufficiency among the region's residents, who began producing their own food and goods. Today, Nakhchivan remains economically autonomous, with a focus on sustainability and organic practices.

The region's clean and green image has been attributed to both the strong sense of national identity and volunteerism that emerged during the blockade and strong-armed governmental tactics. According to a report by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, public-sector employees are expected to volunteer their time to clean the streets and plant trees on their days off. Refusal to participate in these activities can result in repercussions such as forced resignation from state jobs.

Azerbaijan's relations with Iran have been strained since its victory in the 2020 war with Armenia

Azerbaijan has accused Iran of tacitly supporting Armenia during the 2020 war, alleging that Iranian forces crossed into its territory, disrupted military advances, and provided Armenia with information on Azerbaijani troop movements. Iran denies these accusations, stating that it supports Azerbaijan's "territorial integrity" and has sought to make peace in the Karabakh region. Despite this, Azerbaijani media outlets and officials continue to assert Iranian involvement in the conflict, claiming that Iran is concerned about the potential for uprisings among its Azerbaijani minority.

The dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a significant source of tension between the two countries. Iran has supplied arms to Armenia and maintained a diplomatic presence in the disputed territory, which Azerbaijan considers a threat to its security and independence. Additionally, Iran's cooperation with Armenia during the first Nagorno-Karabakh War (1992-1994) and its support for Armenia during the 2020 conflict have further strained relations with Azerbaijan.

Another point of contention is Azerbaijan's growing relationship with Israel. Iran, which has hostile relations with Israel, views the strengthening ties between Azerbaijan and Israel as a national security threat. Tehran has warned Baku against developing closer relations with Tel Aviv, and Iranian politicians have criticised Azerbaijan's alignment with Israel and other Western countries. In contrast, Azerbaijan is sceptical of Iran's theocratic government and has instead sought strategic partnerships with countries like Turkey.

The two countries also have conflicting interests in the South Caucasus region. Iran seeks to maintain its influence and transit links in the area, while Azerbaijan, along with Turkey, aims to establish a "Zangezur corridor" between its exclave, Nakhchivan, and the Azerbaijani mainland. This corridor would reduce Azerbaijan's dependence on Iran as a transit route to Nakhchivan and challenge Iran's position in the region.

Incidents such as the January 2023 attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, which Azerbaijan attributed to state terror by Iran, have further escalated tensions. The arrest of suspected Iranian agents in Azerbaijan and the expulsion of Iranian diplomats have contributed to the deterioration of relations. Despite the complex dynamics and ongoing disputes, there have been periods of de-escalation, and both countries maintain diplomatic channels through their respective embassies and consulates.

Azerbaijan's relationship with Iran is further complicated by the potential realisation of the Zangezur overland transport corridor

Azerbaijan's relationship with Iran is a complex one, and the potential realisation of the Zangezur overland transport corridor further complicates this dynamic. The Zangezur Corridor is a proposed transport link between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region, a western exclave of Azerbaijan that is separated from the rest of the country by Armenian territory. This corridor, if realised, would have significant implications for the region, and its potential impact on Iran's relationship with Azerbaijan is a key consideration.

The Zangezur Corridor project has been a source of tension between Azerbaijan and Iran. While Azerbaijan strongly advocates for the corridor's opening, citing economic benefits for all parties involved, Iran has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the project. The primary concern for Iran is the potential loss of its common border with Armenia, which could challenge its regional influence and pose a threat to its national security. Additionally, Iran fears the loss of its alternative route to Europe and the diminution of its transit importance. The east-west corridor from Zangezur, connecting China to Europe, would also challenge Iran's geostrategic advantages.

Despite Iran's opposition, there are differing viewpoints within the country. Some Iranian politicians recognise the potential benefits of the corridor, including increased trade and political integration. Furthermore, Iran has a history of supporting the connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, even during the blockade in the late 1980s. However, the potential loss of Iran's border with Armenia remains a significant concern for Tehran, and some Iranian officials have termed the creation of the Zangezur Corridor as a "red line" for the Islamic Republic.

The Zangezur Corridor project is part of a larger geopolitical initiative to connect Europe and Central Asia through Azerbaijan and Turkey. This project has been introduced to NATO's "Turan Corridor," which aims to connect NATO to the northern border of Iran, the southern border of Russia, and western China. While Russia and Turkey have found common ground in supporting the opening of the corridor, despite their differences over Ukraine, the project has the potential to further strain Azerbaijan's relationship with Iran.

The realisation of the Zangezur Corridor would have significant implications for the region's geopolitical dynamics. While it would enhance Azerbaijan's connectivity and provide economic benefits, it could also lead to a shift in power dynamics and influence. The potential loss of Iran's border with Armenia and the resulting changes in transit routes could have far-reaching consequences for the region's relationships and power structures.

Azerbaijan has a history of human rights abuses, including unlawful killings, torture, and cruel treatment of prisoners

The US State Department's 2020 report on Azerbaijan highlights significant human rights issues, including political prisoners, corruption, violence against journalists, and blocking of websites. The report also notes that the Azerbaijani government did not prosecute or punish officials who committed human rights abuses, and that impunity remained a problem.

There have been numerous reports and instances of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by members of the security forces. For example, in 2020, Muslim Unity Movement members Mail Karimov and Suleyman Alakbarov claimed they were physically beaten, threatened with rape, and filmed while attending a court hearing. Another MUM member, Elgiz Mammadov, stated that after being detained for a month, he was repeatedly beaten, sexually assaulted, and raped by police officers.

Azerbaijan has also been accused of unlawful and arbitrary killings, particularly during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. There were credible reports of summary executions of Armenian soldiers in Azerbaijani custody, as well as civilian casualties and inhumane treatment. Amnesty International reported that during the conflict, older people were "unlawfully killed, tortured, and forcibly displaced" by Azerbaijani forces.

The treatment of prisoners in Azerbaijan has also been called into question. Prison conditions have been described as harsh and potentially life-threatening due to issues such as overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, deficient heating, ventilation, and sanitation, and poor medical care. There have also been reports of prisoners being punished with beatings and being placed in solitary confinement.

Azerbaijan's human rights record has been scrutinised by various international bodies, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. Despite some progress and the release of political prisoners, human rights abuses persist in the country, and there is a perception that the government fails to adequately address these issues.

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