Understanding the First War Through the Historical Evidence

The First Nagorno-Karabakh War cannot be explained accurately through a single national narrative.

The Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh had a documented historical presence in the region, constituted the majority population of the Soviet autonomous oblast, and pursued political self-determination in the late Soviet period.

The anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait and Baku, Operation Ring, attacks on Armenian villages, and bombardment of Stepanakert created legitimate and profound fears about civilian security.

These events are essential to understanding why many Armenians viewed armed resistance as necessary.

At the same time, Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territorial integrity, the mass killing of Azerbaijani civilians at Khojaly, the displacement of Azerbaijani communities, and the seizure of districts beyond Nagorno-Karabakh are equally essential historical facts.

Armenian military success did not eliminate the rights of displaced Azerbaijani civilians.

Nor did Azerbaijan's sovereignty extinguish the human rights and security interests of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population.

A historically accurate account must also distinguish the actions of governments and armed formations from the responsibility of entire ethnic communities.

Collective blame is not a substitute for identifying particular decisions, operations, commanders, political authorities, and documented violations.

The war involved national movements, state collapse, military competition, and external intervention. But it was also the story of ordinary people whose lives were destroyed by decisions over which they had little control.