What caused tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been primarily driven by the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, an area within Azerbaijan that historically had a predominantly Armenian population.1

The conflict originated in 1988 when ethnic Armenians in the region began agitating for the transfer of their autonomous oblast to Armenian jurisdiction, a demand strongly opposed by the Azerbaijan S.S.R. and the Soviet government. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the dispute escalated into full-scale war. Key factors contributing to the long-standing hostility include:12

• Territorial Control: After the first conflict (1988–94), Armenian forces gained control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories, leading to significant population displacement.12
• Political Aspirations: The self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence in 1992, an action Azerbaijan rejected as illegal under international law.13
• Escalation and Military Action: Tensions were further inflamed by periodic clashes, including a major conflict in 2020 and a final 2023 offensive by Azerbaijan that resulted in the region's return to Azerbaijani control and the mass exodus of its Armenian population.14

While peace negotiations have progressed, disputes remain regarding constitutional language and territorial claims.14