400 Chapter 3
Participants: 365 Russia, 371 Armenia/373 Azerbaijan, 630 Iran, 640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: The Nagorno-Karabakh War was fought principally by Armenia and
Azerbaijan over control of the disputed territorial enclave, with both citing the
prevalence of co-ethnics to justify their claims. By December 30, 1991, thousands
of Azerbaijan troops were grouped at the border of the enclave, ready to strike at
Nagorno-Karabakh as ethnic fighting continued in the region. On January 27, 1992,
there was open fighting between Armenian and Azeri troops, with 60 fatalities
recorded in the first clashes. Initial actions in the conflict focused on Armenia trying
to secure access to the enclave—Armenia was dependent on a narrow mountain pass
that could be reached only by helicopter. The war reached a critical point in 1993
when Iran and Turkey both protested that its border security was compromised by
the intensified fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The fighting ultimately
ended in a stalemate in May 1994 that was brokered by the Commonwealth of Inde-
pendent States, and minor incidents followed until January 1995. The issue remains
unresolved to this day.
Coding changes: End Date changed from Missing. Outcome changed from Unclear.
Settlement changed from None.
MID#4318
Dispute Number: 4318
Date(s): March 8, 1995 to February 23, 1996
Participants: 371 Armenia/373 Azerbaijan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: This dispute describes almost one year of border clashes between Armenia
and Azerbaijan.
MID#4319
Dispute Number: 4319
Date(s): December 15, 1996 to May 14, 1997
Participants: 371 Armenia/373 Azerbaijan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: Fighting erupted again between Armenia and Azerbaijan over their dis-
puted border.
MID#4175
Dispute Number: 4175
Date(s): February 13, 1998 to October 1, 1999
Participants: 371 Armenia/373 Azerbaijan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)