This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was a 44-day armed conflict that took place between 27 September and 10 November 2020 between Azerbaijan and Armenia, altering the geopolitical balance of the South Caucasus and reshaping the positions of regional powers. The territories of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani lands, which had remained under Armenian occupation since the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, were largely liberated during this conflict. This struggle is significant not only for its military and political dimensions but also for its implications in the fields of international law, human rights, regional security, and international relations.
Although the Karabakh region has historically belonged to Azerbaijan, a crisis emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, driven by Armenia’s claims to the region and its military interventions. This crisis culminated in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1992–1994), which ended in Armenia’s favor. Following this war, Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani districts were occupied. The occupation was condemned by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884; however, these resolutions were not implemented for years.
On the morning of 27 September 2020, the Armenian Armed Forces launched attacks on Azerbaijani military positions and civilian settlements along the front line; in response, Azerbaijan initiated the military operation named "Iron Fist." In the first days of the war, the Azerbaijani army liberated six villages and several strategic hills.
Throughout the war, Azerbaijan:
On 8 November 2020, the liberation of Shusha, a city of symbolic and strategic importance, changed the course of the war. On 10 November 2020, the war ended with the signing of a trilateral statement by Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia; Armenia agreed to withdraw from Agdam, Kelbajar and Lachin.
Türkiye provided strong political support to Azerbaijan from the outset of the war. President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly affirmed on international platforms that Azerbaijan has the right to defend its territorial integrity.
Under the "Strategic Partnership and Mutual Assistance Agreement" signed between Türkiye and Azerbaijan in 2010, Azerbaijan received:
Türkiye’s support, provided with Azerbaijan’s explicit consent and within a framework of cooperation, does not violate international law.
Azerbaijan’s use of its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter has been affirmed. Armenia committed war crimes by targeting not only military objectives but also civilian settlements such as Ganja and Barda.
Türkiye’s support for Azerbaijan, provided without direct military intervention and strictly within the framework of Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights, has been generally regarded by the international community as legitimate and balanced both during and after the conflict. Türkiye has also become one of the actors overseeing peace in the region through the Joint Monitoring Center established alongside Russia after the ceasefire.
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was not merely a territorial liberation campaign; it was a multidimensional struggle intertwining international law, geopolitical balance, military strategy, and diplomatic success. Azerbaijan established its sovereignty in accordance with international law, while Türkiye played an active role as a strategic ally throughout the process. The achievement of lasting peace in the region after the war depends on both Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts and Armenia’s constructive stance.
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020): Historical, Legal, and International Dimensions
Historical Background
Course of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
Türkiye’s Role
Political and Diplomatic Support
Military Support
Evaluation from the Perspective of International Law
Right to Self-Defense
War Crimes and Human Rights
Türkiye’s Position
