Armenia: Protesters storm government buildings in Yerevan over peace deal November 10

Event

Thousands of protesters gathered in Yerevan on Tuesday, November 10, to protest against a peace deal agreed overnight between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In the terms of the agreement, Armenia has been forced to cede control of certain areas to Azerbaijan. Soon after the announcement of the deal was made, thousands of people came out into Republic Square and gathered at government buildings across the capital to show their displeasure with the deal. Some protesters reportedly broke into the main government building and attempted to storm the prime minister's office.

Further protests over the issue are likely in the coming hours and days and could lead to clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Context

The latest round of hostilities erupted on September 27, when Azerbaijani forces reportedly carried out strikes on settlements in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the regional capital Stepanakert. Following retaliatory attacks by separatist forces, Azerbaijan launched what it claimed to be a 'counter-offensive' in response. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan made extensive use of heavy weapons during the clashes, including artillery and loitering munitions, and released footage claiming to show the destruction of enemy armored vehicles and installations. A state of war, martial law, and mobilization were declared in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Over 1000 people, including civilians, have been killed since the renewed outbreak of hostilities. In addition to fighting along the Line of Contact, cities in Nagorno-Karabakh and outside of the conflict zone have been targeted in artillery strikes including Stepanakert, Ganja, Barda, Beylagan, Terter, and Mingecevir.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the fighting have been ongoing, but previous ceasefire agreements have been shortlived and both sides have accused each other of violating the agreements. On Saturday, October 17, Azeri authorities stated that at least 12 people had been killed and 40 others wounded in rocket strikes which targeted the city of Ganja despite an agreed cessation of hostilities. 

Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan have a long-standing dispute over the possession of Nagorno-Karabakh, home to some 150,000 inhabitants (mostly ethnic Armenians) and located in the west of Azerbaijan. This issue has fuelled tensions between the two countries since 1988; with some 30,000 people being killed in fighting from 1990 to 1994. The two countries declared another ceasefire in April 2016 after the region experienced four days of violent clashes that left hundreds dead. Tensions between the two countries remain high and each side frequently accuses the other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Advice

Those in Yerevan are advised to monitor the situation, avoid any demonstrations and large gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.