Nagorno-Karabakh Government Announces Dissolution, Ceasing Existence in 2024

The leader of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has signed a decree to dissolve the breakaway state on January 1, confirming its surrender to Azerbaijan after a failed 32-year quest for independence. Following a lightning military offensive by Azerbaijan, the government of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to dismantle its armed forces. This has led to an exodus of ethnic Armenian residents who fear genocide and are unwilling to live under Azerbaijani rule. More than half of the region's residents have already crossed the border to Armenia, and it is believed that the entire population will leave. Prominent members of the Nagorno-Karabakh government have been arrested or surrendered to the Azerbaijani government.