Authorities of the self-proclaimed independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) reported that the state will cease to exist on Jan. 1, 2024.
The unrecognized nation’s President Samvel Shajramanián signed a decree of dissolution which will dismantle all public institutions before the stipulated date. The decree, which wad reported by Armenian media, stated:
All state bodies and organizations dependent on them must be dissolved by January 1, 2024, and the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) republic ceases to exist.
The document reported that Azerbaijan will authorize the "free, voluntary and unhindered movement" of residents of the region.
Nagorno-Karabakh: Azeri invasion forces new exodus of Armenians
The exodus of Armenians from the territory began shortly after the Republic of Artsakh's armed forces surrendered to the Azerbaijani offensive, which ended independent rule in the region. This forced a mass exodus of ethnic Armenian civilians fleeing reprisals and ethnic violence.
According to international observers, tens of thousands of Artsakhs left the region in a caravan of cars crossing the mountainous enclave. According to data from the Armenian government, more than 50,000 civilians from the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh have fled since the beginning of this new exodus. Ethnic Armenian civilians escaped from the Artsakh enclave, which had very limited international recognition.
