Azerbaijan

Nagorno Karabakh: At Peace on a War Footing

Timo Vogt May 15, 2012
Girls hand out tulips during a celebration to commemorate the capture of Shusha, called Shushi within Karabakh and Armenia. Girls hand out tulips during a celebration to commemorate the capture of Shusha, called Shushi within Karabakh and Armenia.
Soldiers patrol the frontline trenches several hundred meters from Azerbaijani troops. Soldiers patrol the frontline trenches several hundred meters from Azerbaijani troops.
A grocery store owner waits for customers. A grocery store owner waits for customers.
On May 12, 1994, a ceasefire stopped the main fighting, but exchange of gunfire sporadically breaks out. On May 12, 1994, a ceasefire stopped the main fighting, but exchange of gunfire sporadically breaks out.
The former ethnic Azeri village of Agdam remains destroyed and deserted. The former ethnic Azeri village of Agdam remains destroyed and deserted.
A priest holds service in a church. A priest holds service in a church.
Women walk along the streets of Shusha. Women walk along the streets of Shusha.
Bakers take a late-night break. Bakers take a late-night break.
A female volunteer digs a new frontline trench for Nagorno Karabakhi soldiers. A female volunteer digs a new frontline trench for Nagorno Karabakhi soldiers.
Teachers meet with the director at a public school. Teachers meet with the director at a public school.
Fog cloaks a cemetery near the Gandzasar monastery. Fog cloaks a cemetery near the Gandzasar monastery.
Armenian President Sargsyan visits the Ghazanchetots Cathedral with Bako Sahakyan, the de-facto president of Nagorno Karabakh. Armenian President Sargsyan visits the Ghazanchetots Cathedral with Bako Sahakyan, the de-facto president of Nagorno Karabakh.
Much of the Soviet-era housing is falling into ruins. Much of the Soviet-era housing is falling into ruins.
A girl dressed in a traditional costume dances to folk music. A girl dressed in a traditional costume dances to folk music.
The presence of military vehicles and troops is evident throughout the breakaway region. The presence of military vehicles and troops is evident throughout the breakaway region.
De-miners take a break from searching for unexploded ordinance. De-miners take a break from searching for unexploded ordinance.
A boy walks past a war-damaged home near Shusha. A boy walks past a war-damaged home near Shusha.
Tanks are loaded onto a carrier near the frontline with Azerbaijan. Tanks are loaded onto a carrier near the frontline with Azerbaijan.
Customers help a butcher split an animal carcass. Customers help a butcher split an animal carcass.
A woman awaits guests at her home on a Sunday afternoon. A woman awaits guests at her home on a Sunday afternoon.
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A ceasefire 18 years ago this month brought a halt to the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. But with the battle over the disputed territory’s fate dragging on, residents must contend with a persistent enemy in their midst – uncertainty.

These images, taken by photographer Timo Vogt, illustrate the struggle for Karabakh residents, who are trying to retain a sense of hope and find a measure of prosperity, while banishing feelings of insecurity.

The hot-phase of the Karabakh conflict, fought mainly between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, began in late 1992. By early 1994, Armenian troops were in control of not only Karabakh, but of large swathes of Azerbaijani territory surrounding the enclave. Offensive military operations ended May 16, 1994, when representatives of the opposing sides signed a ceasefire agreement in Moscow.

Eighteen years of frustration have ensued. Negotiations on a peace settlement, held under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation’s Minsk Group, are stalemated. Meanwhile, Armenian and Azerbaijani troops still snipe at each other along the ceasefire line, and Karabakh society continues to operate under war-time conditions.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has devoted a significant portion of its windfall profits from energy exports to funding an arms buildup. Most experts doubt that Baku is intent on resuming the war in the near future. But Azerbaijan’s longer-term intentions are more difficult to discern. The longer peace negotiations remain at an impasse, the possibility of another bout of all-out warfare seems to grow.

Timo Vogt is a freelance photojournalist based in Germany.

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