Nagorno-Karabakh: War and Aftermath

By Anush Babajanyan

The Nagorno-Karabakh war with Azerbaijan began on September 27, 2020. It escalated from the frontlines to populated towns and villages and ended on November 10, 2020.

Being Armenian, I found myself in a situation of documenting and experiencing the events on a personal level. I live in Yerevan, five hours away from the largest city of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert. I was there on September 30, without an assignment but with an overpowering feeling of responsibility to photograph. In the following days there was no longer a frontline; the conflict eventually covered the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The war ended with a ceasefire negotiated by Russia, and with Azerbaijan gaining control of a part of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions. Over 5,000 people died in this conflict on both sides. This story focuses on the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh, through a war and continuing uncertainty.

Part of a missile seen on a street in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Part of a missile seen on a street in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Anush Aleksanyan cries over the coffin that carries her son Erik Hovsepyan, 18, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh on December 19, 2020. Erik is buried for the second time, his coffin was transferred from Nagorno-Karabakh's Taghavard village to Stepanakert, as Taghavard came under Azerbaijan's control.
Anush Aleksanyan cries over the coffin that carries her son Erik Hovsepyan, 18, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh on December 19, 2020. Erik is buried for the second time, his coffin was transferred from Nagorno-Karabakh's Taghavard village to Stepanakert, as Taghavard came under Azerbaijan's control.
People carry their belongings out of a building damaged by a missile attack, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 3, 2020. The building was damaged on the previous day, October 2.
People carry their belongings out of a building damaged by a missile attack, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 3, 2020. The building was damaged on the previous day, October 2.
Families from Nagorno-Karabakh wait for busses to Stepanakert, in Yerevan, Armenia, on November 19, 2020. These families found refuge in Armenia during the days of the war and are now returning to their home towns and villages in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Families from Nagorno-Karabakh wait for busses to Stepanakert, in Yerevan, Armenia, on November 19, 2020. These families found refuge in Armenia during the days of the war and are now returning to their home towns and villages in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Residents of a five floor building hide in a shelter under their building, in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Residents of a five floor building hide in a shelter under their building, in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Five of the ten Babayan children in the living room of their home in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on December 19, 2020. The Babayan family returned to their home in Stepanakert a few days after the war ended.
Five of the ten Babayan children in the living room of their home in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on December 19, 2020. The Babayan family returned to their home in Stepanakert a few days after the war ended.
A woman looks at 31 candles she has lit for a missing soldier in Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. She notes that she lit as many candles as is his age. The cathedral was shelled twice on October 8, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
A woman looks at 31 candles she has lit for a missing soldier in Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 16, 2020. She notes that she lit as many candles as is his age. The cathedral was shelled twice on October 8, 2020. The town, which Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha, came under Azerbaijan's control by the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Kitchen in a house that was hit in Martuni, Nagorno-Karabakh, seen on October 1, 2020. The house was hit on September 27.
Kitchen in a house that was hit in Martuni, Nagorno-Karabakh, seen on October 1, 2020. The house was hit on September 27.
As explosions are heard in Stepanakert and its surrounding area, Movses Babayan, 3, sleeps at his home in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 2, 2020. The family has no bomb shelter, they hide under stairs on the first floor, where the child is sleeping.
As explosions are heard in Stepanakert and its surrounding area, Movses Babayan, 3, sleeps at his home in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 2, 2020. The family has no bomb shelter, they hide under stairs on the first floor, where the child is sleeping.
House set on fire by its owners, close to Dadivank Monastery in Kalbajar region, seen on November 14, 2020. Kalbajar is one of the regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, turned over to Azerbaijan as the Nagorno-Karabakh war ended. In numerous cases Armenians burned their houses in this region, in order for them not to be inhabited by people moving here from Azerbaijan.
House set on fire by its owners, close to Dadivank Monastery in Kalbajar region, seen on November 14, 2020. Kalbajar is one of the regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, turned over to Azerbaijan as the Nagorno-Karabakh war ended. In numerous cases Armenians burned their houses in this region, in order for them not to be inhabited by people moving here from Azerbaijan.
Yerablur Military Memorial Cemetery in Yerevan, Armenia on January 5, 2021.
Yerablur Military Memorial Cemetery in Yerevan, Armenia on January 5, 2021.
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