27th September 2020 from my perspective

On this day one year ago the Second Karabakh War has started. On this occasion, today I will share with You my memories of that special day and present my personal point of view on what was happening then.

Introduction

Caucasus has never been a quiet region and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hasn`t started in 1988, but many centuries before. The main guilty was Russia, which politics were aimed to make peripherial nations argue and hate each other. Resettlement of Armenians to Karabakh combined with expelling Muslims, mostly Azerbaijanis out of their homes and cunning propaganda resulted in conflict, which seemed to be impossible to solve.

Anti-Muslim attitude of tsarist Russia became a tragedy for many nations colonialised by the regime. On the other hand, Christians have been given privileges, sometimes at cost of non-Christian nations. Actions aimed at simgle nations have been continued by the Soviet government. Have you ever heard about the Kazakh Famine? If not, read this article: https://www.rferl.org/a/A_Tragedy_Kazakhstan_Must_Never_Forget/1357455.html

Russians managed to fulfill their goal: they made Azerbaijanis and Armenians strong enemies, fighting with each other. They have supported the side they wanted to, depending on a whim of the then authority. Karabakh problem has not been solved and it ended up in 90s with tragedy for Azerbaijan - Khojaly massacre, one million of IDPs (internally displaced persons) and occupation of 20% of their country. At least, they haven`t lost their hope, what is I appreciate the most.

Azerbaijani IDPs from Karabakh, source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Refugees_in_Azerbaijan

On the eve of war

I remember that some clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers started about three months before the war. I was going to defend my bachelor`s thesis about Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from Azerbaijani perspective - I`ve prepared to unknown as my defense was going to be online and I literally had no idea how would it look like. I`ve always imagined sitting in front of committee including three people, one of them had to be my supervisor. And some day, my father called me if I have heard about some military activity in the region. I felt that my work will soon be outdated and I was right. But let the story go step by step.

Map of occupied territories (marked, inside Nagorno-Karabakh), source: https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijanis-displaced-by-war-seek-to-keep-memories-alive

I have defended my thesis when the situation was becoming more and more blurred. Karabakh was a mystery; fortunately none of committee members asked me about the current situation or future forecasts - probably they have all realised that any of options could be possible and turn into reality on the next day. After that, I`ve started browsing Internet in order to find some relevant information, what wasn`t easy because of chaos and fake news everywhere.

The clashes intensified and world opinion started to worry about possible excalation of this regional conflict. It was so unpredictable, that there were some voices it will end up as World War 3. Fortunately, the conflict started and ended in the same place without any reflections or creation of a chain of other conflicts.

Source: https://gulfif.org/iran-and-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-preserving-the-status-quo/

27th September

I find this day as both tragedy and the beginning of hope. Tragedy, because war means losses, both human and cultural. Hope, because I finally saw a chance for Azerbaijanis to fight their lands back and make refugees see their homes once again, finally, after 30 years. The question was only about the price.

IDPs in Azerbaijan, source: https://reliefweb.int/map/azerbaijan/internal-displacement-azerbaijan-april-2008

I am unable to explain why, but all the time I had a feeling, some kind of intuition, that Azerbaijan will win the war. Maybe because I`ve seen and compared the weapons catalogue of both countries - tanks are helpless in front of drones. I have seen a lot of Armenian propaganda bursting out from every corner - the thing which sadenned me was lack of neutral position of Polish media. Examples?

Map of military progress of Azerbaijani troops, source: https://fmes-france.org/produit/nagorno-karabakh-a-new-turkish-front-against-russia-by-pierre-razoux/

We are not engaged into this conflict, it doesn`t hurt any of our interests so why to the studio of Polish state TV has been invited only an Armenian woman and journalists listened to her as she was at least the Pope? Why any Azerbaijani has not been present there? Moreover, this woman used her two minutes for discrediting Azerbaijani nation and misleading the viewers at some points. The same has happened in local media: https://szczecinek.com/artykul/walka-o-gorski-karabach/1087286

What have I done?

Nevertheless, I didn`t gave up. I was looking for truth in every available sources. I had an access to the Internet, one of the best libraries in Poland and I was fresh after deepening my knowledge about Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Using the methods and informations gained during studying at the faculty of Law, I have prepared this article, explaining the conflict`s historical background and situation due to international law + gave the instruction for the Readers of what they should be aware:

https://mjagodzinska46.wixsite.com/azeblog/post/o-co-chodzi-z-tym-gorskim-karabachem

I had no problem in showing my point of view and support for Azerbaijan in front of the public. Of course, I have paid some kind of "price" in social media - Armenians commenting or writing DMs with vulgar words, threatening they will harm me etc. etc. Also some Christians (I don`t remember, Serbians probably) wrote to me racist DMs about Turks and Muslims. Okay, you may not like Turkey, but respect others` point of view.

Celebration time, source: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/euphoric-azerbaijanis-celebrate-victorious-nagorno-karabakh-peace-deal/news

I have been accused that Azerbaijan pays me for spreading some information or showing my support, what is completely false. Everything I did, I did by myself. My blog has not been set by someone - it`s my own idea and I write here what I want. The same refers to my social media accounts. That is me who has chosen her way and nobody decided or had some influence on my decision.

But I didn`t stop. I wanted the truth to be revealed and shown to as much people as possible. What a single person can do? Depends on how much effort you put in your work. Protip: if you do believe in something, it becomes reality and gives you unexpected surprises as an addition. Mine were: thankfulness of Azerbaijanis who wrote warm words to me, choosing the masters thesis and an award from the Diaspora - photo below.

Summary

Because of this conflict, I have met many interesting people and I can say that it has shaped my present and future in some ways. Nagorno-Karabakh determinates me somehow - that is why I have personally experienced the 44-day war. I, as a Pole, understand Azerbaijanis well, looking at some parts of history of our countries, we could easily find many similarities. Maybe it`s time to strengthen the bonds between us and get rid of senseless and harmful prejudices (like we see below)? Yes, this is also the aim of my blog.

2017, meeting of presidents Andrzej Duda & Ilham Aliyev, source: https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Ilham-Aliyev-and-Andrzej-Duda-open-Azerbaijan-Poland-business-forum-in-Warsaw.html