MILITARY ACTIONS AND ECOGEOMORPHOLOGICAL THREAT IN GARABAGH

MILITARY ACTIONS AND ECOGEOMORPHOLOGICAL THREAT IN GARABAGH

T.R. Gurbanov, M.I. Yunusov

Institute of Geography PLE, Ministry of Science and Education, Baku, Azerbaijan

Email: museyib.yunusov@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59423/gnr.2026.26.17.001

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Abstract

The interaction between the natural environment and society has become increasingly complex. Anthropogenic impacts on relief accelerate relief-forming processes, while military actions lead to the disruption of ecological balance. In mountainous areas, slope processes such as landslides, rockfalls and scree are activated.

In Garabagh, vast areas are occupied by military fortifications. Trenches and ditches contribute to soil erosion, while forest destruction leads to surface washout. Military activities have resulted in the active transformation of relief and the formation of new anthropogenic landforms.

The scale of damage is significant, affecting more than 2 million hectares. There remain areas contaminated by mines and technogenic pollution. The study also highlights issues related to International Humanitarian Law. Armenia deliberately used various types of weapons in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and mineral resources were illegally exploited and exported.

Keywords

Garabagh, military actions, anthropogenic geomorphology, belligerative landscape, military weapons

Məqalə haqqında

Daxil olub: 16 yanvar 2025
Qəbul olunub: 20 noyabr 2025

References


Allahverdiyev, F.N. (2007) Erosion process in the foothill zone of Karabakh, soil damage, pollution, degradation as a result of military erosion. Baku, pp. 142 – 143.
Aliyev, A.A. (2021) Ecological problems of post-conflict areas. Geography of Karabakh and East Zangezur: natural-geographical conditions and socio-economic development potential. Baku, pp. 323-330.
Ismayilov, M.C., Zeynalova, S.M. (2022) The problems of Azerbaijan’s geoecology in the field of ecological warfare in Azerbaijan. The author of the article notes that the problems of Azerbaijan in the field of ecological warfare in Azerbaijan were solved. Ankara News Agency. pp. 252-272.
Azizov, Sh.K. (2009) Geoecology of Azerbaijan under the gun of Armenia’s aggressive policy: a brief assessment of the ongoing ecological war. Proceedings of the State Archives of Azerbaijan. Vol. XIII Baku, p. 756 – 761.
Alizade, E.K., Tarikhazer, S.A., Mamedov, S.G., Gamidova Z. (2017) Anthropogenic geomorphology of the Greater Caucasus. Baku. pp. 12 – 57.
Hasanov, T.G. Continuation of the occupation of Upper Garabagh depletes the natural resource base and aggravates the environmental situation. Coğrafiya Cəmiyyəti, BDU filialının əsərləri II.
Gurbanov, T.R. (2002) Geomorphology and the environment. Proc. scientific – practical. conf. Geographical society. Baku, pp. 90 – 91.
Huseynli, M.A. (2007) Definition of military geoecology as a complex science and its place in the system of sciences. Proceedings of the Civil Defense Union of Azerbaijan. T. XI Baku, pp. 361–365.
Ibragimov, V.B. (2000) Ecological security of Azerbaijan: counteracting external threats. News of "Earth Sciences", no. 3, pp. 96–104.
Kin, N.O., Strukov, R.O. (2021) Belligerative landscapes as a form of environmental risk. Steppe Studies Issues. no. 3.
Korobkin, V.K., Peredelsky, L.V. (2005) Ecology, Rostov-on-Don.
Rychagov, G.I. (2006) General geomorphology. M., Moscow State University Publishing House, ch. 21
Simonov, Yu.G., Simonov, T.Y. (2013) Fundamental problems of anthropogenic geomorphology. Geomorphology, No. 3, p. 3 – 11.
Tarikhazer, S.A. (2022) Ecogeomorphological consequences of military aggression on the territory of Garabakh. Coğrafiya və Təbii resurslar. Azerbaijan. Coğrafiya Cəmiyyətinin əsərləri, No. 1, səh. 57 – 65.

Citation

Gurbanov, T. R., & Yunusov, M. I. (2025). Military actions and ecogeomorphological threat in Garabagh. Geography and Natural Resources, 11(2), 3–7.

T.R. Gurbanov, M.I. Yunusov

Institute of Geography PLE, Ministry of Science and Education, Baku, Azerbaijan

museyib.yunusov@gmail.com

DOI: 10.59423/gnr.2026.26.17.001

Abstract

The interaction between the natural environment and society has become complicated. Anthropogenic impact on the relief accelerates relief-forming processes. Military actions lead to disruption of the ecological situation. In mountainous areas, slope processes (landslides, rockfalls, scree, etc.) are activated. In Garabagh, vast areas are occupied by military fortifications. Trenches and ditches cause soil erosion. Forest destruction leads to plane washout. Military actions have led to active transformation of the relief. New forms of anthropogenic relief have been created. The scale of damage (an area of more than 2 million hectares was affected) to the relief of Garabagh is great. There are still areas that have not been cleared of mines and have been subjected to man-made pollution. The current state of International Humanitarian Law is noted. Armenia purposefully used almost all types and kinds of weapons in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Minerals were exported from these territories

Keywords: Garabagh, military actions, anthropogenic geomorphology, beligerative landscape, military weapons

REFERENCES

  1. Allahverdiyev, F.N. (2007) Erosion process in the foothill zone of Karabakh, soil damage, pollution, degradation as a result of military erosion. Baku, pp. 142 – 143.
  2. Aliyev, A.A. (2021) Ecological problems of post-conflict areas. Geography of Karabakh and East Zan-gezur: natural-geographical conditions and socio-eco-nomic development potential. Baku, pp. 323-330.
  3. Ismayilov, M.C., Zeynalova, S.M. (2022) The problems of Azerbaijan’s geoecology in the field of ecological warfare in Azerbaijan. The author of the article notes that the problems of Azerbaijan in the field of ecological warfare in Azerbaijan were solved. Ankara News Agency. pp. 252-272.
  4. Azizov, Sh.K. (2009) Geoecology of Azerbaijan under the gun of Armenia’s aggressive policy: a brief assessment of the ongoing ecological war. Proceedings of the State Archives of Azerbaijan. Vol. XIII Baku, p. 756 – 761.
  5. Alizade, E.K., Tarikhazer, S.A., Mamedov, S.G., Gamidova Z. (2017) Anthropogenic geomorphology of the Greater Caucasus. Baku. pp. 12 – 57.
  6. Hasanov, T.G. Continuation of the occupation of Upper Garabagh depletes the natural resource base and aggravates the environmental situation. Coğrafiya Cəmiyyəti, BDU filialının əsərləri II.
  7. Gurbanov, T.R. (2002) Geomorphology and the environment. Proc. scientific – practical. conf. Geographical society. Baku, pp. 90 – 91.
  8. Huseynli, M.A. (2007) Definition of military geoecology as a complex science and its place in the system of sciences. Proceedings of the Civil Defense Union of Azerbaijan. T. XI Baku, pp. 361–365.
  9. Ibragimov, V.B. (2000) Ecological security of Azerbaijan: counteracting external threats. News of “Earth Sciences”, no. 3, pp. 96–104.
  10. Kin, N.O., Strukov, R.O. (2021) Belligerative landscapes as a form of environmental risk. Steppe Studies Issues. no. 3.
  11. Korobkin, V.K., Peredelsky, L.V. (2005) Ecology, Rostov-on-Don.
  12. Rychagov, G.I. (2006) General geomorphology. M., Moscow State University Publishing House, ch. 21
  13. Simonov, Yu.G., Simonov, T.Y. (2013) Fundamental problems of anthropogenic geomorphology. Geomorphology, No. 3, p. 3 – 11.
  14.  Tarikhazer, S.A. (2022) Ecogeomorphological consequences of military aggression on the territory of Garabakh. Coğrafiya və Təbii resurslar. Azerbaijan. Coğrafiya Cəmiyyətinin əsərləri, No. 1, səh. 57 – 65.

 

Accepted for publication: November 20, 2025

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T.R. Gurbanov, M.I. Yunusov – Military actions and ecogeomorphological threat in Garabagh. Geography and Natural Resources, №2 (24), 2025, pp. 3-7.