// September Exodus //

The Journey of over 100,000 forcibly displaced people

What happens when over 100,000 people are forcibly displaced from their homeland and have to abruptly move, only a few bags of personal possessions and the clothes on their back. Men, women, children, the elderly, many who have experienced the same fate countless times in their past living like a gypsy.

After living for over 9 months under a blockade, on September 19th at approximately 13:00, Azerbaijan began a new military offensive to retake what was left of Nagorno-Karabakh. The capital of Yerevan became filled with a profusion of emotions ranging from anger, frustration, helplessness, and sadness, intertwined with days of demonstrations throughout the city, civil disobedience, and clashes with the police.

On September 24th, just 5 days after Azerbaijan launched a military offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh the exodus began, first crossing the Lachin corridor into Armenia, considered to be a humanitarian corridor or "lifeline." Countless of stories from those who had been traveling for up to 4 days in the cold, rain and wind with little to eat and drink, limited to no contact with those who were fighting on the front lines or lost in the gas explosion outside of the capital of Stepanakert.

The story does not end here, it’s only the beginning of a humanitarian catastrophe inside a small developing country.

The photo series intent is to visually document the mass migration of over 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh also known as Artsakh.

Yerevan, Armenia. 19 September 2023 the first wave of demonstrations begins.

Yerevan, Armenia. 19 September 2023 the moment the first bottle of water was thrown at police leading to the first clash.

Yerevan, Armenia. 19 September 2023, other and son embrace amidst the chaos erupting around them.

Yerevan, Armenia. 19 September 2023 the crowd attempts to help the mothers son who fainted.

Yerevan, Armenia. 19 September 2023 the first sound grenade ordnance is used.

Yerevan, Armenia. 20 September 2023 citizens begin to gather in front of the government building in Republic Square, what is become a flash point.

Yerevan, Armenia. 20 September 2023 clashes with the police erupt for a second night in a row in front of the government building.

Yerevan, Armenia. 20 September 2023 police reinforce the ranks with more shields and protective gear.

Yerevan, Armenia. 20 September 2023 injured police officer is escorted to safety.

Yerevan, Armenia. 21 September citizens attempt to block main streets within the city.

Yerevan, Armenia. 21 September 2023 the aftermath of the government building in Republic Square after 2 nights of clashes with the police.

Yerevan, Armenia. 21 September 2023 police gear up in anticipation for a 3rd night of clashes.

Yerevan, Armenia. 23 September pro western protest march in Yerevan takes place.

At approximately 13:00 on September 19th Azerbaijan launched an attack on Nagorno Karabakh, something many have been anticipating in coorrelation with the military buildup along the border. Shortly after citizens in Yerevan began to gather in Republic Square filled with a mix of emotions.

It’s just the beginning of the mass migration of tens of thousands of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia.