Armenian border areas and Karabakh: HIGH
Travel to Karabakh and to border regions with Armenia should be avoided due to the residual risks associated with the conflict.
Azerbaijan has re-established full control over Karabakh, almost all of the ethnic Armenian population has left and there is no longer active conflict. However, there is still a large amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the region. Strict entry and exit procedures are also enforced by the authorities. Official permission is required to visit the region and visitors can only stay in specific locations. Due to these complexities, we continue to assess the region to be HIGH risk.
Several sections of the international border with Azerbaijan remain undemarcated, fuelling bilateral tensions. The frontier is heavily militarised on both sides. While a peace plan signed in August 2025 provides a blueprint for normalisation, cross-border shooting and clashes occur periodically. Tangible progress towards a full peace agreement is required to reduce the risk of further cross-border clashes or an escalation to large-scale direct confrontations.