The National Assembly of Azerbaijan took a decisive step by abolishing the autonomous status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. This move occurred during a tumultuous period in Azerbaijan's history, marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent rise of nationalistic fervor across former Soviet republics. The Assembly's decision to revoke Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomy aimed to assert Azerbaijan's claim over the region, which had a significant Armenian population and had been a point of contention for years.

In addition to abolishing the autonomous status, several cities within Nagorno-Karabakh were renamed to reflect Azeri linguistic and cultural influences. This renaming process symbolized a broader effort to solidify Azerbaijan's national identity in the face of external pressures and internal disputes. The legislation was part of a series of actions taken by the Azerbaijani government to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst the changing political landscape following the Soviet Union's collapse.

The decision was met with hostility from the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, contributing to escalating tensions that would eventually lead to armed conflict. This legislative act not only had immediate effects in the region but also set the stage for the protracted and violent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that would unfold in the following years, significantly impacting the geopolitics of the South Caucasus.