War over Karabakh, political unrest

1992 - Hostilities develop into full-scale war over Karabakh. More than 600 Azerbaijanis are killed as they flee an Armenian attack on Karabakh town of Khodzhaly. Ethnic Armenian forces break through Azerbaijani territory to create a corridor linking Armenia to Karabakh, President Ayaz Mutallibov resigns. Abulfaz Elchibey, leader of nationalist People's Front, becomes president in Azerbaijan's first contested elections.

1993 - Armenia launches offensive into Azerbaijani territory around Karabakh.

Rebel army commander Col Surat Huseynov takes control of Azerbaijan's second city, Gyandzha, and marches on Baku. President Elchibey invites Aliyev to return to the capital and subsequently flees.

Aliyev assumes leadership. Huseynov becomes prime minister and is placed in charge of defence and security forces. Referendum indicates massive loss of public confidence in Elchibey. Aliyev wins presidential elections boycotted by Elchibey's People's Front.

1994 - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh sign a ceasefire accord. Ethnic Armenians remain in control of Karabakh and a swathe of Azerbaijani territory around it.

Aliyev cracks down hard on People's Front. Azeri forces mount Karabakh counteroffensive.

Nineteen people killed in two Baku underground station explosions described by authorities as terrorism.

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh sign a ceasefire. Ethnic Armenians remain in control of Karabakh and a swathe of Azerbaijani territory around it.

Three members of the special police force are arrested after the assassinations of the deputy head of parliament and Aliyev's security chief. Special police units led by Rovshan Javadov storm the Prosecutor's Office and their colleagues are released.

President Aliyev describes the incident as a coup attempt and declares a state of emergency. In a separate incident, rebel forces capture key buildings in second city Gyandzha but are driven out by Aliyev's forces.

Despite his denial of involvement in rebel activity, PM Huseynov is dismissed and flees to Russia.