Serj Tankian performs new political song 'Artsakh'

System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian was so moved by the resilience of Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh during a four-day war in April that he wrote a passionate new political folk song, "Artsakh," in deference to them, Rollingstone.com reports.

The song voices support for the people of Artsakh – the Armenian name for the region – and protests what Tankian describes as Azeri aggression.

"These people have lived on those lands for thousands of years," the singer wrote in a statement. "They have struggle but also great beauty written on their foreheads. The whimsical appropriation of land by an empire (Stalin) placed them under Azerbaijan. They have since gained their independence and have lived a prosperous existence for the last 20 or so years. I do not believe in wars and ultimately borders but I deeply believe in self-determination and life without oppression. Therefore it is time for the world to recognize them as the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)."

Tankian made a video for the song, on which he sings and plays guitar, this past weekend.