Azerbaijan’s military forces have taken control of more than 60 military positions from the separatist Armenian armed forces in Karabakh after starting an attack on Tuesday, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense.
Anar Eyvazov, the spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense, stated in a news conference, ‘More than 60 Armenian (separatist) armed units are now under the control of our armed forces.’
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. However, the region is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, who are Christian, and has strong ties to the Armenian government. Conflict over control of this region flared in the early 1990s and again in 2020, with a ceasefire brokered by Russia.
On the other hand, for the past nine months, Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of blocking the Lachin Corridor, a connection route between Armenia and Karabakh. Azerbaijan has reported that they have initiated this campaign, including landmine explosions that resulted in the deaths of six people, including four police officers.
Karabakh authorities have reported that in this Azerbaijani campaign, five people have been killed, and several dozen others have been injured. Azerbaijan has stated that they are not targeting civilian populations but only military installations.
Meanwhile, a separatist Armenian activist claims that Azerbaijan’s campaign has resulted in 25 deaths and 138 injuries. Armenian separatists have vowed not to surrender, and Azerbaijan has announced that they have initiated an anti-separatist campaign in the region.
To facilitate the transfer of power and break the ‘illegal administration,’ Azerbaijan has issued instructions for the handover of weapons. Armenian separatists in Karabakh have called for an uprising, declaring their leader as a savior. Azerbaijan has indicated that negotiations may take place in Yerevanakh, a location located 100 kilometers north of Khan Kendir, the capital of Karabakh.
Support from Turkey On the other hand, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed support for Azerbaijan in the Karabakh campaign, stating that the country has the right to maintain the territorial integrity. He made these remarks while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Proposing Mediation in the Middle East Iran has called for mediation between Azerbaijan and Armenia in their conflict and has even offered to mediate the 2020 ceasefire agreement. Notably, Iran, like Russia, maintains good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
France and Germany, along with several other countries, have called on Azerbaijan to halt the war. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire by launching a military operation and has urged for an immediate cessation of military action. France has also declared this attack as unacceptable.
Furthermore, Russia has called on both Azerbaijan and Armenia to engage in direct negotiations and sit at the table for talks.
