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Image source,EPA / NKR DEFENSE ARMY
A tank burned.
There have been territorial disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan for many years, and the most serious conflict in recent years broke out again recently.
The two countries of the former Soviet Union fought in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Sunday (September 27) and at least 23 people were killed. The area is considered as Azerbaijani territory internationally, but it is controlled by the Armenians.
When war broke out in the early 1990s, thousands of people were killed in the fighting.
Image source,EPA / NKR DEFENSE ARMY
District authorities released images showing the damage caused by the conflict.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday that he is confident of regaining control of the region.
Martial law was declared in certain areas of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The conflict in the Caucasus Mountains has not been resolved in the last 30 years and conflicts will arise from time to time.
The July border conflict killed at least 16 people and triggered the largest demonstration in years in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, calling for the reconquest of the area.
The emergence of violent conflict can make the market turbulent, because the South Caucasus is a corridor that transports oil and gas from the Caspian Sea to the world market.
Turkish President Erdogan pledged to support Azerbaijan and urged countries around the world to join Azerbaijan and carry out “opposition to the invasion and cruel treatment.” Azerbaijanis are mainly of Turkish origin and have close ties to Turkey.
Russia, traditionally seen as an ally of Armenia, called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to stabilize the situation.
The president of the United States, Trump, declared that the United States seeks to stop the violence. France, which has a large Armenian community, called for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his “extreme concern” and called on both sides to stop fighting. Iran, which borders Azerbaijan and Armenia, is ready to help the two sides carry out peace talks.
Image source,Reuters / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
Someone was injured.
Will Turkey’s support add fuel to the fire?
BBC correspondent in the Caucasus Rayhan Demytrie
The heavy weapons fighting on the control line on Sunday was the most serious escalation in recent years.
In this decades-long conflict, the two sides generally blame each other for shooting. What we see is not only military operations, but also information warfare, but it is difficult for the outside world to independently verify official information.
Azerbaijan claimed to have “liberated” the territory controlled by the Armenians, but the Armenian authorities denied it. Similarly, Baku also rejected Armenia’s claim that it caused significant damage to the Azerbaijani army. In addition, the Azerbaijani authorities have restricted Internet use within the country, particularly restricted access to social media.
Strong support from Turkey can inspire Azerbaijan. As early as August, the Azerbaijani Defense Minister declared that the country will fulfill its “sacred duty” with the help of the Turkish army, that is, it will regain its lost territory.
Image source,EPA / ARMENIA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE PRESS SERVICE
A tank went off.
How did the fighting spread?
The Armenian Defense Ministry stated that the attack on civilian settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the regional capital of Stepanakert, began on Sunday morning.
Separatist authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said 18 people were killed, including 16 soldiers, a woman and a child, and 100 others were injured.
Azerbaijan stated that five members of a family were killed by the Armenian bombings.
The Armenian government declared martial law and fully mobilized the army, and the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities also made similar announcements.
Image source,Reuters
The Armenian authorities asked people to join the army.
Martial law is an emergency measure under which the military will assume the power and functions of the civil government.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of “planned aggression” and emphasized that “we are prepared to defend our sacred homeland.”
He warned that the region was on the brink of a “full-scale war” and urged the international community to unite and prevent further unrest.
Armenia said it shot down two helicopters and three drones and destroyed three tanks in Sunday’s clashes.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry confirmed the loss of a helicopter, but claimed that the crew had survived and reported that 12 Armenian air defense systems had been destroyed, denying the alleged other Armenian losses.
Azerbaijani President Aliyev said he ordered a large-scale counteroffensive against the Armenian army.
He said: “I believe that our successful counteroffensive will end the injustice and occupation of 30 years.”
Image source,Reuters
Azerbaijan publicly mourned those who died in the conflict.
After the Armenian military initially denied it, the unrecognized President Arayik Harutyunyan of Nagorno Karabakh confirmed that the Azerbaijani army had taken some positions.
The Nagorno-Karabakh mountainous area covers an area of approximately 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles). It is traditionally inhabited by Armenian Christians and Muslim Turks. During the Soviet period, it became an autonomous region within the Republic of Azerbaijan. Currently, the international community considers it Azerbaijan. Part, but the majority of the population is Armenian.
An estimated 1 million people were displaced in the wars of the 1990s and some 30,000 died. Separatist forces occupied additional territory around the Azerbaijani enclave in the wars of the 1990s. Since the ceasefire in 1994, the stalemate has remained. State, Russia has always been considered an ally of the Armenians.
