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Image posted, EPA
The Nagorno-Karabakh region is experiencing the worst violence in many years
Azerbaijan and Armenia have defied calls for a ceasefire in light of the worst fighting between the two countries in decades over a disputed region.
In a joint statement, the United States, France and Russia condemned the hostilities taking place in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the southern Caucasus.
However, Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, has also rejected demands for a ceasefire.
Nagorno-Karabakh is officially within the territory of Azerbaijan, but it is ruled by Armenian separatists and years of negotiations have not resulted in the conclusion of a peace treaty.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war in the region during the period from 1988 to 1994. Armenia supports the self-proclaimed republic, but has not officially recognized it.
Heavy fighting on the ground continued for the fifth day in a row despite growing international concern.
The recent escalation is reported to have killed about 100 people and injured hundreds.
The Armenian government said, in the early hours of Friday according to local time, that it had shot down several drones belonging to Azerbaijan, including one that was “very close” to the capital, Yerevan.
What do the international powers say?
The Russian presidents Vladimir Putin, the French Emmanuel Macron and the American Donald Trump, in their joint statement, called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities.”
The statement added: “We also call on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to commit to immediately resume negotiations on a good faith agreement without preconditions.”
The call from the three leaders came as co-chairs of the Minsk group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was established in the early 1990s in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. .
Russia is part of a military alliance with Armenia and has a military base in the country, although it also has close relations with the government of Azerbaijan.
However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected these efforts. He said that a ceasefire is only possible if Armenia ends its “occupation” of Azerbaijani lands.
He added: “Given that the United States, Russia and France have neglected this problem for some 30 years, it is unacceptable that they participate in the quest for a ceasefire.”
On Thursday, French President Macron accused Turkey of sending Syrian jihadists to fight in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“It is a very dangerous new fact that has changed the situation,” he said.
BBC Arabic had spoken earlier this week with a man who said he had been recruited from northern Syria and sent through Turkey to fight the conflict.
Abdullah, a pseudonym, said he was sent to Nagorno Karabakh “wearing Azerbaijani uniform” immediately after the fighting broke out.
Turkey and Azerbaijan deny reports that Ankara has sent fighters.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that some 900 Syrian mercenaries were transferred to Azerbaijan by Turkish security companies.
The Observatory added that the fighters of Armenian origin in Syria were also transferred to Armenia to participate in the fighting.
In a new development, Armenia has convened its ambassador to Israel to consult on allegations that Israel is selling weapons to Azerbaijan that are used in the conflict.
What is happening on Earth?
The heavy bombardment continued on Thursday, with each side claiming damage to the other.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said it launched “crushing artillery strikes against Armenian forces” throughout the night.
Meanwhile, Nagorno Karabakh officials said the situation was “tense” and there was an exchange of gunfire.
They added in a statement: “The enemy tried to rally its forces, but the Armenian forces responded to all these efforts.”
Agence France-Presse reported that piles of garbage and broken glass can be seen in the town of Martoni, about 20 km from the front line.
A 54-year-old city resident sheltering in his basement told the agency: “I built this house with my own hands. I’m not going anywhere, that’s all.”
Two French journalists working for the French newspaper “Le Monde” were also injured during the bombing of the town of Martoni.
On Wednesday, Azerbaijan released images of what it said had destroyed two “enemy” tanks and said that an Armenian battalion had fled the area around Tonashin.
Armenian media said three civilians were killed in an airstrike launched by Azerbaijan against the city of Martakert on Wednesday.
The official Armenian news agency “Armenpress” said that seven civilians and 80 soldiers had died since the outbreak of the fighting.
The Armenian Defense Ministry also released a photo of an Armenian Sukhoi Su-25 that it said was shot down by a Turkish F-16 on Tuesday. Turkey denied the accusations and described them as “cheap propaganda”.
Fast facts about Nagorno-Karabakh
- A mountainous area of approximately 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles).
- It is inhabited by Armenian Christians and Muslim Turks.
- It became an autonomous region within the Republic of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era.
- It is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but most of its inhabitants are of Armenian origin.
- Unilaterally declared powers are not recognized by UN member states, including Armenia itself.
- Approximately one million people were displaced by the war during the period from 1988 to 1994, which resulted in 30,000 deaths.
- Separatist forces captured some additional territories around the enclave in Azerbaijan.
- There has been a stalemate in large part since the 1994 ceasefire.
- Turkey openly supports Azerbaijan.
- Russia has a military base in Armenia.
