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Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) has expressed alarm at the escalation of the military conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the Caucasus. “I am alarmed by the news of new and massive clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan along all lines of the conflict,” Maas said. There are already reports of civilian casualties on both sides. “I call on both parties to the conflict to immediately stop all fighting and, in particular, the bombing of towns and cities,” Maas said.
The conflict over the Caucasus region can only be resolved through negotiations. Armenia and Azerbaijan must “stop the violent acts immediately and embark on substantial negotiations,” Maas said.
Climbing from the morning
In the morning, the Azerbaijani army began shelling the region, according to Armenian sources. Armenia immediately declared general mobilization and declared martial law. The escalation is the worst in decades.
According to official information from the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert, about ten Armenian soldiers were shot dead. Azerbaijan also announced that there were deaths and injuries in its own ranks.
At noon, the Azerbaijani government announced military successes: “We have liberated six villages, five in the Fisuli district and one in the Djebrail district,” a Defense Ministry spokesman told AFP. The two former Soviet republics have been fighting for Nagorno-Karabakh for decades. The region is located in Azerbaijan, but is controlled by Armenia.
De-escalation appeal
In addition to Maas, the EU and the Council of Europe also called for an immediate end to the fighting. “The European Union calls for an immediate end to the fighting, the reduction of the escalation and the strict monitoring of the ceasefire,” said the representative of EU Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric said both countries should act with restraint. “By joining the Council of Europe, both countries pledged to resolve the conflict by peaceful means, and this obligation must be strictly adhered to.” Pejcinovic Buric called on both parties to do everything in their power to protect human lives.
Turkey pledged its support to Azerbaijan. “We will support our Azerbaijani brothers with all our means in their fight to protect their territorial integrity,” said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. He accused Armenia of threatening peace and stability in the Caucasus with its “aggression”.
Completely impoverished Armenia relies on Russia as a protective power. A joint military maneuver with Moscow had just ended at the weekend. Azerbaijan had repeatedly announced that it would take back the Nagorno-Karabakh region with military force if necessary. The country had vastly improved its military in recent years.
Since 1994, the United States, France, and Russia have been trying to mediate the Minsk group started by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). At that time a ceasefire was agreed.
