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GREAT DESTRUCTIONS: More than 100 have lost their lives so far in the clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Here from the Agdam area of Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: AZIZ KARIMOV / EPA
Two French and two Armenian journalists are injured in clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The parties defy calls for a ceasefire.
The four journalists are said to have been injured in the town of Martini on Thursday. The extent of the damage is not yet clear, writes Al Jazeera. French and Armenian journalists work for the Le Monde newspaper, an Armenian television channel, and for the Armenian 24News, respectively.
President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France is ready to evacuate the two French journalists.
– A medical plane is ready to take off. “We are doing everything possible to stabilize the wounded before they are evacuated,” he told reporters in Brussels on Thursday.
According to the Armenian ambassador to France, Hasmik Tolmajian, the two were seriously injured in an Azerbaijani attack on Martini in the Artsakh region, along with two Armenian journalists.
MANY INJURED: An Armenian soldier is transported on a stretcher after being injured after the clashes. Photo: Hakob Margaryan / FOTOLURA / FOTOLURA
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“Crushing attacks”
The fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues to devastate the region and the parties have defied calls for a ceasefire. At least a hundred people have died in the fighting and hundreds have been reported to have been injured.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claimed that the country’s forces had carried out “crushing attacks” against Armenian positions overnight, and similar messages came from the Armenian side.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron call for a complete cessation of fighting in the region.
The two presidents are willing to step up diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict, according to a statement from Moscow late Wednesday night.
The Nagorno-Karabakh enclave is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has been controlled by Armenian separatists since 1994. There have been several violent battles in the region.
The separatists, who also control large areas around the enclave, have the open support of Armenia, but the world community recognizes the region as part of Azerbaijan.
ROCKET: Remains of a rocket after the fighting in Ivanyan in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: VAHRAM BAGHDASARYAN / PHOTOLURE / X80002
Claims that foreign fighters are coming to the region
France and Russia claim that foreign fighters from Syria and Libya are flocking to Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkish mercenaries will also fight on the Azerbaijani side.
Warriors from illegal armed groups, including Syria and Libya, are now being sent to Nagorno-Karabakh to take part in the fighting, a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
– We are deeply concerned, he continued.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron followed up and declared that Syria’s jihadists are now in place in the controversial enclave, where they are fighting on the Azerbaijani side in the war against Armenia.
– This is a very serious development that changes the whole situation, says Macron.
Turkey rejected a demand for a ceasefire
Armenia on Thursday accused Turkey of sending mercenaries to the area, which is also claimed by the Syrian group in exile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
According to SOHR, there are about 300 soldiers brought from northern Syria. It is not clear what nationality they have or which Syrian rebel group they will belong to.
Turkey denies having supported Azerbaijan with troops, weapons and military equipment, but on Thursday President Tayyip Recep Erdogan rejected the demand for a ceasefire.
“A lasting ceasefire in this region depends on the Armenian withdrawal of every inch from Azerbaijani territory,” he said in a televised speech.
