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The conflict between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan has flared up again in recent months. Earlier this summer, 16 people died over a ten-day period along the border between the countries. Both countries later claimed that the other side had caused the clashes.
Sunday morning he took the conflict is accelerating again. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the neighboring country of targeting civilian settlements in the Nagpano-Karabakh capital, Stepanakert. Therefore, he urged residents of the area to seek protection, writes Reuters.
A woman and a child have died after the attacks, according to AFP.
The Armenian Defense Minister also announced that two Azerbaijani helicopters and three drones had been shot down in response to the attack.
“Our response will be proportionate, and the political-military leadership in Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the situation,” the defense minister said in a statement, according to Reuters.
Photo: Stefan Rothmaier
The Azerbaijan Defense Forces, in turn, responded by announcing that a military operation was beginning in the area. The country confirmed that the helicopters had been shot down, but that the people on board had survived.
According to Reuters, the enclave has announced laws of war after the escalation and all grown men are mobilizing.
The conflict between the countries it is one of the most durable in the world. During the collapse of the Soviet Union, the countries ended in war over Nagorno-Karabakh. The war has never ended, but since 1994 there has been a ceasefire. However, this has not prevented further short-lived battles.
In March 2008, a shooting at the border claimed the lives of about 10 soldiers. Two years later there were new confrontations, even then, with a fatal outcome. In 2016, the fiercest fighting broke out between countries since the ceasefire. After a four-day war, the parties agreed to a ceasefire. Still, at least 100 people died in the following month.
Since the ceasefire in 1994, Nagorno-Karabakh has been an exchange state under the name of the Republic of Artsach. The area has around 150,000 inhabitants, most of whom are Armenians. However, the area is still considered part of Azerbaijan and no other country has recognized the status.
Nagorno-Karabakh is located near the border with Armenia, about 270 km west of the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
