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The Armenian-backed separatist forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region are said to have retaliated against a massive attack by Azerbaijan and responded with a counterattack, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry.
The battles of the past week are the most intense in decades. Last weekend, Armenia accused neighboring Azerbaijan of attacking civilian settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh. Two Azeri helicopters were shot down in response to the attack. Since then, fighting has continued and nearly 200 people have been confirmed dead, including more than 30 civilians.
Russia, the United States and France has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to lay down their arms and start peace talks. The EU supports the demand.
Armenia says it is ready to negotiate a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and may consider mediating through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Azerbaijan says no as long as Armenia has troops in the area.
The conflict between the countries is one of the longest 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.
Since the 1994 ceasefire Nagorno-Karabakh has been a separatist state under the name of the Republic of Artsach. The area has about 150,000 inhabitants, most of whom are Armenians. The area is still considered part of Azerbaijan, but is controlled by Armenia. No other country has recognized the state.
Nagorno-Karabakh is located near the border with Armenia, about 270 km west of the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
The outside world is concerned about the risk of a multi-front war involving regional powers Turkey and Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs It has mediated for decades in the conflict of the countries, but it has a military base in Armenia and will support the country in case of war. Russia, which sells arms to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, is not interested in a war in the region.
Turkey, which supports Azerbaijan in the conflict, demands that Armenia withdraw its troops from the area and return them to Azerbaijan.
