Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh has ignited concerns of a renewed conflict in the region. This long-standing dispute revolves around an ethnic Armenian region within Azerbaijani territory. The recent attacks have escalated tensions and raised international alarm.
Azerbaijan’s Offensive:
- Azerbaijan has initiated a military operation backed by artillery strikes in Nagorno-Karabakh.
- They have declared their intent to continue until Armenian forces surrender.
- The operation was triggered by landmine incidents, attributed to Armenian saboteurs, resulting in casualties.
Historical Context:
- Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian region, is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory.
- Separatist Armenian authorities control part of the region, considering it their ancestral homeland.
- The conflict has been a persistent flashpoint since the Soviet Union’s dissolution.
Azerbaijan’s Objectives:
- Azerbaijan’s defense ministry aims to disarm Armenian forces, secure their withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories, and neutralize their military infrastructure.
- They have reported the capture of over 60 military posts and destruction of numerous military vehicles.
Armenian Response:
- Armenia’s foreign ministry condemned Azerbaijan’s actions as “large-scale aggression” and accused them of pursuing ethnic cleansing.
- Casualty figures remain unverified, but a separatist Armenian human rights official reported 25 casualties, including civilians.
International Involvement:
- Armenia called on UN Security Council members for assistance and urged Russian peacekeepers to intervene.
- Protests in Yerevan demanded Prime Minister Pashinyan’s resignation, reflecting dissatisfaction with his handling of the crisis.
Russian Mediation:
- Russia, seeking to maintain influence in the region amidst Turkish support for Azerbaijan, contacted both parties for renewed negotiations.
- Moscow’s peacekeeping troops, deployed after the 2020 ceasefire, have not prevented recent Azerbaijani military actions.
Western Response:
- The United States is engaged in crisis diplomacy to address the escalating situation, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken likely to be involved.
- The European Union, France, and Germany condemned Azerbaijan’s military action and called for a return to negotiations on the region’s future.
- EU’s foreign policy chief emphasized the need to prevent the displacement of the local population.
Azerbaijan:
- Located in the South Caucasus region.
- Capital: Baku.
- Official language: Azerbaijani.
- Major religion: Islam (predominantly Shia).
- Notable for its oil and gas reserves, contributing to its economy.
Armenia:
- Located in the South Caucasus region.
- Capital: Yerevan.
- Official language: Armenian.
- Major religion: Christianity (Armenian Apostolic Church).
- Known for its rich history and as the first Christian nation.
Both countries have a complex history, including a long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians.
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