New Delhi : Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had initiated a military offensive against Armenia, describing it as an "anti-terrorist" operation aimed at regaining control of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. This action came mere hours after the tragic loss of four soldiers and two civilians due to landmine explosions in the contentious area.
Azerbaijani forces reportedly initiated artillery fire on Armenian positions within the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Ethnic Armenian officials immediately reported casualties, stating that at least two civilians had been killed and 11 others wounded in the heavy artillery barrage around the capital of the region.
Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have simmered for years, with the latest military offensive being part of their ongoing struggle to assert dominance over the ethnic Armenian enclave in Nagorno-Karabakh, an area internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Key Updates in the Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh
Civilian Casualties: AFP reported that at least two civilians lost their lives, while 11 others sustained injuries during the intense artillery shelling in the region's capital, as confirmed by ethnic Armenian officials.
Azerbaijan's Statement: Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry stated that they were targeting front-line positions and military assets of Armenia's armed forces using high-precision weapons, emphasizing that only legitimate military targets were attacked.
Human Rights Concerns: The Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman reported that two civilians were killed and 23 were wounded in attacks by Azerbaijan's military.
Armenia's Appeal: Armenia's foreign ministry called on Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh to intervene and halt what they termed "full-scale aggression" by Azerbaijan against the local population.
Armenian Prime Minister's Statement: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that Armenian forces were not involved in the fighting, and he characterized the situation at the border as "stable."
Ceasefire Proposal: The separatist leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian-populated region in Azerbaijan, proposed a ceasefire and requested talks with Baku.
International Involvement: The Kremlin confirmed that it was in communication with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, urging them to engage in negotiations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is reportedly planning to speak with delegations from both countries regarding the ongoing offensive.
EU Condemnation: The European Union issued a statement condemning the military escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh and called on Azerbaijan to cease its current military activities.
TikTok Access Restricted: Azerbaijan reportedly restricted access to TikTok within the region, according to The Insider.
Global Concern: Armenian footballer Henrikh Mkhitaryan drew attention to the dire situation on X, stating, "120,000 civilians including 30,000 children in Nagorno Karabakh are under military attack." He called on fans, the sports community, and media colleagues to raise their voices for peace, denouncing the targeting of children and referring to the situation as genocide.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains highly volatile, with concerns growing over civilian casualties and the potential for further escalation in the conflict. International efforts to address and resolve the crisis are urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and instability in the region.