Azerbaijan targets Armenian positions in Nagorno-Karabakh in 'anti-terrorist operation'

Azerbaijan has begun concentrating on Armenian army positions within the Nagorno-Karabakh area, in what it’s calling an “anti-terrorist operation”.

There are fears the motion might result in a brand new battle within the territory, which is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani.

Part of it, nonetheless, is run by breakaway ethnic Armenian authorities who say it’s their ancestral homeland.

It has been the main focus of two wars for the reason that collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the most recent of which concerned six weeks of heavy preventing in 2020.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry mentioned it had begun its operation hours after 4 troopers and two civilians died in landmine explosions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The ministry mentioned positions “on the front line” and Armenian “long-term firing points” – in addition to fight belongings and army services – had been “incapacitated using high-precision weapons”.

“Only legitimate military targets are being incapacitated,” it added.

Armenia has mentioned its forces will not be in Karabakh and describes the scenario on its border with Azerbaijan as secure.

Loud and repeated shelling was audible on social media footage filmed in Stepanakert, the regional capital of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ethnic Armenian officers mentioned Stepanakert and a few villages had been “under intense shelling”.

The Karabakh separatist human rights ombudsman, Gegham Stepanyan, mentioned the civilian inhabitants had suffered “multiple casualties” following strikes by the Azerbaijani army.

Just two days in the past, Armenia’s prime minister mentioned his nation and Azerbaijan might attain a peace deal over Nagorno-Karabakh by the tip of this yr.

Armenia is asking on the UN Security Council to assist and for Russian peacekeepers to intervene.

Russia, which brokered a fragile ceasefire following the battle in 2020, has known as for all sides to cease preventing.

Armenia has accused Moscow of being too distracted by the battle in Ukraine.

‘Russia seems to have failed in its duties’ – evaluation

Diana Magnay, Moscow correspondent

Azerbaijan’s supposed “anti-terror operation” represents a serious escalation and will spark a 3rd battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Despite Azerbaijan’s claims it’s concentrating on army positions solely, the Armenian administration in Nagorno-Karabakh has already launched photos of civilian casualties, together with youngsters, whereas the primary few movies exhibiting harm to civilian infrastructure within the regional capital of Stepanakert are starting to trickle by way of.

The ethnic Armenian inhabitants in Nagorno-Karabakh has been starved of meals and humanitarian provides for 9 months now, for the reason that Azerbaijani authorities blocked the so-called Lachin hall from Armenia by way of to Stepanakert which they’re obliged to maintain open underneath worldwide regulation.

The Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have cried genocide, saying Azerbaijan is making an attempt to starve them out of the area the place they’ve lived for hundreds of years.

Now the Azeris say they’ve opened humanitarian corridors through Lachin and elsewhere to allow Armenian civilians to flee their army operation.

If Armenians do go away, the proof will probably be whether or not they’re ever allowed again to their properties. If not, that’s certainly ethnic cleaning.

Russia, in the meantime, supposedly in control of holding the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the reason that final quick and cruel battle in 2020, seems to have failed in its duties, too preoccupied with the battle in Ukraine to interact totally with its regional obligations.

Russia’s overseas ministry mentioned it was given solely minutes’ warning earlier than Azerbaijan launched its offensive.

The newest tweet from a neighborhood journalist in Stepanakert makes for sorry studying: “I am charging my phone at the Republic Hospital in Stepanakert,” writes Marut Vanyan.

“Non-stop artillery shells are being heard. Doctor just passed by with bloody hands.”