Azerbaijan recently launched an “anti-terrorist” operation in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area populated mainly by Armenians. Fighting has resumed, ending hopes for a lasting truce in the region.
Armenian separatists confirmed the scale of the military operation and reported the death of two civilians, as well as 23 injured. For his part, the Armenian Prime Minister affirmed that the situation at the border was “stable”.
These latest events have reignited tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region disputed for many decades between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The hostilities have already caused the deaths of six Azerbaijanis following the explosion of mines on a road construction site.
Armenian diplomacy reacted strongly and accused Azerbaijan of carrying out “large-scale aggression” with the aim of carrying out “ethnic cleansing”. She also urged Russia, as guarantor of the 2020 ceasefire, to stop this aggression.
For its part, Azerbaijan demanded the “total and unconditional” withdrawal of Armenian forces from Nagorno-Karabakh before considering any negotiations. He also offered to hold talks with the region’s Armenian population in an Azerbaijani city.
This new escalation of tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh comes after months of increasing tensions in the region. Nagorno-Karabakh, a secessionist territory of Azerbaijan populated mainly by Armenians, was the scene of two wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the last of which lasted six weeks.
The current situation raises concerns about the possibility of a new regional conflict. Armenian separatists say several towns in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the capital Stepanakert, are the target of intensive fire, which also affects civilian infrastructure.
France has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation. For its part, Russia, concerned by the escalation of tensions, is seeking to convince Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to the negotiating table.
This new outbreak of violence highlights the importance of a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, in order to avoid further human losses and preserve the stability of the region. The situation remains tense and it is crucial that the parties involved take steps to defuse tensions and find a peaceful solution.