The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to attract international attention, as Armenian separatists have announced their willingness to negotiate with Azerbaijan the withdrawal of their troops from the region. This decision comes two days after the conclusion of a ceasefire which ended a deadly conflict. Armenian separatists began to surrender their weapons, under the control of the Russian peace contingent.
The talks between the parties are taking place under the auspices of Russian peacekeepers in order to organize the process of troop withdrawal and facilitate the return of citizens displaced by military aggression. At the same time, negotiations also cover the entry and exit procedure for citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh.
As part of the agreement, Armenian separatists have already handed over six armored vehicles, more than 800 small arms and around 5,000 munitions to Russian peacekeeping forces. However, it should be noted that despite the conclusion of the ceasefire, two violations were reported during the day, down slightly from the previous day.
The situation in the “capital” of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert, remains worrying, with the Azerbaijani army surrounding it. Residents face a critical humanitarian situation, deprived of essential services such as electricity, gas, food, fuel as well as internet and telephone connections. As a result, the population retreated into the cellars for fear of possible massacres.
Humanitarian efforts have nevertheless begun to take place, with the Russian contingent having delivered 50 tonnes of aid to the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh and organized accommodation for more than 800 displaced people, the majority of whom are children. For its part, Azerbaijan also sent 40 tons of humanitarian aid to the region.
It is important to note that this conflict has already caused numerous casualties, with an estimate of at least 200 dead and 400 injured on the side of the Armenian separatists. Tensions remain palpable and the situation remains fragile despite ongoing negotiation efforts.
In conclusion, the ongoing negotiation between Armenian separatists and Azerbaijan for the withdrawal of troops from Nagorno-Karabakh is a positive development in this deadly conflict. However, the worrying humanitarian situation and the presence of Azerbaijani troops around Stepanakert remain sources of concern. Humanitarian efforts are crucial to support the people of the region and to ensure a peaceful and lasting solution to this conflict.