Both Armenia and Azerbaijan report that air and missile attacks in the area have resulted in civilian casualties. It is not yet known how many deaths are involved. It is also not clear who attacked first. Both countries point to each other.
–
–
Armenia: Tanks destroyed
There is no official ceasefire for the time being. Armenia claims it destroyed three Azerbaijani tanks and two helicopters. Azerbaijan denies this, stating that “the enemy is not a single party at the front.”
Both countries have declared martial law. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have also called on all men to report to the army.
–
–
Lingering conflict
The mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the center of a lingering conflict for years. It officially belongs to Azerbaijan, but the area is inhabited and ruled by ethnic Armenians who want to secede. They have been financially supported by Armenia since a bitter war of secession in the 1990s.
Since this summer, tensions have been rising again. In July, 16 people in the border area were killed in one of the toughest fighting in years. In total, the conflict has already claimed the lives of 30,000 people.
–
–
Extremely worrisome
There are concerned reactions to the escalation from all over the world. Russian President Putin has called on the former Soviet countries for an immediate ceasefire. France calls the escalation “extremely worrisome” and calls on both countries for dialogue. EU president Charles Michel tweets a similar message.
Turkey has also spoken out: Azerbaijan’s staunch ally is calling on Armenia to stop “the provocative hostilities” that “will set the region aflame.” Turkey also promises Azerbaijan all the support that may be necessary.
Images from 2016 of the violence
–
–
