Fighting in the conflicted Nagorno-Karabakh region recently killed 54 Armenian soldiers, the Armenian news agency Armenpress reports Friday. The number of deaths during the recent flare-ups of the conflict now stands at more than 150. In Brussels, police protested against Azerbaijan on Thursday evening.
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The army in Azerbaijan on Friday spoke of heavy artillery fire in several villages on their territory. Azerbaijan is reported to have 19 dead civilians and 55 injured.
The conflict between the two former Soviet republics has lasted for decades, but has escalated in recent days. The conflict concerns the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has been in the hands of Christian Armenian troops for decades, but is internationally regarded as part of the predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan. The recent fighting goes well beyond the repeated skirmishes that have occurred in the region.
Rally in Brussels
More than 600 people protested Thursday evening at the Schuman roundabout in Brussels, near the institutions of the European Union, against attacks by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. Many Armenian flags were on display. Several people took the floor, including senator Mark Demesmaeker (N-VA) and Member of Parliament Georges Dallemagne (cdH).
Nicolas Tavitian, chairman of the Committee of Armenians of Belgium, was positive about French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for a ceasefire. He also wants the EU to condemn the attacks by Azerbaijan and for sanctions to be imposed if the violence does not end. He thinks that Turkey should be targeted first. Turkey is an ally of Azerbaijan.
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