On Tuesday, the 19th of September, Azerbaijan, following the start of its “anti-terrorism operations” in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh territory, extended an offer to the Armenian separatists there to lay down their arms, promising to commence talks with Armenian representatives if they surrender.
“For the anti-terrorism operations to end, the illegal Armenian armed militants should raise the white flag, lay down their arms and the illegitimate regime should cease operations. Otherwise the anti-terrorism operations will continue to the end,” Azerbaijan announced.
Azerbaijan also reports that if militants surrender, the country is prepared to meet with Armenian representatives in Azerbaijani city of Jevlah, which is located 100 km to the north of Stepanakert.
Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh previously invited Azerbaijan to commence talks and cease hostilities.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the country’s army is not involved in clashes and that the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is stable.
Armenian separatists, meanwhile, report that the Azerbaijani military in Nagorno-Karabakh are using military aircraft, artillery and UAVs, adding that fights occur along the entire contact line.
According to Armenian separatists, five people have been killed and 80 have been injured in various clashes so far.
Azerbaijan claims for police officers and two civilians were killed in land mine blasts in Nagorno-Karabakh. They blame separatists.
On Tuesday, the 19th of September, Azerbaijan announced the start of “anti-terrorism operations” in the de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh.
The announced objective is “the restoration of constitutional order”.
Reports are coming in about attacks on Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh army locations. Explosions are heard in Stepanakert, the capital city of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Baku accuses Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh of organising terrorist attacks.
Nagorno-Karabakh, which was part of thee Azerbaijan SSR during the Soviet Era, has been a de facto independent Armenian republic since the 90s. Although Azerbaijan no longer has control over Nagorno-Karabakh, the country still considers the Armenian-populated territory their territory. No country in the world recognises this region’s independence.
In 2020 Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed in an armed conflict that lasted for six weeks. It concluded with ceasefire signed with mediation from Russia.
According to the conditions of this ceasefire, Armenia lost part of Nagorno-Karabakh territory, as well as all so-called buffer areas that have been under this country’s control since the 90s.
Tensions continued to rise for months. Azerbaijan then blocked the Lachin corridor – the only road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Also read: Azerbaijan launches operations in Nagorno-Karabakh