UpdateThe President of Azerbaijan has declared victory after the military intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh. Ilham Aliyev stated on television that his country’s sovereignty had been restored after a “successful anti-terrorist operation” in the area, which, according to latest reports, left at least 200 dead. However, Armenia says it has also since come under fire from Azerbaijan.
Aliyev said separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh are disarming and leaving the area. Much of their equipment is said to have been destroyed by Azerbaijan’s offensive. “Illegal Armenian units have started withdrawing from their positions. They have accepted our conditions and have begun to surrender their weapons.” Those separatists said that at least 200 people were killed, including ten civilians. At least 400 others were injured.
President Aliyev of authoritarian Azerbaijan struck a conciliatory tone and promised that the region will become a “paradise.” He called the ethnic Armenian residents “our citizens” and said his country only has a problem with “criminal” separatist leaders. Residents of the predominantly Christian area will be allowed to continue to practice their own religion and will be given the right to vote in Azerbaijan, Aliyev agreed.
EXPLAINED. What is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict about?
Ethnic Armenians
There has been disagreement for decades about the status of Nagorno-Karabakh between neighboring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan. About 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in the area. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally considered part of Azerbaijan, but after the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenian separatists gained control of the area. This led to several armed conflicts.
Azerbaijan launched a new military operation on Tuesday to regain control of the area. Both sides agreed on a ceasefire a day later. This came about after Russian mediation. The death toll is estimated by an official in Nagorno-Karabakh at more than 200.
Unrest in Armenia
The fall of Nagorno-Karabakh is causing unrest in Armenia, where demonstrations will also take place on Wednesday. Protesters accuse the government of being too passive. President Aliyev was full of praise for the attitude of the Armenian government. He expressed the hope that “obstacles to peace talks will eventually be removed.”
However, Armenia has accused Azerbaijan’s army of opening fire on its positions on the border between the two countries. The incident happened near Sotk, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reported. There are often skirmishes at the border.
Discussions are scheduled for Thursday about the future of the region. Russian peacekeepers will then mediate, the Kremlin announced. This happened after a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.