X
    Categories: 2020

Armenia’s conflict is over, but turmoil remains

Yahoo! News
Nov 17 2020

Russia has moved trucks mounted with rocket launchers into the land corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the latest ceasefire there.

Some 2,000 Russian troops have been deployed for peacekeeping after the conflict, but the crisis here isn't over.

The hardware that Reuters reporters have seen moving include a tank, and a Soviet-era system that can fire 40 rockets in around 20 seconds.

Their deployment suggests Moscow isn't taking any chances, as its forces secure the territory.

Meanwhile, Armenia is battling through political chaos, which prompted its foreign minister to resign on Monday.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government has faced intense backlash after signing the ceasefire, which lost them much of their territory in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Thousands have protested demanding his resignation.

Armenia’s president also said the government should step down and a snap parliamentary election should be held.

The ceasefire ended six weeks of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The place is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but was populated by ethnic Armenians — who see the deal as a defeat.

Armenian’s living in the surrounding villages have held tearful prayers before leaving the territory.

Some even set their own homes on fire before Azeri troops moved in.

Russia has moved trucks mounted with rocket launchers into the land corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the latest ceasefire there. Some 2,000 Russian troops have been deployed for peacekeeping after the conflict, but the crisis here isn't over. The hardware that Reuters reporters have seen moving include a tank and a Soviet-era system that can fire 40 Rockets in around 20 seconds. Their deployment suggests Moscow isn't taking any chances as its forces secure the territory.

Meanwhile, Armenia is battling through political chaos, which prompted its foreign minister to resign on Monday. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government has faced intense backlash after signing the ceasefire, which lost much of their territory in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region. Thousands have protested, demanding his resignation. Armenia's president also said the government should step down and a snap parliamentary election should be held.

The ceasefire ended weeks of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. The place is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but was populated by ethnic Armenians, who see the deal as a defeat. Armenians living in the surrounding villages held tearful prayers before leaving the territory. Some even set their own homes on fire before the Azeri troops moved in.

Garnik Zakarian: