2020 – Page 268 – Armenian Directory & News

Iran Reportedly Continues Moving Armed Forces to Nagorno-Karabakh Border

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

Sputnik

Oct 28 2020

WORLD

TEHRAN (Sputnik) – The Iranian armed forces have continued stepping up their presence in the country’s northern areas adjacent to the conflict zone in Nagorno-Karabakh, the IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday, citing military sources.

According to the report, the 321st unit of the Iranian ground forces has been deployed to the northeastern border, which is shared with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Iran has repeatedly complained about munitions from the conflict zone crossing into its own territory and warned the warring parties it would respond accordingly if they continue to undermine the Islamic Republic’s security. Several detachments of Iranian air defence forces and ground forces had been pulled to the northeastern borderline in the period of 23-25 October.

At the same time, Tehran has called upon the warring parties to stop fighting and engage in peace talks. On 27 October, the Iranian president’s special envoy Abbas Araghchi began a regional tour in a bid to promote Tehran’s own plan of political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Araghchi is now in Azerbaijan, from where he is expected to travel to Armenia, as well as Russia and Turkey.

Last week, Iran began stepping up its military presence in its borderline areas close to Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-populated enclave inside Azerbaijan which exercises de facto independence.

The armed hostilities between the Azerbaijani and Armenian forces have been continuing since 27 September, with Armenia and Azerbaijan accusing each other of starting the military action. The international community has strongly condemned the escalation and called on parties to settle the differences via dialogue. However, Turkey has pledged its full support for Azerbaijan.

The parties have since agreed to three humanitarian ceasefires but all were broken mere hours after coming into force. The warring sides have continued to accuse each other of provocations and attacks on civilian settlements. The tensions began when the region broke off from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic in 1988.

The Water Factor in the Karabakh Conflict

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Khoyetsian Rose

The Jamestown Foundation

Oct 28 2020

11:14 AM Age: 7 hours

Sarsang reservoir (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

On the morning of October 22, Armenian forces fired SCUD missile at various locations inside Azerbaijan, including the city of Gabala, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported (Twitter.com/HikmetHajiyev, Azerbaycan24.com, October 22). Gabala is an important hub along the Oguz–Gabala–Baku water pipeline, which was built in 2011 in order to supply the region of Absheron and the Azerbaijani capital (see EDM, January 7, 2011).

The missile barrage was, at that time, the latest in a series of such strikes targeting cities and strategic infrastructure outside the Karabakh conflict zone (see EDM, October 19, 2020). Among others, long-range attacks have been previously aimed at Mingachevir, which hosts an important water reservoir and a hydroelectric power plant, itself the objective of an October 11 strike (TASS, October 11).

Water shortages and the risk of drought have long been major sources of concern in Azerbaijan, which is heavily dependent for its supplies of water for drinking and irrigation on the Kura-Araks river basin, shared with Georgia and Armenia. The main exception is, in fact, the Oguz–Gabala–Baku pipeline, which pumps water sourced entirely from local springs in norther Azerbaijan. The authorities have made multiple attempts over time to try to address the country’s water security issue, mainly by drilling wells. And over the summer, President Ilham Aliyev reiterated this topic, characterizing it as a top-agenda item for his administration (President.az, July 23).

In fact, one of the first moves that followed Azerbaijan’s reclaiming of territory as a result of the ongoing weeks of fierce fighting in Karabakh was the announcement of a tender for the maintenance and amelioration of water facilities in the former occupied lands (Azertag.az, October 19). Among the retaken territories, many have strategic importance for water management, including Khudaferin and Sugovushan (formerly Madagiz). In particular, Sugovushan hosts a water reservoir that is central to the operation of the Sarsang water facility complex. The Sarsang reservoir on the Terter River was built by Soviet authorities to serve the area of lower Karabakh. It is located in the mountains, currently de facto controlled by the Yerevan-backed separatist forces. Sarsang is used both to generate electricity and provide drinking and irrigation water. The smaller Madagiz reservoir is located 20 kilometers downstream and feeds irrigation canals that were meant to serve the regions in the lowlands (Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Barda, Goranboy, Terter, Yevlakh). Prior to 1994, annual water use in the region was estimated at around 700 million cubic meters. But until the current advancement of Azerbaijani forces, the use of over 90 percent of the 22-km-long canal from Sarsang was denied to Azerbaijan’s nearby lowlands.

Armenian control of the area permitted Yerevan to use Sarsang as political leverage during the non-combat phases of the three-decades-long Karabakh conflict. In fact, by holding the upstream, main branch of the water complex, Karabakh’s de facto authorities could alternatively regulate periodic outflows of water or turn off the taps. A 2015 investigation by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) highlighted the multiple environmental and social consequences an uncooperative management of the reservoir. According to the report, water flow from Sarsang was reduced during the summer months, when it is most needed, resulting in insufficient supplies for agricultural purposes. Moreover, the lack of maintenance of the reservoir and denial of access to independent experts not only spurred concerns over the damaged structure but also impeded the use of Sarsang water as potable, due to concerns it could be contaminated. Consequently, Azerbaijan had to put in place a system of groundwater pumps and wells, which is more costly and environmental destructive, can lead to salinity intrusion of the soil, and result in lower agricultural productivity (Assembly.coe.in, December 12, 2015). Following the 2015 report, PACE approved a resolution in 2016 that framed the situation as a humanitarian problem and requested that the Armenian Armed Forces withdraw from the area to allow access to independent engineers and international supervisors to oversee an equitable operation of the facility. Moreover, the pan-European democratization and human rights body defined the present situation as “environmental aggression,” referencing the 1992 United Nations Water Convention (Assembly.coe.int, January 26 2016).

On October 22, President Aliyev sent a tweet accusing Armenia of perpetrating “ecological terror” and called for the development of agriculture in the retaken areas (Twitter.com/presidentaz, October 22).

Throughout the long-lasting so-called “frozen conflict,” the water dispute has been an important underlying factor. And by, now, trying to attack water facilities, in particular the vital Oguz–Gabala–Baku pipeline, Armenian forces aim at undermining civilian Azerbaijani morale and creating unrest within the country, where support for the military operation and the current favorable momentum in the war constitute a unifying factor and boost support for Aliyev (Aqreqator.az, July 13).

In the previous outbreak of serious clashes, this past July, experts and observers expressed concern for the security of Azerbaijani oil and natural gas facilities, which permit the country to export its energy resources to the global market. This time, Armenian forces are concentrating on water facilities to affect the Azerbaijani people exclusively, thus significantly reducing the likelihood that these strikes might push third parties with an interest in stable energy flows to interfere in the conflict on the side of Baku.

Given the Azerbaijani military’s overwhelming successes in recent weeks in progressively overpowering the Armenian forces, Yerevan’s strategy has been to wage an asymmetric war, aimed at sapping the enemy’s morale and endurance by depriving it of a basic good. This strategy represents a continuation of the past three decades of such activities, during the non-combat phases of the conflict, but heretofore largely limited to the occupied territories. Now, with the use of ballistic missiles, Armenia’s strategy is specifically to expand those activities beyond the occupied regions in order to even put the residents of the Azerbaijani capital at risk of manufactured drought.

How Mercenaries in Nagorno-Karabakh can destabilize the situation

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Kajoyan Gevork

Modern Diplomacy

Oct 28 2020

By Vishal Sengupta

It is almost a month now since two of the former Soviet countries pitting against each other, The orthodox Christian Armenia and Muslim majority Azerbaijan. So far many casualties have been reported from both the side, however, what drew the attention and need to address soon is the involvement of the mercenaries in the conflict.

Historically mercenaries were used by many historic kingdoms to fight on their behalf or protect themselves from outside attacks for example the group called The Ten thousand a mercenary unit mostly consisted of Greeks who were hired by Cyrus the young to fight against his brother.

Then in the 14th Century came the famous John wood’s “The White Company“. An English Mercenary group consists of people of English, German, Hungarian origins. This group was famous for its expedition in Italy

Similarly, during the infamous raids by the Ottoman king Mahmud the II on the Byzantine Empire, the defence of the walls was handover to a famous Italian Mercenary Giovanni Guistiniani, who was given the task of defending the walls of the Kingdom with his army of Mercenaries. Throughout the raid, he and his mercenary army were able to hold up the post until he was shot and wounded during the last raid.

In the modern era, the mercenary fight was seen during the world war when few American volunteer pilots who called themselves The American Volunteer Group later were known as the infamous The Flying Tigers. Fought along with the Chinese against the Japanese forces in Burma (Myanmar).

Due to changes in the War and international Scenario, countries started hiring people for their conflicts so that anonymity can be kept. From Afghanistan to Syria the concept of mercenaries can be seen. But due to the complex international structure, the use of Mercenaries has become a debating topic for many reasons.

Destabilizing and international issues related to the hiring

Any military has to follow the basic rules of engagement that protects those combatants who were injured during the conflict and civilians who had to face the wrath of the conflict so for better understanding the International Humanitarian law had categorized the conflict into two areas a) International armed conflict b) No international armed conflict.

As per the Geneva Convention 1949 Article 2, the international armed conflict is when two ‘High contracting parties’ are involved. So technically it means in an international Armed conflict only military combatants of the states will be used however the situation with mercenaries is very different. The definition provided in the Additional protocol I suggested six-point that makes a party or individual a mercenary and as per IHL Database Customary IHL, the group had to meet all the six points provided in the definition to be claimed as a mercenary.

However, the problem arises when foreign Mercenaries started to enter into the war as many countries like Italy, France, and even Additional Protocol I does not acknowledge the mercenaries as a combatant or POWs that means any involvement of mercenaries will not just destabilize the situation more but it will cause great human rights violation

The legal Status of Mercenary is again something that causes a major issue in the international arena for example Under International Humanitarian Law being a mercenary is not seen as a crime and they had to be treated properly according to the fundamental guarantees under Article 75 whereas under two International conventions one is International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing, and Training of Mercenaries adopted in 1989 and second is African Union, the Convention for the Elimination of Mercenaries in Africa both deem the use of mercenary as a crime.

Another important aspect brought into the light was the fact that these groups function anonymously and secretly and because of their secret nature it becomes hard to trace their origins as we have seen in the case of 2014 “The little Green man” incident was Russian involvement was alleged however the government denies any involvement with the incident, similarly the recent news of Turkey sending ex Syrian fighters to fight along with Azerbaijan was also denied by Turkey despite recent Reuters report of two Syrian fighters agreeing to the fact that they were sent by Turkey. Due to the clear deniability of the host nation, it became tougher to implement international law on them which lead to more human rights violations.

Human rights Violation

As the conflicts are becoming more private with the hiring of mercenaries the chances of human rights violations are also increasing and to address such issues Resolution 7/21 by Human Rights Council suggested the creation of The Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination. But it was the Nisour Square Massacre 2007 by the employees of “The Blackwater” PMCs that forced the international community for having a strong global regulation for mercenaries or PMCs.

Mercenaries in Nagorno-Karabakh has a greater impact not only on the disability of the region but also might cause human rights issues, as mercenaries are notorious for committing heinous crimes like Drug trafficking, rape, murders, etc there are high chances that the hiring of Syrian mercenaries will lead to a humanitarian issue as the majority of the Syrian fighters who previously belonged to the Anti-government rebel faction called the Free Syrian Army is being used in the conflict, though Turkey denied their involvement in hiring however many reports suggests that at least twenty of the soldiers belong to the Syrian rebels were killed in action who were hired by Turkey. As per the Guardian article written by Bethan Mckernan suggest that Turkey was paying the soldiers of the Murad division with almost 10,000 Turkish liras to protect the Azerbaijani Oil refineries.

The Mercenaries are always convicted of committing human rights violations like Murder, Drug Trafficking, Rape, etc. So far it is not exactly clear which group is being used in the Nagorno-Karabakh region but as per the news reports, the fighters mostly belong to the Turkish-backed Murad division and Free Syrian Army. Interestingly the members of the groups were involved in the recent Syrian crisis were as per the United Nations the same rebels were involved in many human rights violations like execution, torture, etc. that mostly went unnoticed in the similar lines an article in Business insider suggests how the Free Syrian Faction started involving in crimes like smuggling, Kidnapping, etc even Amnesty International on War Crimes in Syrian Conflict reported the human rights violation committed by the members of the Free Syrian Army.

Similarly, Murad Division has a history of attacking and torturing the members of the People’s Protection Unit (YPG). The division was also accused of committing violence in the parts of Afrin a Human Rights Digests published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights pointed the violence like theft, harassments, murder and other abuses were committed by this group in the Northern Syrian region.

As there are no reports of hiring procedure there is a high chance that some criminals might have been hired in the conflict and might commit the same level of crimes they had committed during their days in Syria.

Paving way for terrorism and more conflict

Mercenaries have a history of committing crimes especially Transnational in nature and that is something even Antonio Guterres the current Secretary-General of United Nations had mentioned during his meeting summoned by Equatorial Guinea.

The usage of Syrian mercenaries will not only create a way for terrorism in the region but might lead to more sectarian and proxy conflict. As historically in many conflicts world has seen ex-terrorist being hired as a mercenary force in different battles for example Chechen rebels have been fighting alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan similarly many Yemeni mujahedeen fighters went to Afghanistan during the Afghan-Soviet fight who later became the reason for the creation of Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula. Similarly, recent reports on ex ISIS fighters are being hired and sent to Nagorno-Karabakh is not only alarming information but this might also lead to the rise of the declining Islamic State of Levant- the Caucasus.

The historically Caucasian region was never free from insurgency and extremism the North Caucasian region was always infested with terrorism from groups like Al Qaeda, Jaish al-Muhajireen Wal- Ansar, Islamic Djamaat of Dagestan, and most importantly the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant – who involves a large number of foreign fighters for their fights. During the First and Second Chechen War, the region had seen a huge influx of Arab fighters participating in war similarly the group Jaish al-Muhajireen Wal and the Islamic States also believes in hiring foreign fighters for their cause and this is what makes them more troublesome in the region and involvement of Ex Islamic State fighter in the battle will open the Pandora box.

With Azerbaijan having their band of mercenaries fighting for them, reports also suggest that Armenia is also hiring Kurds especially Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and The People’s Protection Unit (YPG) to train the Armenian Militias to fight the war against the Azerbaijani forces and also the infamous Armenian Secret Army for the liberation of Armenia, fighters allegedly being hired to fight on their behalf. Kurds had a history of fighting on the behalf of Armenia as this is not the first time that Armenia had hired Kurds as their mercenaries, in 1923 – 1929 Armenia supported the Kurds group to form what previously was known as Kurdistansky Uyezd. This is the same group that is being designated as a terror outfit by Turkey, United States and even by the European Union, however, Armenia does not deem them as terror outfit this will create an issue for the international community to decide who is a terrorist and who is not and whom to put under trial as International Humanitarian law suggests that these mercenaries can only be prosecuted under the national laws, so if Armenia denies their involvement they might escape the trial and continue their fight and with such complexity in the international law famous dilemma of one man’s Terrorist Another Man’s freedom fighter will again arise and make this situation more tricky.

As Kurds, Free Syrian Army, Turkey getting involved in the fight this will surely push the parties into a different sectarian war as Kurds had an old rivalry with the Turks and Syrian rebels, similarly, the fighters of the Armenian Secret Army for the liberation of Armenia had a history of attacking the Turkish interest in the 1980s. With Pro – Armenian groups arriving to fight against the Turkish backed Azerbaijan, and countries like Russia coming into play this will increase the insecurity of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan which might push Erdoğan towards recruiting more no-state actors to achieve its dream of spreading its power and with insecurity more international state and non-state actors in the conflict might arrive which will make the issue more violent and complicated.

Conclusion

As the world becoming more privatized, countries are trying hard to make the war privatized as well by hiring mercenaries to protect their interest. Due to the lack of a proper international framework for mercenaries identifying the crimes committed by mercenaries is becoming hard and with such complexity bringing Mercenaries by both parties not only pave way for more insecurity in the region but also opens the door for more human rights violation.

It is high time that international parties especially Armenia and Azerbaijan should pledge to remove all the mercenaries form the current conflict so that proper international mechanism can be used to create peace among the parties

UNICEF statement on one month of fighting in and beyond Nagorno-Karabakh

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Hovik Karapetian

UNICEF

Oct 28 2020

GENEVA/NEW YORK, – Ten-month old Narin; one-year-old Madina. Aysu, 8; Viktoria, 9; Shahriyar, 13; Artur, 13; Farid, 14; Fidan, 15; Nigar, 15; Orkhan, 16. These are the names and ages of 10 children known to have been killed during one month of fighting in and beyond the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. The names of an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl have not been released.

Over 130,000 people have been displaced, 76 schools and kindergartens damaged, and one maternity hospital shelled. Countless children are being scarred by the psychological impact of daily exposure to rocket and missile attacks in civilian areas.

For children, this is the horrific tally of four weeks of fighting, and three thus far unrespected ceasefires. UNICEF appeals once again for an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities so that no more children’s lives are lost.

Armenian Ambassador to Athens: We feel the sincere and unconditional support of the Greek people

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Ekmekjian Janet

Greek City Times

Oct 28 2020

by Guest Blogger

The Armenian Ambassador to Athens, Fadey Charchoghlyan, commented on the latest developments in Artsakh with Penta Postagma, condemning the actions of the Azeris and presenting conclusive evidence to crimes they have committed.

Turkey is trying to turn Azerbaijan into a launch pad for influencing a wider region (South Caucasus and Central Asia), while the credibility of NATO and Europe has been jeopardized due to the inability of the organizations to influence the Turkish president.

In addition, Charchoghlyan expressed Yerevan’s satisfaction with Greece’s strong support for Armenia.

The interview in detail:

The latest information from international media indicates that Armenia has lost control of the border with Iran, as well as control of the southern part of Artsakh. What is the situation for Armenian forces at the moment?

On October 20-21, 2020, Azerbaijani forces, violating the humanitarian ceasefire, carried out attacks in the northern direction of the Line of Contact, using air and artillery strikes. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces also launched a large-scale offensive on the southern front. As a result of the countermeasures taken by the Artsakh Defense Army, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces retreated in a southerly direction towards the Hudaferin dam and suffered heavy casualties. Early in the morning, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed bombing settlements, including the town of Martakert and neighboring villages, using banned weapons. The Artsakh Air Defense Forces in the southern direction shot down an Azeri aircraft.

On the afternoon of October 23, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed bombing of the capital of Artsakh, Stepanakert. Residential buildings and a gas pipeline were damaged. The town of Martuni and the community of Avetarants in the Askeran area were also targeted. On the same day, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia shot down inside the airspace of the Republic of Armenia with a manned aircraft of Azerbaijan (northeast direction).

On October 24, Azerbaijan once again attacked peaceful settlements in the Republic of Artsakh. Smerch and Grad systems hit the town of Martuni and the community of Tahavard. The city of Martakert was bombed using military aircraft. The Artsakh Defense Army destroyed Azerbaijani military equipment, including one TOS-1 and one manned aircraft.

On the evening of October 24-25, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces fired artillery in the direction of Karmir Shuka, Taghavard, Gishi, Spitakashen in the Martuni region and the village of Avetaranots in the Askeran region, as well as in the direction of farms.

According to data from October 25, 2020, the casualties among the civilian population has reached 40 people and 120 injured. 13,100 properties, infrastructure and factories have been destroyed or damaged.

Turkey is clearly supporting the Azeris by transferring Islamist mercenaries. Are there any indications of Turkish tactical forces in Artsakh?

Yes, there is a lot of evidence that fighters are there. The difference from the war of the early 1990s is that at that time there were some jihadists – mercenaries from Afghanistan and elsewhere, but they were numbered. This time they are Islamist fighters or terrorists, terrorist groups, which are banned by different countries. They are now in the territory of Azerbaijan, fighting against the Armenians of Artsakh and all this is organized by Turkey. The evidence has been confirmed by the intelligence services in France, Russia and other countries. There are videos, photos, recordings, etc.

Let us not forget that the Armenian side has repeatedly warned its partners, international organizations and the public that Syrian mercenaries could be a factor of long-term destabilization in the region and a serious threat not only to the South Caucasus and neighboring countries, but for other regions including the EU. We note with regret that countries outside Europe are preoccupied with other issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and others.

Now we should not think about the evidence, which already exists, but think about the Turkish involvement and the fact Turkey is fighting against the Armenians in Artsakh on the side of Azerbaijan. They have F-16s, unmanned aircraft, they are actively involved in military and civilian operations, as they bomb civilians.

We would like to urge all those who are raising alarming questions these days “why this war is going on, why the Azerbaijani side is not stopping it while the international community is calling for a ceasefire to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.”

How do you interpret Russia’s inability to actually support Armenia in this critical period, as stipulated in the signed defense agreements?

Russia has signed political and military agreements with Armenia. We have signed these agreements with Russia because Russia remains an ally of Armenia and has been for many years. Historically, Russia has proved that the relations between Armenia and Russia are one of the most important for the two peoples. There is mutual trust between us. Russia also has good relations with Azerbaijan – and in this respect, because unlike Turkey, Russia is not actually involved in this conflict – Russia can become an impartial mediator between the two sides. This is exactly what Russia is trying to do. As a result of President Putin’s statements and political decisions, the Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergei Lavrov invited the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to a meeting under their auspices. They negotiated for over 11 hours and signed a ceasefire agreement. But the next day, the Azeri side simply ignored it. They have shown once again that stopping the war, bombing civilians, returning to talks and resolving the issue peacefully is not in Azerbaijan’s interests, but in this case it is probably not even more in Turkey’s interests.

Probably, Turkey has completely different plans and ideas. That is why the presence of Turkey in this conflict does not allow Azerbaijan to keep its promise, to faithfully follow the maintenance of the ceasefire.

Russia is an ally of Armenia. In recent weeks, it has been the leading diplomatic force negotiating a ceasefire, which, however, has not yet been achieved. We appreciate what President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are doing.

Armenian officials have repeatedly said they see the conflict not only as a territorial dispute, but also as a continuation of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, during which more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the Ottoman Empire. We do not agree at all that Russia or any other country should be involved in hostilities.

First of all, the Armenians of Artsakh have already shown that they can defend their country, and they did so even during the first war in the 1990s. People in Artsakh live in their homeland. They adopted Christianity in 301 when Azerbaijan and Turkey did not exist. They continue to defend their land, their family, while Turkey has a different approach and ideas. Turkey’s ideas are not just about Artsakh. They are also messages to Armenia, to Armenians around the world, and to Europe.

Is there satisfaction in Armenia for Greece’s attitude towards the Turkish-Azerbaijani invasion?

On this occasion, on behalf of the Armenian people, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the friendly Greek government and the brotherly Greek people for their support and assistance to the Armenian people in this difficult time.

From the beginning of the hostilities, an operational communication was established between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. Telephone conversations have taken place between the Ministers, where Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Dendias, expressed the support of the Greek government and stressed that Greece condemns any intervention of third parties that incites tension.

On September 30, Greece called for an emergency convening of the OSCE Permanent Council to discuss the escalation of the Artsakh conflict.

The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Dendias, submitted the relevant request in a letter to the Albanian Presidency of the OSCE and this is something that can contribute to the immediate de-escalation of the tension.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias spoke during a recent telephone conversation with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and expressed his readiness. Also, during this telephone conversation, the close ties of friendship between Greece and Armenia were confirmed.

During this difficult period for the Armenian people, there were regular contacts via teleconferences between high-ranking officials of the two countries, Foreign Ministers, politicians, intellectuals, representatives of local government and ordinary citizens.

On October 16, 2020, Greek Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias paid a working visit to Armenia. The media of the Greek Republic at the operational level covered all the events, reacted and did objective assessment. At all levels we feel the sincere and unconditional support of the Greek people’s eternal friendship to the Armenian people. We are grateful for that.

In recent weeks we have witnessed the targeting of political structures and civilians by Azeris. Is there a plan to appeal to international organizations and submit evidence for the purpose of punishing those responsible?

On 17 October 2020, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement stating that the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan have decided to conduct a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes, starting from 18 October 2020 at 00:00 local time.

This decision was taken following the declaration of October 1, 2020 from France, Russia and the U.S. – which are co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group – following the declaration of October 5, 2020 by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and on the basis of the Joint Declaration adopted in Moscow on October 10, 2020.

However, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, once again severely violating the humanitarian ceasefire on October 18, 2020 at 07:20 and after heavy fire in order to occupy favorable positions, launched an attack in a southerly direction.

For the second time, Azerbaijan is violating the ceasefire agreement reached through the personal intervention of the President of the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, thus proving to the international community its insidious nature, which we have been facing for decades.

Armenia will continue to take all necessary measures to enforce a ceasefire, while establishing clear and effective mechanisms for maintaining and controlling the ceasefire on the ground.

How do you interpret the cold response of European diplomacy, both for the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and for Ankara’s illegal interventions in Artsakh, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean?

A few days ago, the UN Security Council discussed the issue, while the US Secretary of State met with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on October 24.

Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with US Deputy Secretary of State Steven Bigan on October 24 to reaffirm their commitment which was confirmed in a statement made in Paris on October 17 and is in line with the statement of US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin from October 1.

The humanitarian ceasefire was to take effect on October 26, 2020 at 08:00. However, we receive information that the Azerbaijani side is not observing the ceasefire and continues to launch missiles against Armenian territories.

We expect NATO and the European Union to put pressure on Turkey and Azerbaijan to end the war and implement a ceasefire. And when there is a ceasefire then it will be possible for the parties to return to the negotiation process with the three Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. The primary and key issue for the Armenian side is the clarification of the final status of Artsakh.

Turkey and Azerbaijan say their war is aimed at liberating occupied territories, which are internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but this is an illusion and a lie.

They are waging a war of ethnic cleansing to clear the area of Armenians. We therefore call on the international community to recognize the right of the Republic of Artsakh to self-determination in order to limit the genocidal ambitions of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia is trying to present the current war in Brussels as part of Turkey’s growing self-affirmation, which has put Ankara in conflict with EU member states throughout the region. In Libya, Turkey intervened on behalf of the UN-backed government against military leader Khalifa Haftar, who enjoys French support, while in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish ships sought energy in waters belonging to Greece and Cyprus.

There is an impression that Erdogan is creating instability everywhere and breaking the status quo. In this sea of instability, Turkey seems to swim very loosely, as it is allowed to play with everyone.

Europe and NATO cannot influence Ankara, which jeopardizes the credibility of the organizations.

We believe that the Turkish intervention will now change the geopolitics of the South Caucasus, turning Azerbaijan into a platform for projecting Turkish influence to a wider region.

Evangelos D. Kokkinos is a correspondent for Penta Postagma.

The adversary fails to advance in the direction of Berdzor – Armenia MoD

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Eduard Nalbandian

Public Radio of Armenia

Oct 28 2020

Today, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, as well as the terrorist groups supporting and fighting with them, special subdivisions continued their various offensive operations along the border with Armenia, as well as from the north to the south of Artsakh, special representative of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan told a daily briefing.

“Some small-scale operations were carried out in the southern part in the direction of Berdzor. The adversary did not manage to advance in the direction of Berdzor. The units of our armed forces managed to improve their positions in this direction,” Hovhannisyan stated.

In the northern direction there was mainly artillery fire and shelling. In particular, in the direction of Martakert and the subdivisions further north, the MoD representative said.

“Fighting continued in the southern direction. Operations to neutralize the subversive groups continue. The fighting is not that intensive, but persistent,” Hovhannisyan stated.

Genocide emergency alert issued for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by global monitoring group

October 29, 2020March 12, 2026 Arpi Talalian

CTV Canada

Oct 28 2020

Jackie Dunham CTVNews.ca Writer

@JaclynLDunham Contact

Published Wednesday, 3:30PM EDT

TORONTO — As fighting rages on between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh with civilian casualties on both sides, a genocide emergency alert has been issued for the conflict by a non-profit organization that tracks genocides around the world.

Last week, Genocide Watch first issued the alert and said it was “due to Azerbaijan’s aggression against the Armenian Republic of Artsakh, usually called by its Soviet name, Nagorno-Karabakh.”

According to the Washington-based organization, which works with global partners to predict and prevent genocides, the Armenian population living in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region are at risk of genocide by Azerbaijani forces.

Gregory Stanton, the founding president and chairman of Genocide Watch, explained that the organization considers Azerbaijan to be at the “Stage 9: Extermination” and “Stage 10: Denial” levels of their “Ten Stages of Genocide.”

“What we’ve got here is a genocide emergency because we’ve got actual attacks by Azerbaijan and we’ve got a persecution of the group in a very real way in that you’ve got forced displacement in a sense because a lot of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh has fled,” he told CTVNews.ca during a telephone interview from Northern Virginia on Wednesday.

Up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed during a First World War-era genocide during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. While Turkey still refuses to recognize the event as a genocide more than a century later, some 30 countries have recognized it as such, including Canada. Both the US Senate and House of Representatives have passed resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide, but the executive branch has not.

While Stanton said they have evidence that most of the war crimes are being committed by the Azerbaijanis, he said that no side is innocent in this conflict. He said the current prime minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, is responsible for setting off some of the conflict by claiming that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the area has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since the 1988-94 war between the two sides ended.

Although a ceasefire was declared in 1994, the two countries have been locked in a stalemate over the territory. The latest fighting, which began in late September, has been the most intense since the war ended with hundreds and possibly thousands of people killed, according to The Associated Press.

“The fact that, you know, that [Prime Minister] Pashinyan of Armenia made these, I think, unwise claims… well it was like poking the Azerbaijanis in the eye,” Stanton said.

“This is something that really needs to be resolved peacefully.”

Frank Chalk, a history professor at Concordia University in Montreal and a board member of Genocide Watch, said that both sides of the conflict have been targeting civilians.

“The civilians are suffering more than soldiers from all the reports that we’ve received. So the genocide warning that was issued actually speaks more of crimes against humanity at the moment and that includes principally the targeting of civilians,” he said during a telephone interview with CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

Chalk believes he sees the “early warning signs” of a genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, but he doesn’t think there is one at the moment.

“A genocide may be over the horizon and the world needs to pay much more attention to stopping the fighting and to bringing about a peaceful resolution of the dispute,” he said. “But I don’t think we’re at the stage of extermination.”

As for the peaceful resolution that both Stanton and Chalk have called for, Neil Hauer, a Canadian journalist stationed in Armenia who has been covering the conflict since it began, said that there needs to be some international “buy in” to happen before the fighting will stop.

“Not just, you know, bring these guys to the table and have them agree to something with no international monitors or anything present,” he told CTVNews.ca during a telephone interview from Armenia on Wednesday.

Hauer said he thinks Russia will have a key role in establishing peace in the region because he said they are the only international actor with assets in place on the ground to enforce a ceasefire at the moment.

“They could enter in immediately into [Nagorno-Karabakh] with some sort of observers or peacekeepers and hold the fighting and hold the Azerbaijani offensive and this will have to, of course, come with some sort of political deal,” he explained.

There have been two attempts at a ceasefire over the past month by Russia and a third attempt brokered by the U.S. over the weekend. All of the agreements have broken soon after their conceptions after reports of violations on both sides.

Hauer said if the fighting continues and Azerbaijan captures Nagorno-Karabakh militarily, he believes there will be mass ethnic cleansing of Armenians there. He said that is why it’s so important for the international community to become involved to help enforce a lasting peace agreement on the ground.

“There needs to be some hard international action taken to bring the both bring both sides of the table,” he said. “This will grind on for months yet if there’s no international action on it.”

Stanton agrees that international intervention is necessary, which is why he said Genocide Watch is calling for Russia and the U.S. to broker a peace agreement with Armenia and Azerbaijan and for the creation of a United Nations peacekeeping force to be positioned in the disputed territory.

“What it takes is political will,” he said.

With files from The Associated Press and AFP

PM calls Mike Pompeo’s attention to the fact of Azerbaijan’s violation of ceasefire agreement

October 28, 2020March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

19:44,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Armenian Prime Minister called his interlocutor’s attention to the fact that Azerbaijan broke the ceasefire agreement reached in Washington. Nikol Pashinyan stressed that this is the third time Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire agreement, thus ignoring the Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Artsakh will remain standing because our spirit is unbreakable, our will is unshakable – Pashinyan

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 Emil Lazarian

21:14,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime MInister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed the nation. ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan said in his address,

”Dear people,

Proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

Proud citizens of the Republic of Artsakh, proud Armenians of the Diaspora,

Brothers and sisters,

It’s already a month that the Turkish-Azerbaijani-terrorist forces are waging war against Artsakh and Armenians.

Thousands of bombs, rockets and drones fell like a rain on Artsakh’s army and the civilian population.

The adversary attacked with tanks, warplanes, helicopters, Azerbaijanis, terrorists, mercenaries, special units of Turkey and Pakistan.

A month ago they had plans of destroying and bringing Artsakh to the knees quickly.

But today Artsakh is standing, even though wounded, and this is first of all due to our heroic army, our heroic people, our heroic individuals.

This cruel but heroic process gives us confidence. Artsakh will stand because our spirit is unbreakable, our will is unshakable.

The war has entered a phase when every second of its continuation makes the adversary skid, who treacherously violates the ceasefire every time, destroying his illusions.

The Azerbaijani military-political leadership has nourished its own public with news of victory so much that they have been waiting for the news of the fall of Artsakh every day, every minute and second, for their final and irreversible victory.

But the Azerbaijani public will never receive that news and the endless expectation for this news will ruin the Azerbaijani plan of conquering Artsakh.

The people of Artsakh, the Armenian people, all the Armenians will fight relentlessly, for each tree, each stone, each centimeter and each millimeter and the counter-blow inflicted at the proper moment will have devastating effect for the adversary.

And it is the task of the Artsakh Defense Army to make this very moment mature, and we must support the Artsakh Republic and the Defense Army in everything, stand with the Republic of Artsakh and the Defense Army.

For solving the mentioned issues we need exceptional national consolidation and discipline. Martial law must operate unconditionally and without discussion, especially in combat conditions. Those who do not comply with military commands, those who hesitate to carry out the commands must be severely punished, held accountable and also be subjected to public dispraise.

Nothing should become an excuse for them, because the fate of the homeland and the people is at stake and we cannot allow the loss of Artsakh or the eviction of Armenians.

Dear people,

I know that my yesterday’s speech caused many contradictory assessments. Frankly speaking, it may seem strange but I am happy for that. That speech had two goals – show the international community the constructiveness of the Armenian sides, and also the determination of the Armenian people in the context of relentless struggle for the rights of Artsakh.

Both tasks have been fully solved, in a little strange manner, but quite effectively. I want to thank all of you for your determination.

Our task now is to shift the energy resulted by my yesterday’s speech into a concrete move. Everyone for Artsakh, everything for Artsakh. This is the logic that should work these days.

These days, the whole system of public administration is working to eliminate organizational gaps, to make the actions of each unit more effective.

Our capacities are not endless, but Artsakh’s Defense Army has enough weapons and potential for solving its tasks. Yes, we have many enemies in the world, but we also have friends, who stand with us during hard times. Grateful Armenian people will never forget that, will never forget.

And particularly under this light we must reinforce our will, unite our determination, promote our determination and devotion, substantiate our decision of protecting our people, right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination with practical works.

This war must become for each of us an absolute and irreplaceable priority and we will win.

The understanding of Karabakh conflict has significantly changed in the world. The main international actors now accept and openly declare that Azerbaijan and Turkey are the aggressive side. The fight of terrorists and mercenaries from the Azerbaijani side is already a proven fact in the world.

This was possible including due to the correct diplomatic efforts and our public constructive highlights. They show that like in the past, Azerbaijan is not ready for compromise and this fact legitimizes the right of the Armenian people to fight to the end, win and enjoy the victory.

Let us agree that we will not be afraid of anything. We will not allow any internal or external force to sow doubt in our free and happy future. We will not be discouraged even from our mistakes, drawbacks, failures.

All these will not shift our above-mentioned strategy, because

We lost, we lost many times,

And saw the sneer of the lie,

But our will is stronger than stone,

Our spirit does not know how to surrender.

Armenian people, we are winners. Go and take your victory, shape your victory. Never doubt that the government you have elected has not deviated from its work and responsibility of showing you the way to this victory for any minute or second.

Long live Freedom!

Long live the Republic of Armenia,

Long live the Republic of Artsakh,

Long live the Armenian army!

And long live our children who will live in a free and happy Armenia,

free and happy in Artsakh. Thank you”:

Donald Trump expresses disappointment for non-fulfillment of NK ceasefire agreements

October 28, 2020March 12, 2026 Chmshkian Vicken

22:22,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he is disappointed for non-fulfillment of the ceasefire agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports Trump told the reporters.

Donald Trump emphasized that the conflict has lasted long years. ”Yes, it’s dissapointing to see that. ”This is what happenes when you have countries that have been going at it for a long time. It”ll get beck together”, he said.

Despite the new ceasefire that was supposed to take effect 08:00 October 26, the Azerbaijani forces launched renewed attacks. The Azeri military also bombarded a village, killing 1 civilian and wounding two others.