Category: 2021

ANKARA

The Armenian armed forces once again opened fire on the Azerbaijani army positions on the border Tuesday, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The Azerbaijani army positions in the Yellija and Barmagbina settlements of the Kalbajar region, Galakend, Daryurd, Novoivanovka, Garaveliler settlements of the Gadabay region, Aghbulag, Aghdam, Garalar, Gosha, Kokhanebi, Hajally, Alibeyli, and Asrik Jirdakhan settlements of the Tovuz region, as well as Kohnegishlag settlement of the Aghstafa region, were subjected to intensive fire, the ministry said in a statement.

Armenian troops used various caliber weapons to target the army positions, the statement said.

“Azerbaijani forces took adequate retaliatory measures,” it said, adding that the operational situation is currently under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces.

In a later statement, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Armenian forces have carried out “large-scale provocations” against the combat posts of the Azerbaijani army in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions of the state border.

“Armenian military formations launched a sudden military operation in order to capture the high grounds in this direction of the state border and take more advantageous positions, thereby gaining military superiority,” the statement said.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attacks, it noted.

Armenian forces, using weapons of various caliber and grenade launchers, also caused material damages at the combat posts.

The Azerbaijani army immediately carried out an emergency operation, the statement also said, adding that the movement of the Armenian forces was blocked, while its forces and means were damaged.

Armenian soldiers were detained, and a large number of weapons and ammunition were seized.

From an operational-tactical point of view, the attack carried out by the Armenian military units seeking to gain a short-term superiority through large-scale provocations completely failed, the statement added.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

The fighting ended with a Russia-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

MOSCOW

Armenia asked Russia on Tuesday to defend its territory from Azerbaijan under the terms of a 1997 treaty on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance.

Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, told a local Public TV channel that a formal request is being prepared and will be sent to Russia soon.

The two countries inked the landmark treaty on August 29, 1997, and Article 3 provides for possibility of military assistance in case of aggression against either of the treaty’s signatories.

He expressed Armenia’s hope that if talks with Azerbaijan fail, Russia will provide “sufficient military assistance.”

Liberation of Karabakh

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade occupation.

Last Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

On Jan. 11, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

Prior to this victory, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years.

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar held a telephone conversation Tuesday with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, to discuss Azerbaijan-Armenia tension.

Hasanov informed Akar about recent tension at the Armenian border, stressing that Armenia’s “provocation was prevented,” according to a statement by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Akar stressed that Turkey, as always, stands by Azerbaijan, the statement added.

Armenian armed forces once again opened fire on Azerbaijani army positions on the border Tuesday, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attack, it noted.

Relations between the former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

During a 44-day conflict that started in late September last year, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and 300 settlements and villages that were illegally occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

WASHINGTON

The UN is urging dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan after recent clashes on their borders, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Farhan Haq, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a news conference that the UN is following with concern the reports of the latest violence between the two neighbors.

“At this point, we urge all sides to exercise restraint to act in accordance with the ninth of November and 11th of January trilateral statements and address any related concerns peacefully through dialogue,” said Haq, referring to the agreement between the two countries and Russia.

“We want to avoid any return to the sort of escalation we had earlier,” he added.

The UN call came after Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani army positions on the border Tuesday, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The ministry said Armenian forces have carried out “large-scale provocations” against the combat posts of the Azerbaijani army in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions of the state border.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attacks.

The Azerbaijani army immediately carried out an emergency operation, the statement said, adding that the movement of the Armenian forces was blocked, while its forces and means were damaged.

*Betul Yuruk in New York contributed to the story

MOSCOW

The clashes on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border ceased, according to defense ministries of Russia and Armenia on Tuesday.

Azerbaijan and Armenia took steps to stabilize the situation on their borders, said a written statement by the Russian Defense Ministry.

It said the clashes in Karakilise have ceased and the situation is currently back to normal and under control.

“As of 5.30 p.m (1330GMT) with the mediation of Russia, a cease-fire was declared on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border,” the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the tension on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Putin and Pashinyan agreed to stay in contact, the Kremlin said in a written statement.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said earlier in a statement that the Armenian forces have carried out “large-scale provocations” against the combat posts of the Azerbaijani army in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions of the state border, while two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attacks.

The Azerbaijani army immediately carried out an emergency operation, the statement said, adding that the movement of the Armenian forces was blocked and its forces and means were damaged.

BAKU, Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev held discussions Tuesday with European Council President Charles Michel on the latest tensions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.

Michel expressed his concern over recent events on the border in the telephone call, according to a statement from the Azerbaijani presidency. 

Aliyev said Armenia repeatedly resorted to military provocations in the direction of Shusha, Lachin and Kalbajar with the latest large-scale attack Tuesday, the statement said.

Noting that there were injuries on the Azerbaijani side, he said the necessary response was given to Armenia’s provocation.

Aliyev said all responsibility for the current tensions rested with the Yerevan administration.

During the conversation, the pair exchanged views on the prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said the Armenian armed forces once again opened fire on Azerbaijani army positions on the border.

Azerbaijani army positions in the Yellija and Barmagbina settlements of the Kalbajar region, the Galakend, Daryurd, Novoivanovka and Garaveliler settlements of the Gadabay region and the Aghbulag, Aghdam, Garalar, Gosha, Kokhanebi, Hajally, Alibeyli and Asrik Jirdakhan settlements of the Tovuz region as well as the Kohnegishlag settlement of the Aghstafa region were subjected to intensive fire, it said in a statement.

It noted that two Azerbaijani soldiers were wounded in the attacks.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

The fighting ended with a Russia-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

Armenia announced a cease-fire on the border with Azerbaijan, according to defense ministries of Russia and Armenia on Tuesday.

Azerbaijan and Armenia took steps to stabilize the situation on their borders, said a written statement by the Russian Defense Ministry.

It said the clashes in Karakilise have ceased and the situation is currently back to normal and under control.

“As of 5.30 p.m (1330GMT) with the mediation of Russia, a cease-fire was declared on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border,” the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the tension on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Putin and Pashinian agreed to stay in contact, the Kremlin said in a written statement.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov told Russian Counterpart Sergei Shoigu that Azerbaijan will continue to stop military provocations by Armenia, as Yerevan announced that it has declared a cease-fire after carrying out attacks on the Lachin and Kalbajar areas.

In the phone call, Shoigu told Hasanov that Russia was ready to stop Armenia’s military operations near the border and ensure stability.

Armenia’s defense ministry said that a cease-fire had been announced at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border after Russia’s mediation, following a clash at the frontier, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

Armenia has been attacking Azerbaijani positions to take over some areas and has been shelling the positions. Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in attacks, and Azerbaijan has taken the Armenian soldiers who carried out the attacks hostage, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

Shoigu also held a phone call with his Armenian counterpart, the Interfax news agency quoted his ministry as saying on Tuesday.

Armenia asked Russia to help defend it against Azerbaijan, after a border clash in which it said 15 of its soldiers had been killed, 12 were captured and two combat positions had been lost. According to Azerbaijan, workers were shot at by Armenian forces two days ago as they built border fortifications.

Meanwhile, EU chief Charles Michel urged the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to call a “full cease-fire” after escalation on the border.

Michel, the president of the European Council, said he had spoken to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of Armenia.

Michel did not apportion blame for the “challenging situation in the region,” but demanded an “urgent de-escalation and full cease-fire.”

“EU is committed to work with partners to overcome tensions for a prosperous and stable South Caucasus,” he tweeted.

The United Nations also urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to “exercise restraint” after border clashes.

At the U.N., deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said: “We urge all sides to exercise restraint … and address any related concerns peacefully through dialogue.”

“We want to avoid any return to the sort of escalation we had earlier,” Haq added.

Earlier, Armenia had reported that some of its troops had been killed and that it had lost control of two military positions near the Azerbaijan border.

Azerbaijan accused Armenia of provoking the clash by attacking positions, and said two of its own soldiers were wounded.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

The latest large-scale clashes erupted in the Karabakh region on Sept. 27, 2020, when the Armenian Army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

Azerbaijan then launched a counteroffensive operation, later dubbed “Iron Fist,” which led to the 44-day conflict ending with the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the nearly three-decade occupation of Armenian forces.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade Armenian occupation.