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Category: 2021

Armenian, Cypriot, and Kurdish groups condemn Turkish aggression in Kurdistan

Emil Lazarian
The Canary
July 30 2021

Joe Glenton

Armenian, Cypriot, and Kurdish organisations have condemned Turkish aggression in Kurdistan. In a press release, they called for sanctions and diplomatic efforts to stop the Turkish assault on the region.

Signatories included Elif Sarican, co-chair of the Kurdish People’s Democratic Assembly of Britain; Christos Karaolis, president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK; and Annette Moskofian, chair of the Armenian National Committee UK.

Bombings of refugee camps and border villages have already been carried out, the groups said. And they warned that the Turkish authorities were also trying to cause conflict between Kurdish groups in the region.

They said the Turkish government launched its assault on Kurdish land on 24 April, the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The genocide began in 1915, with some estimates putting the number of people murdered or expelled at 1.5 million.

The letter cited the recent Azerbaijan-Armenian war:

In light of Turkish support for Azerbaijan in the 44-day war with Armenia last year, the Turkish state’s general stance in its bordering regions can only be described as aggressive. Further, persistent reports show that the Turkish military deploys chemical weapons and uses jihadist mercenaries in conjunction with their own military efforts. 

The groups said they also feared a repeat of Turkey’s past actions in Cyprus:

Following Turkey’s devastating invasion of Cyprus in 1974, we are worried about the possibility of history repeating itself if the UK doesn’t do more. Turkey is a fellow NATO country to the UK, and therefore these military actions must be of concern to the Government. 

They called on the UK government to stop the assault through diplomatic pressure.

We urge the Government to use its diplomatic position to stop the invasion and prevent an intra-Kurdish war. We particularly ask for the Government to put in place sanctions to be lifted only when Turkey ceases its military operations in South Kurdistan.

The communities speaking out for Kurdistan have all been affected by Turkish aggression in the past. And they fear that history will repeat unless pressure is put on the current Turkish regime.

Featured image Via Wikimedia Commons/Mahmut Bozarslan

Deadly clashes at Armenia’s border; US House looks to block military aid to Azerbaijan

Yeghisabet Arthur
eKathimerini, Greece
July 30 2021

Podcast:
Newsroom

July 30, 2021 30.07.2021 • 15:57

Armenia’s government said on Wednesday that three of its soldiers were killed after Azeri forces attacked Armenian positions near the border where clashes have become more frequent despite a ceasefire agreed to after Azerbaijan’s assault on Nagorno Karabakh last fall. Both sides later accepted a Russian ceasefire proposal to try to calm tensions.

Meanwhile, this week the US House of Representatives expressed concern over President Biden’s waiver of Section 907 restrictions on US aid to Azerbaijan, called for more US assistance to Armenia, and passed an amendment to block foreign military and training aid to Azerbaijan. 

Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee, joins The Greek Current to break down these latest developments.

Listen to the Podcast at the link below

US House approves military aid cut to Azerbaijan while urging a boost for Armenia

Jane Topchian
The National, UAE
July 29 2021
Joyce Karam
Jul 29, 2021

The US House of Representatives has unanimously passed a legislative amendment that would partially cut military aid to Azerbaijan following the country’s offensive against Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region last year.

Proposed by Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone for the 2022 budget, the amendment was passed late Wednesday and states that “none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this act under ‘International Military Education and Training’ and ‘Foreign Military Financing Programme’ may be made available for Azerbaijan”.

US security aid to Azerbaijan had increased to $100 million per year in 2019 under former president Donald Trump.

The Pallone Amendment blames this assistance for empowering Baku’s destabilising policies.

“The more than $120m in military aid the US has recklessly provided Azerbaijan has emboldened the tyrannical regime in Baku, materially empowering their ethnic cleansing in Artsakh last September and encouraging Baku to continue invading and occupying Armenian land today,” the amendment read.

But the amendment does not block the discretionary assistance the US Department of Defence provides to Azerbaijan.

It also includes language that would require Secretary of State Antony Blinken to consider “the military balance between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the diplomatic consequences of such disparity in military assistance” when issuing next year’s waiver allowing for US security assistance to be sent to Baku.

A report accompanying the amendment calls for boosting aid to Armenia “for economic development, private sector productivity, energy independence, democracy and the rule of law, and other purposes”.

Ryan Bohl, a security analyst at the intelligence firm Stratfor, said the bipartisan support for the amendment “reflects rising pro-Armenia sentiment in Congress”, even though the scope of the bill is limited.

“It’s symbolic of the return of human rights in American foreign policy under Joe Biden,” he said.

President Joe Biden recognised the Armenian Genocide last April, in a further display of the pro-Armenia mood in the US government. But the White House has been more cautious when it comes to aid to Azerbaijan.

Last April, Mr Biden extended a waiver allowing for US assistance to Azerbaijan under Section 907.

READ MORE
US Congress puts the squeeze on military aid to Azerbaijan
Beyond the Headlines: will Azerbaijan’s victory in Nagorno-Karabakh lead to lasting peace?

Mr Bohl said that the Biden administration wants to preserve critical interests with Baku.

“Azerbaijan is warm to Israel and warm to the US against Russia and Iran. While it’s not a close relationship, Washington sees the geostrategic position of Baku as something they should try to keep in their back pocket and not necessarily fully sacrifice over human rights,” the expert explained.

On Wednesday night, the US State Department issued a statement calling for a halt to the fighting that recently resumed in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to uphold their ceasefire commitments by taking immediate steps to de-escalate the situation,” department spokesman Ned Price said.

He also urged both sides to return to the negotiating table under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group to achieve a long-term political settlement to the conflict.

The Pallone Amendment will now go to the Senate for a vote as part of the full foreign aid spending bill before it becomes law.

Reports of incidents along Armenia-Azerbaijan border cause grave concern – OSCE Chair

Garnik Zakarian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 30 2021
 

Reports of repeated incidents along Armenia-Azerbaijan border causes grave concern, OSCE Chairperson in Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Ann Linde said in a Twitter post.

“Urge sides to build on recent humanitarian steps and implement November 9 statement in full to address unresolved issues peacefully,” she added.

Three Armenian servicemen were killed, four were wounded as Azerbaijan undertook an offence in the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact.

A number of Azerbaijani UAVs have been spotted trying to enter the Armenian airspace over the past two days. An Aerostar drone was downed near Vardenis late on Thursday.

 

Azerbaijani forces fire at Armenian positions located in Yeraskh section of the border

Ani Basmajian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 30 2021
 

On July 30, the Azerbaijani armed forces once again resorted to provocation in the direction of Nakhichevan on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Ministry of Defense reports.

In particular, from 11:20 to 11:30, the Azerbaijani units opened fire on the Armenian positions located in the Yeraskh section using sniper rifles and firearms of various calibers.

The enemy’s fire was silenced by retaliatory actions. There are no victims from the Armenian side.

MEPs issue statement on deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Ekmekjian Janet
Public Radio of Armenia
July 30 2021

Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND, the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey KOVATCHEV, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana ZOVKO, have issued a joint statement on the deadly clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan

 “We deplore the death of three Armenian servicemen on 28 July in clashes with Azerbaijani forces at Armenia’s Gegharkunik province border after Armenian positions and several villages were reportedly fired at since early morning, and express our deep condolences to their families. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of incidents or provocations over the last months, including violations of the inter-state border that began with the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May. The recent exchange of fire at the Nakhchivan border, where another Armenian soldier died, was no less concerning,” the statement reads.

We call on both sides to strictly observe the ceasefire and refrain from any provocations. Any possible disagreements about the border must be addressed through negotiations in a border delimitation and demarcation process, not through the use of force and unilateral actions. All forces need to pull back to positions held before 12 May and in line with the provisions of the Tripartite Ceasefire Statement. To de-escalate the situation, it is of utmost importance that inflammatory rhetoric ceases immediately. In this context, we condemn in particular recent statements by Azerbaijani representatives regarding so-called ‘West Zangezur’ and referring to the territory of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani ‘ancestral land’. Such statements are highly irresponsible and threaten to undermine regional security further.

We recall the EU’s commitment to support confidence-building measures and the addressing of any issues at the negotiating table, including through the resumption of negotiations on a lasting conflict settlement and the future status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.”

UK Government responds to Azerbaijan’s encroachment on the village of Yeraskh in Armenia

Hambik Zargarian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 30 2021
 

Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has responded to a question by Member of the House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox regarding the Azerbaijani attacks on Armenia.

Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of an encroachment by the armed forces of Azerbaijan into the village of Yeraskh in Armenia on 19 July.

“The UK Government is aware of the ongoing tensions along the Armenia and Azerbaijan border. We continue to urge both sides to refrain from rhetoric or actions which may exacerbate the situation and to engage in urgent discussions to ensure a peaceful resolution to the current tensions,” Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said in response.

Sports: ​Mkhitaryan and Pepe clash in Porto v Roma

Chalian Meline
Public Radio of Armenia
July 29 2021

Mkhitaryan and Pepe clash in Porto v Roma


The pre-season friendly between Porto and Roma descended into an ugly brawl when Pepe fouled Henrikh Mkhitaryan, sparking a furious reaction, Football Italia reports.

Pepe had been leaving his foot in several times already during the game, with both coaches Jose Mourinho and Sergio Conceicao repeatedly complaining to the referee.

It erupted at the 64th minute, with Roma 1-0 up through a Gianluca Mancini diving header, when Pepe barged Mkhitaryan over in midfield with an arm raised to his face.

The Armenia international was absolutely furious and reacted angrily, trying to kick out at Portugal international defender Pepe.

Suddenly, everyone piled in, including members of the bench and staff, trying to pull various players apart.

This included Edin Dzeko, who from the touchline was heard saying to Pepe: “Bravo, you’re 1-0 down, now go and cry.”

The referee called a cooling break to calm the situation down, while players continued to discuss the situation in much more civilised terms.

Wisely, Mourinho then immediately substituted Mkhitaryan after the five-minute break in play.

Infiltration of Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenia’s sovereign territory, attacks on Armenian defense position escalated the situation: Armenia MFA

Emil Lazarian
Aysor, Armenia
July 30 2021

We welcome the approaches of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship regarding the resumption of the peace process, presented in their joint statement issued on July 29, Armenia’s MFA said in a statement.

“In the joint statements of December 3, 2020 and April 13, 2021, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the High Representative of the Co-Chair countries clearly outlined the priority issues of the peace process, which can create a basis for negotiations.

The statement of the Co-Chairs once again demonstrates that the key to regional peace and security is the comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The infiltration of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia since May 12, and the attacks on the Armenian defense positions in recent days have escalated the situation. Armenia has always acted in the spirit of de-escalation by making concrete proposals to this end, particularly, to withdraw military units to the initial positions as of May 11.

We are confident that the specified assessment of Azerbaijan’s actions will help to overcome the current tense situation.”

Armenia downs Azerbaijani Aerostar drone

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia
July 30 2021

The air defense units of the Armenian army shot down an Aerostar UAV belonging to the Azerbaijani military, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported on Friday.

The wreckage of the drone fell 3.5 km north of the village of Vanevan in Gegharkunik Province, it said.

The Defense Ministry said earlier that starting from 11pm Thursday, the air defense units of the Armenian military thwarted attempts by Azerbaijani UAVs to enter the airspace of Armenia on the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“Once again, we urge the Armenian media outlets and social media users not to disseminate unverified, moreover, deliberately distorted information that causes panic, and to be guided exclusively by the official statements of the Defense Ministry,” the ministry said.

The Armenian troops fully fulfil the tasks set for them, it added.