BFF-32 Fierce fighting in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh

478

ZCZC

BFF-32

AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA-CONFLICT-KARABAKH,CHRONO

Fierce fighting in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh

PARIS, Oct 9, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region
of Azerbaijan mainly inhabited by Armenians and backed by Yerevan, has
been the scene of deadly clashes for the past two weeks.

According to an official, but partial toll, more than 400 have been
killed in the clashes, among them 22 Armenian and 31 Azerbaijani
civilians.

Here is a timeline:

– ‘Counter-offensive’ –

Armenia and Azerbaijan, two former Soviet republics in the Caucasus,
have accused each other of initiating deadly clashes, the worst since
2016, that broke out on September 27 in their decades-long territorial
dispute.

Ethnic Armenian separatists seized the Nagorno-Karabakh region from
Baku in a 1990s war that claimed 30,000 lives. Since then, clashes
have been a regular occurrence between Azerbaijani troops and the
rebels, but also between Baku and Yerevan.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said it launched a “counter offensive
to suppress Armenia’s combat activity and ensure the safety of the
population.”

The enclave’s separatist authorities claimed the troops had carried
out a bombing campaign, including against regional capital
Stepanakert.

From the announcement of the first clashes, Armenian Prime Minister
Nikol Pashinyan and Nagorno-Karabakh authorities declare martial law
and military mobilisation.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev promises to win against Armenian
and separatist forces. Martial law is declared as well as a curfew in
the capital and several cities.

– Turkish president weighs in –

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is a firm
supporter of Azerbaijan and has poor relations with Armenia, on
September 28 calls on Armenia to end its “occupation” of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Karabakh authorities say they have regained positions lost the
day before, whereas Azerbaijan says it has made gains. Both sides
claim to have inflicted heavy losses on the other.

– ‘Fuel to the flames’ –

On the 29, Armenia says a Turkish F-16 fighter jet had shot down one
of its warplanes after taking off from Azerbaijan.

Turkey denies the claim, while Moscow urges Ankara not to “add fuel
to the flames” in encouraging Baku in its military campaign.

In the evening the United Nations Security Council calls unanimously
on the two sides to “immediately stop fighting”.

– Regional conflagration fears –

On September 30, Russia says that fighters from Syria and Libya are
being deployed to the conflict and that it is “deeply concerned” by
the development.

“The real enemy is Turkey,” the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh says.

Azerbaijan’s leader vows to pursue military action against Armenian
separatists until a full Armenian withdrawal from the disputed
territory.

On October 1, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces intensify their shelling.

The presidents of Russia, the United States and France call for a
ceasefire, urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to commit to talks without
delay.

– Stepanakert bombarded –

On October 2, regional capital Stepanakert comes under heavy
shelling which leaves many injured among the civilian population and
material damage, according to Yerevan.

Armenia expresses readiness to work with international mediators to
clinch a ceasefire with Azerbaijan.

On October 4, fighting intensifies over Nagorno-Karabakh with both
Stepanakert and Ganja in western Azerbaijan under fire.

– ‘Tragedy ‘ –

On October 6, Armenia’s Pashinyan says Turkey’s encouragement of
Azerbaijan is to blame for the outbreak of fighting and is confident
of Russian support.

The following day, Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for an end
to the ongoing “tragedy”.

The separatist authorities say that half of the enclave’s some
140,000 inhabitants have been displaced, of which 90 percent are women
and children.

– Towards a ceasefire – On October 8, the Ghazanchetsots (Holy
Saviour) Cathedral, an iconic site for the Armenian Apostolic Church,
is bombed.

Azerbaijan denies its forces have shelled the cathedral.

On the 9, France announces that the two sides are moving “towards a
truce tonight or tomorrow but it’s still fragile”.

Armenia and Azerbaijan hold their first high-level talks in Moscow.

BSS/AFP/MRU/2257hrs