Azerbaijan has launched a full-scale military attack on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, plunging the area into a state of crisis reminiscent of past conflicts. The Azerbaijani forces, supported by artillery attacks, surged into the Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh, vowing to continue their operation until Armenian forces surrender. This move has stirred concerns of a new war in the ethnically Armenian region, which has been a longstanding flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union. While internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, Nagorno-Karabakh has remained under separatist Armenian authorities, who consider it their ancestral homeland.
Yerevan’s Strong Condemnation
Armenia swiftly condemned the attacks, characterizing them as another large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the intent of ethnic cleansing. Armenia’s Foreign Ministry expressed its concerns, highlighting the dire consequences for the residents of the region. It called upon members of the UN Security Council to intervene and requested Russian peacekeepers, deployed following the 2020 conflict, to play a role in stabilizing the situation.
Unprecedented Military Offensive Unfolds
Azerbaijan’s defense ministry justified its actions as an “anti-terrorist operation” aimed at disarming Armenian forces and securing their withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories. The operation has already seen the seizure of over 60 military posts and the destruction of numerous military vehicles and hardware. However, the scale of casualties remains unclear, with conflicting reports. A separatist Armenian human rights official in Nagorno-Karabakh reported 25 casualties, including two civilians, though this information has not been independently verified.
Hikmet Hajiyev, the foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, stated that Baku had initiated “local but limited counter-terrorism measures.” He acknowledged that collateral damage could occur, attributing it to the use of civilians as “human shields” by Armenian forces. Azerbaijan vowed to continue its operation until Armenian military units surrender and relinquish their weapons.
International Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
As news of the military offensive spread, the international community reacted swiftly. The United States expressed deep concern, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken set to engage in crisis diplomacy to defuse the situation. The European Union, France, and Germany strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s military action, advocating for an immediate return to negotiations regarding the future of the region.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized the need to prevent the forced exodus of the local population, urging a return to dialogue. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate cessation of the offensive and a resumption of discussions to secure a just and lasting peace in the region. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Azerbaijan to halt the shelling and return to the negotiating table, labeling the military action a breach of promise.
The international community’s united front underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. As tensions continue to rise, diplomatic efforts are crucial in preventing further escalation and preserving the stability of the region.
