Azerbaijan has announced the launch of “anti-terrorist operations” in Nagorno-Karabakh, three years after its war with Armenia over the disputed region. Tensions have been mounting between the two countries, with Azerbaijan blaming Armenian separatists for mine explosions that killed six Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. The Azerbaijani defense ministry stated that “localised anti-terrorist measures” are being taken, using high precision weapons. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh has been ongoing for decades, with the breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan says launching “anti-terror operations” in Karabakh
Azerbaijan has announced the launch of “anti-terror operations” in Nagorno-Karabakh, almost three years after the war with Armenia over the disputed mountainous region. The move comes after tensions have been rising between the two countries and following the deaths of six Azerbaijanis in mine explosions in Karabakh, which Azerbaijan blamed on Armenian separatists. The Azerbaijani defense ministry stated that it is using high precision weapons as part of the operations. The conflict over Karabakh has been ongoing for decades, with the region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Tensions escalate and mine explosions lead to fatalities
Baku has accused Armenian separatists of “systemic shelling” and the mining of Azerbaijani territories in Karabakh. It claims that violations of the Russian-brokered ceasefire have been a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. Azerbaijan aims to suppress large-scale provocations, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces from its territories, and ensure the safety of the civilian population. Earlier, four policemen and two civilians were killed in mine explosions, and mass shelling was reported in the Armenian separatist stronghold of Stepanakert.
The history of the conflict over Karabakh
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has a long history. Both countries have engaged in wars in the 1990s and in 2020. Azerbaijan regained control of pockets of Karabakh in a six-week war last year, with the fighting ending through a Russian-brokered peace deal. However, tensions have persisted, leading to the recent escalation and the launch of anti-terror operations by Azerbaijan.
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