Azerbaijan started an “anti-terrorism” campaign in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday. File Photo by Maxim Shipenov/EPA-EFE
Azerbaijan announced on Tuesday that it has opened an “anti-terrorism” campaign in Armenian-held positions in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Bombing in the regional capital of Stepanakert, which Armenia calls Artsakh, threatens to restart the deadly 2020 war between the countries that led to Azerbaijan taking land from Armenia in the region. Advertisement
One video showed air raid sirens blaring in Stepanakert along with the sound of artillery fire. Another video appeared to show drones from Azerbaijan being used to hit Armenian anti-air defense positions.
Azerbaijan’s defense ministry on Tuesday said its goal was to “suppress large-scale provocations” in the region and would evacuate local Armenians.
“As part of the measures, positions on the frontline and in-depth, long-term firing points of the formations of Armenia’s armed forces, as well as combat assets and military facilities are incapacitated using high-precision weapons,” the ministry said.
A Russian-led cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was signed after intense fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh went on in 2020. That deal, though, has all but fallen apart with Azerbaijani forces taking control of the vital Lachin Corridor.
In April, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the corridor, the sole land link between Armenia and the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region, sparking outrage in Yerevan. Advertisement
The region has been a flashpoint for the two countries for years. While internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, the contested border area is predominately populated with Armenians and attempted to declare its independence in 1991.
