2023-09-20 10:44:35
► The Pope calls to “silence the weapons”
Pope Francis called on Wednesday September 20 to “silence the guns” in Nagorno-Karabakh, the day after Azerbaijan launched a major military operation in this disputed region with Armenia.
“Yesterday I received worrying news from (Nagorno-Karabakh) where the already critical humanitarian situation has been aggravated by new armed clashes”the pope said at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
“I appeal to all parties involved and the international community to silence the guns and that all necessary efforts be made to find peaceful solutions for the good of people and respect for human dignity”added the Pope.
► At least 29 dead and 7,000 residents evacuated from Nagorno Karabakh
The fighting launched on Tuesday in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan, three years after a war which resulted in a military rout of Armenia, has already left 29 dead. Separatists reported 27 deaths, including two civilians, and more than 200 injured, while around 7,000 residents of 16 localities were evacuated.
Azerbaijan, for its part, reported that two civilians had died in areas under its control. Sixty Armenian positions were conquered there, Baku announced in the evening. Separatists say several towns in Nagorno-Karabakh, including its capital Stepanakert, are targeted by “intensive shooting”which also target civil infrastructure.
► Stepanakert town hall calls on civilians to shelter and not flee
The town hall of the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert, on Wednesday September 20 called on its residents to stay in shelters and not flee. “There is no need to leave at this time, we ask that you respect the safety rules and stay in the basements and bomb shelters”, asked the town hall in a press release. She adds that she “will provide additional information if evacuation (should) prove necessary”.
► The UN calls for an “immediate end to the fighting”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “immediate cessation of fighting” In the region. “The Secretary General calls in the strongest terms for an immediate end to the fighting, de-escalation and stricter respect for the 2020 ceasefire and the principles of international humanitarian law”indicated in a press release its spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
The resumption of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, with France calling for a meeting “emergency” of the Security Council to take note of an offensive “illegal” et “unjustifiable” led by Baku.
► Azerbaijan demands that Armenian separatists “lay down their arms”
Azerbaijan’s offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh will stop if Armenian separatists “lay down their arms”said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, during a telephone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“The (Azerbaijani) head of state affirmed that anti-terrorism measures will be stopped if (Armenian separatists) lay down their arms and are disarmed”indicated the Azerbaijani presidency in a press release published on Wednesday, specifying that the interview with Antony Blinken took place on Tuesday.
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