Title: Military Operation in Nagorno-Karabakh Leads to 32 Deaths and 200 Injuries
Subtitle: Azerbaijan launches “anti-terrorist” campaign in ethnic Armenian enclave
Date: [Insert Date]
CNN – At least 32 people have been killed and 200 others wounded in a military operation conducted by Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to an official in Armenian-controlled territory. The operation, described by Azerbaijan’s defense ministry as an “anti-terrorist” campaign, has reignited tensions in the region and raised concerns about a potential escalation of violence.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region, an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan, has been a source of conflict between the two nations, leading to two wars in the past three decades. The most recent war took place in 2020. Gegham Stepanyan, the ombudsman in Nagorno-Karabakh, reported that at least seven civilians, including two children, were among the casualties. He also mentioned that the regional capital of Stepanakert had been heavily bombarded.
The tensions escalated after Azerbaijani troops blockaded the Lachin corridor in December 2020, cutting off the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and causing a humanitarian crisis for its population of approximately 120,000 people. Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region under the terms of a ceasefire agreement brokered in 2020 to prevent a new conflict. However, Russia has been accused of being ineffective in protecting Armenia from ongoing aggression by Azerbaijan.
The Karabakh authorities have requested immediate talks with Azerbaijan as shelling continues in the region. Azerbaijan’s Presidency stated that it is willing to meet with Karabakh Armenians, but only if “illegal Armenian armed groups raise the white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime is dissolved.”
Both sides have made conflicting claims regarding the developments in the conflict, and CNN has not been able to independently verify the information provided by either party.
Azerbaijan’s political adviser, Hikmet Hajiyev, downplayed reports of civilian casualties and referred to them as “collateral damage.” According to Hajiyev, the military operation began in response to landmine explosions within Azerbaijan that resulted in the death of six people, including two civilians and four police officers.
Armenia’s foreign ministry rejected Azerbaijan’s claims and stated that Armenia’s assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh is purely humanitarian. Armenian news agency Armenpress reported that Nagorno-Karabakh’s army is displaying “resolute resistance” to Azerbaijani military advances.
The sudden escalation of the conflict has raised concerns internationally. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called it “Russia at play” and urged a cessation of activities. The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed deep concern and called for Azerbaijan to immediately stop its military actions.
Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, defended Baku’s actions, stating that the continuation of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia is the only way to establish peace and stability in the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called for an end to the bloodshed and urged the conflicting parties to pursue a political and diplomatic resolution. Russian peacekeepers have evacuated over 2,000 civilians to provide them with temporary shelter and medical assistance.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan criticized Russia for not alerting his government about Azerbaijan’s plans for military action, stating that Azerbaijan aims to subject the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.
The situation remains highly volatile and with the potential for further escalation unless negotiations resume to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.