Azerbaijan announces that it is proceeding with Russia to “demilitarize” the region’s forces

2023-09-23 17:52:01
Trucks belonging to Russian soldiers head towards the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, near the village of Kornidzor, September 23, 2023. IRAKLI GEDENIDZE / REUTERS

Azerbaijan announced on Saturday September 23 that it would carry out a “demilitarization” forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, a secessionist region mainly populated by Armenians where Azerbaijani forces won a lightning victory at the start of the week.

“In close cooperation with Russian peacekeepers, we are carrying out demilitarization” separatist troops and bring “support for civilians”declared to the press, Anar Eyvazov, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani army, in Shusha, a town in Nagorno-Karabakh controlled by Baku.

“We have already seized weapons and ammunition”, he added, without further details. The disarmament process “may take time” because some separatists were based in remote mountainous areas, Mr. Eyvazov continued. “The priority is mine clearance and demilitarization”he insisted.

Read also: Nagorno-Karabakh: understanding this century-old conflict which is igniting relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia

At one of the accesses to Choucha, a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) saw a tank and, more generally, a strong military presence. Mortars are also positioned on a nearby hill, aimed towards Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh which, the separatists claim, Azerbaijani troops are surrounding, she also noted.

First ICRC humanitarian convoy in Nagorno-Karabakh

Six armored vehicles, more than 800 small arms and around 5,000 munitions have so far been returned, declared Friday the Russian peace contingent present in this territory where a ceasefire was concluded on Wednesday the day after the outbreak of the Azerbaijani assault. “In accordance with the agreements on the cessation of hostilities, the armed formations of Karabakh began to hand over” their weapons “under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces”the Russian Defense Ministry then explained.

Read also: Nagorno-Karabakh: understanding this century-old conflict which is igniting relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Nagorno Karabakh authorities’ talks with the Azerbaijani side began on Thursday ” under the auspices “ of the Russian interposition force, should make it possible to“organize the process of troop withdrawal and ensure the return to their homes of citizens displaced by military aggression”the separatists said.

Furthermore, a first convoy of the International Red Cross entered Nagorno-Karabakh on Saturday. “The ICRC went through the Lachin corridor to bring mainly 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the population”declared an official from the International Red Cross, met by AFP at the Armenian checkpoint of Kornidzor, as the convoy passed.

The World with AFP