Armenia, Azerbaijan clash in separatist region for a 2nd day

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces fought over separatist region of Nagor-Karabakh for a second day Monday, with both sides blaming each or for resuming attacks that reportedly killed and wounded dozens as deces-old conflict has reignited.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claimed Armenian forces shelled town of Tartar, while Armenian officials said fighting continued overnight and Baku resumed “offensive operations" in morning. Azerbaijani military officials told Interfax news ncy that over 550 Armenian troops have been “destroyed (including those wounded)” in a claim that Armenia denied.

According to officials in predominantly Armenian enclave of Nagor-Karabakh, 58 servicemen on ir side have been killed so far. territory's Defense on Sunday also reported two civilian deaths — a woman and her grandchild. About 200 troops have been wounded, but many were only slightly hurt and have returned to action, Armenian Defense Ministry said. Azerbaijani authorities said nine civilians were killed and 32 wounded on ir side. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Sunday re were losses among Baku's forces, too, but he didn't elaborate.

heavy fighting broke out Sunday in region that lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Yerevan government since 1994 at end of a separatist war. Azerbaijan said it destroyed two Armenian tanks, and Nagor-Karabakh's Defense Ministry reported that Baku “lost 10 armored vehicles in a tank battle.” Armenian Defense Ministry said that, while fighting continued, “all offensives of Azerbaijani Armed Forces were successfully suppressed, enemy was thrown back" and suffered losses.

Nagor-Karabakh, a region in Caucasus Mountains about 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles) or about size of U.S. state of Delaware is 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Armenian border. Soldiers backed by Armenia also occupy some Azerbaijani territory outside region. European Union urged both sides to stop fighting and return to negotiating table, following similar calls by Iran, Russia, France and United States.

“We hope and we urge everyone to everything y can in order to prevent an all-out war from breaking out, because this is last thing region needs,” European Commission spokesman Peter Sta said in Brussels.

“re is military solution to this conflict.”

Five European countries-  Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany and United Kingdom asked for a closed-door meeting of U.N. Security Council on escalating conflict on Tuesday. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to both Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and called for “an immediate stop to fighting, a de-escalation of tensions and a return to meaningful negotiations without preconditions or delay,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said situation “is a cause for concern for Moscow and or countries.” “We believe that hostilities should be immediately ended," Peskov said, ding that process of resolving conflict should shift into “a politico-diplomatic” dimension.

Armenia's Foreign Ministry accused Turkey, which sides with Azerbaijan in conflict, of supporting "this aggression.” “Turkish military experts are fighting side by side with Azerbaijan, who are using Turkish weapons, including UAVs and warplanes," ministry said. situation “clearly indicates” that people in Nagor-Karabakh are fighting against "a Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance,” statement said. Both Armenia and Turkey accused each or of recruiting foreign mercenaries. Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, denied reports that Turkey h sent arms or foreign fighters to Azerbaijan.

“Armenia is disturbed by Turkey's solidarity with Azerbaijan and is producing lies against Turkey,” Celik tweeted.

Erdogan reiterated Turkey's support for Azerbaijan and said Armenia's immediate withdrawal from region was only way to ensure peace.

"All or impositions and threats will t only be unjust and unlawful but will continue to indulge Armenia,” he said.

Erdogan criticized France, U.S. and Russia-  three chairs of so-called Minsk group that was set up in 1992 to resolve Nagor-Karabakh conflict saying y h failed to resolve issue for 30 years.

“y have done ir best t to solve this issue. And w y come and counsel and issue threats. y say 'is Turkey here, is Turkish military here?'" Erdogan said.

“Whose lands were occupied? Azerbaijan's lands. ... body asks for (Armenia) to account. Azerbaijan has been forced to take matters into its own hands," he ded.  

(Im Credits: AP)