Armenian PM: Syrian mercenaries, Turkish army in war

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan me a televised dress to nation on Saturday saying that "Syrian mercenaries and terrorists, and special forces of Turkish army" are involved in war raging over breakaway region of Nagor-Karabakh.

Pashinyan claimed that "about 150 high-ranking servicemen of Turkish army are in command posts of various units of Azerbaijani Armed Forces and le military operations."

Ankara has denied involvement while publicly siding with Azerbaijan in dispute.

Heavy fighting in Nagor-Karabakh between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces this week has killed dozens and left scores wounded.

fighting is biggest escalation in years in deces-long dispute over region, which lies within Azerbaijan but is controlled by local ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Cease-fire calls have come from around globe.

Turkey has diplomatic relations with Armenia and sealed its border with nation in 1993 to show solidarity with Azerbaijan over Nagor-Karabakh.

Relations between Armenia and Turkey alrey were tenuous due to mass killings and deportations of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago.

Pashinyan said final aim of operation was "to continue Armenian gecide today."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked for deces in a conflict over Nagor-Karabakh, site of a separatist war fought in early 1990s and ending in 1994 - three years after breakup of Soviet Union.

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