EU calls 'immediate cessation of hostilities' as Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes reignite

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” after clashes reignited between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's spokesperson said in a statement, “It is essential to de-escalate, fully respect the ceasefire and return to the negotiating table to seek negotiated solutions.” 

“The European Union calls for an immediate cessation of the hostilities which have broken out between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces around the Lachin corridor and other places along the Line of Contact. Regrettably, these clashes already led to loss of life and injuries,” the statement also read.

The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has been a flashpoint for about 30 years between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been controlled by ethnic Armenian forces since the end of a war in 1994. In September 2020, Azerbaijan and Armenian forces fought a war over the mountainous region. At the time, Azerbaijan won back a part of the territory. Subsequently, a Russia-brokered ceasefire was also signed. 

However, violence flared in recent days, and both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire. On Wednesday, Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry said that Armenia committed an act of sabotage and killed one of its soldiers breaching the agreement. Baku also said that it had to fight Armenia’s attempt to capture a hill in the disputed zone. It further demanded the disarmament of “illegal Armenian formations”. 

US expresses concern over clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh

The United States expressed deep concern over reports of intensive fighting around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “The United States is deeply concerned by and closely following reports of intensive fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh, including casualties and the loss of life.  We urge immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation.”

“The recent increase in tensions underscores the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” he added.

Meanwhile, Russia accused the Azerbaijani Armed Forces of breaching the ceasefire in the mountainous zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In the report on the activities of Russian peacekeepers in the separatist region, the Russian Defence Ministry said that Azerbaijan’s forces violated the ceasefire in the area of the height of Sarybaba. Earlier, clashes were reported between Armenia and Azerbaijan leaving at least three soldiers dead as the decades-old conflict reignited. 

IMAGE: AP