New outbreak of war in Nagorno-Karabakh – Azerbaijan issues ultimatum

Azerbaijan has stated that to end the “anti-terrorist operation” in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian forces in the region must surrender, and the local administration must dissolve.

It’s the statement by the Azerbaijani presidential administration, as cited by the state news agency AZERTADZH.

Photo: screenshot from a video of Azerbaijan’s strike on Nagorno-Karabakh, shared by Azerbaijani state media

Azerbaijan wants Armenian forces to leave Nagorno-Karabakh

“To stop anti-terrorist measures, illegal Armenian armed groups must raise a white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime must dissolve itself,” the Azerbaijani presidential administration said.

Otherwise, Azerbaijan threatens to continue hostilities in the region. In addition, the Azerbaijani presidential administration declares its readiness to meet with representatives of the Armenian population living in the Karabakh region.

On 19 September, Azerbaijan announced the launch of “local anti-terrorist measures” in unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh, considered an internationally recognised part of Azerbaijan but where most of the population is ethnic Armenian.

Armenia called Azerbaijan’s operation “a large-scale aggression” “to complete the ethnic cleansing”

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry called Baku’s actions a large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh “to complete the policy of ethnic cleansing”.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that “on 19 September, Azerbaijan launched another large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to complete its policy of ethnic cleansing”.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan convened a meeting of the National Security Council in connection with Baku’s “anti-terrorist operation” against unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh.

In his latest address to the nation, Pashinyan said that he sees Azerbaijan’s actions as intent on ethnic cleansing in Karabakh and expressed astonishment that Baku is announcing a “humanitarian corridor” for those who want to leave, rather than calling on civilians to take refuge and not endanger themselves if the Azerbaijani army does not hit civilian targets.

Azerbaijani troops attacked Nagorno-Karabakh using heavy artillery – media

According to the Armenian media, Azerbaijani troops attacked Nagorno-Karabakh using heavy artillery, including combat drones. Local journalists report that the targets are different districts of Stepanakert.

According to the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, 25 people were killed and 138 wounded in today’s shelling.

According to Azerbaijan’s statement, its measures were taken “to ensure the provisions of the Tripartite Statement, stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw the Armenian armed forces from these territories, neutralise their military infrastructure, and ensure the safety of the civilian population”.

The EU and the US called on Azerbaijan to cease its operation

The European Union condemned the renewal of the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Brussels called on Baku to immediately cease its “anti-terrorist operation”.

The European Parliament called on the EU Council to consider imposing sanctions against the Azerbaijani authorities for military actions in Karabakh.

The United States has asked Azerbaijan to stop hostilities.

In September, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Azerbaijan was building up its military presence along the demarcation line with unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh and the border with Armenia.

Amid the threat of escalation, Pashinyan declared his readiness to hold talks with Azerbaijan.