Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict; concerns about Türkiye's entry into the conflict

The risk of a full-scale war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has fueled international concern. The death toll has risen. Armenia is reporting Turkish military involvement in the conflict.

The military confrontation between the two republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia continues. The number of victims of reciprocal attacks is increasing. While many countries around the world have increased their diplomatic efforts to end the confrontation, Turkey's support for Azerbaijan has given this conflict more dangerous dimensions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared martial law in large parts of the country on Sunday evening, September 27, and imposed a nighttime curfew. Before him, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had declared martial law throughout the country.

On Monday, September 28, the German news agency published a report from Baku and Yerevan, announcing the intensification of the military confrontation between the two republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is said that a large number of military forces from the two countries have been killed and injured as a result of the ongoing attacks.

Now, a full-scale war between the two countries threatens the region. News agencies have reported the advance of Azerbaijani military forces in the disputed region of Karabakh. The German news agency has even reported that some villages have been captured by the Azerbaijani army.

Increasing number of victims

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has described Azerbaijan's attacks as an official declaration of war against the people of his country.

The German news agency has called the recent conflict between the two countries in the Nagorno-Karabakh region the most intense military confrontation between the two countries in decades. According to official figures, at least 16 soldiers have been killed and more than 100 others injured in the recent bloody clashes. Some news sources have reported a higher death toll.

While Azerbaijan claims that five of its forces were killed and wounded during these clashes, Armenia has announced that the Azerbaijani army has so far suffered 200 casualties.

According to information released by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a number of civilians have also been killed and injured during these clashes. It is not possible to record the exact number of victims under the current circumstances.

Turkish military intervention and presence

The Armenian government announced on Sunday evening that Turkey is supporting the Azerbaijani military. The Armenian Defense Ministry announced that the Azerbaijani military used Turkish-made weapons in their attacks. It is even said that Turkish military drones were used in these clashes.

In this regard, Nikol Pashinyan had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron and asked the French President to prevent further Turkish interference in the conflict between the two countries.

Türkiye has not officially stated its position on the country's alleged military presence in the conflict over the Karabakh region, while Erdogan does not hide Turkey's support for Ilham Aliyev.

Türkiye's military presence in the conflict over the mountainous region of Karabakh could add new dimensions to this confrontation and ignite a full-scale war.

International diplomatic efforts

The European Union, Germany, and Russia have also called on the parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint and have urged them to end the military confrontation and return to the negotiating table.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has also emphasized that the OSCE Minsk Group, led by representatives of the three countries of France, Russia, and the United States, is ready to mediate.

In addition, the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has good relations with both countries, has also expressed its readiness to mediate.

The Republic of Azerbaijan lost control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A ceasefire was then established between the newly formed republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1994.

The ceasefire has repeatedly shown its instability over the years. During the last military confrontation between the two countries in 2016, more than 120 people were killed.

Source: DW