Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh have accepted the terms of a ceasefire proposed by Russian peacekeepers a day after Azerbaijan initiated a military operation aimed at seizing control of the region, resulting in dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries, as reported by Interfax news agency.

Under this ceasefire agreement, Karabakh Armenian forces will be required to dismantle and remove all heavy weaponry.

"With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023," the Armenian forces in Karabakh said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry confirmed it had reached an agreement on a ceasefire with the Karabakh Armenian forces, thus suspending the operation Baku had launched yesterday.

The Ministry said Armenian forces in Karabakh had agreed to "lay down their weapons, abandon combat positions and military posts and completely disarm," and all weapons and heavy equipment were being handed over to the Azerbaijani army.

Following the ceasefire announcement, Karabakh Armenians said they had accepted Baku's proposal for talks to integrate the disputed region into Azerbaijan.

"Issues raised by the Azerbaijani side on reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh... will be discussed at a meeting between representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of the Republic Azerbaijan," Karabakh Armenian authorities said Wednesday.

"They will take place in the city of Yevlakh on September 21."

On his part, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan was not involved in preparing the text of an agreement for a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

Pashinyan said his office had taken note of the decision to agree to a ceasefire by authorities in Karabakh, adding that Armenia has not had troops in Karabakh since August 2021, Interfax reported.

Simultaneously, the Kremlin dismissed Armenian claims that Russia had not taken sufficient action to prevent the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, emphasizing that the issue pertained to Azerbaijan's actions within its own territory.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is maintaining communication with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Armenian population in Karabakh. Peskov added that the scheduling of a phone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is yet to be finalized.

Russian peacekeepers announced on Wednesday that they successfully transported over 2,000 civilians, including more than 1,000 children, from the "most perilous" zones in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area, which is an enclave populated by Armenians within Azerbaijan. This action came a day after Azerbaijan initiated a military operation in the contested region.

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"The Russian peacekeeping contingent is continuing to evacuate the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh from the most dangerous areas," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that the peacekeepers are continuing to carry out their work in the region, providing all possible assistance to civilians and maintaining close contact with all parties.

Concurrently, officials in Nagorno-Karabakh issued a plea on Wednesday, urging residents to stay and not leave the area amid the ongoing developments.

In a statement, the mayor's office said, "At this time there is no need to move, we urge you to follow safety rules and stay in basements and bomb shelters." 

Russia's plea for peace

Earlier today, Russia and the United Nations have jointly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area.

Tensions have escalated in the Caucasus, following a military operation launched by Azerbaijan against what they consider separatists in the region. 

Baku has issued a stern warning that its military operation in the Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh region will persist until its objectives are met. 

Recognized as a traditional power broker in the region, Russia finds itself in a delicate position as it grapples with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, urging the warring parties to "immediately stop the bloodshed, stop hostilities, and eliminate civilian casualties." Additionally, Russia disclosed that its 2,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh is actively engaged in evacuating civilians and providing medical assistance.

Here's all you need to know about the simmering tension in the #NagornoKarabakh region between #Armenia and #Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/bQ7ItwvpKA

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 19, 2023

Likewise, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for an end to the hostilities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the 2020 ceasefire agreement. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated that Guterres "in the strongest terms" demanded an immediate halt to the fighting and a reduction in tensions.

The Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh was at the center of two wars between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In the 1990s, Armenia defeated Azerbaijan and took control of the region, which is an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan. Thirty years later, the latter took revenge.

After the 2020 war, Yerevan was forced to cede several territories it had controlled for decades.

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains volatile, and Armenia has accused Azerbaijan earlier of moving troops near the region recently, raising concerns of a new large-scale conflict.

In May, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Armenia recognized the region as Azerbaijani territory. However, the situation has since taken a troubling turn, with accusations flying from both sides.