EU mission reports on Armenia-Azerbaijan borders' escalating tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Sep 2023 23:50
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Despite occasional talks on a peace agreement to resolve disputes and normalize relations, tensions remain high and border clashes are common.

EUMA on patrol in Armenia, September 5 2023. (AP)

Increased tensions on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past few days have been reported by the EU mission in Armenia.

On Friday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry alleged that Yerevan was using combat drones employed by Armenia against Azerbaijani positions within the Kalbajar District, which led to the injury of two Azerbaijani soldiers.

Correspondingly, the Armenian Defense Ministry accused Baku of launching artillery attacks on Armenian positions along the border, resulting in the loss of three Armenian soldiers and the injury of two more.

"Last several days, EUMA eye-witnessed with concern the increased tensions and crossfire at the [Armenian]-[Azerbaijani] border areas. We reported on the situation to Brussels," the mission wrote on X.

Last several days, #EUMA eye witnessed with concern the increased tensions and crossfire at the 🇦🇲-🇦🇿border areas.
📈We reported on the situation to Brussels.

ℹ️ Our patrols cover AM-AZ border areas & lines of confrontation to report on military & security developments to 🇪🇺. pic.twitter.com/c1WjTPu3Av
— European Union Mission in Armenia (@EUmARMENIA) September 5, 2023

The EUMA patrols over the border areas and lines of confrontation in order to report on the latest military and security developments in the region to the European Union, the mission added.

The Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict has been largely centered around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan populated mostly by ethnic Armenians that has been a source of conflict between the two Caucasus neighbors dating back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Despite occasional talks on a peace agreement to resolve disputes and normalize relations, tensions remain high and border clashes are common. In two days of fighting in September of last year, around 300 soldiers were killed on both sides.

The ongoing fighting in the region has put a strain on the once-close relationship between Armenia and Russia, Armenia's traditional ally and the peacekeeper in Karabakh.