Karabakh Armenians blame int. community for failing to prevent clash

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Sep 2023 23:31
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Azerbaijan to "immediately" cease its military operation against the region of conflict.

A damaged residential building following shelling is seen in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Sept. 19, 2023. (AP)

Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday held the international community responsible for its inability to prevent a renewed conflict in the breakaway region.

This came after Azerbaijan announced it launched an 'anti-terror' military operation, prompting a demand for surrender from Armenian-supported forces.

"By ignoring warnings about Azerbaijan's criminal intentions and refusing to act accordingly, all the responsible international actors failed to prevent yet another Azerbaijani (act of) aggression against Artsakh," Armenian unrecognized authorities said in a statement, using the Armenian term for Karabakh.

US, France react

In reaction to today's events, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Azerbaijan to "immediately" cease its military operation against the region of conflict.

"The United States is deeply concerned by Azerbaijan's military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh and calls on Azerbaijan to cease these actions immediately," Blinken said in a statement as he held telephone talks on the crisis from the UN General Assembly.

Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Azerbaijan to promptly halt its military offensive in the region.

According to a press statement, during a call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday, Macron reportedly urged "an immediate resumption of discussions" to find a "just and lasting peace" between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and called for an "immediate cessation of the offensive."

Earlier today, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that Baku had initiated regional "anti-terrorist activities" within the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh area with the aim of "restoring the constitutional order." Due to a lack of military action, angered demonstrators in Yerevan blocked the Tigran Mets avenue in close proximity to the government premises amidst the mounting tension.

"We should not take any miscalculated, abrupt... steps at the moment," Pashinyan said in a video message posted on social media.

"As expected, statements are being made from various places to carry out a coup in Armenia... It is very important that the rule of law is respected in Armenia and stability is maintained since the violation of law and order and stability is the goal set by the forces seeking to act against the Republic of Armenia," he added.

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied today in the streets of Yerevan, calling Pashinyan a 'traitor' for his lack of military responsiveness and demanding his resignation.

On another note, live Armenian broadcasters reported that over 100 protesters gathered near the Russian embassy, calling on Moscow to take measures to address the situation in the breakaway region.