Karabakh conflict: Fighting surges on 7th day, Armenia ready for peace talks

On the seventh day of armed conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenia says it is ready to work with France, Russia and the United States to resolve the decades-long dispute with Azerbaijan.

The region is internationally recognized as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan; it has been under Armenia’s control since the early 1990s. The territory declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991.

The recent clashes— the worst in decades — erupted on September 27, with both Yerevan and Baku accusing each other of provocation.

Both sides have suffered fatalities, civilians included.

The separatist government in the Khankendi region said on Saturday that Azerbaijan’s forces launched rockets towards its main city Khankendi.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said the military had inflicted “a crushing blow” to the Armenian-backed forces in the region, according to Sputnik.

The ministry, according to the Russian news website, published a video purportedly showing an attack on Armenian military equipment.

“The situation at the front remains tense,” said the defense ministry.

“During the night, the enemy’s combat activity in various directions of the front has been suppressed and a crushing blow was inflicted upon it. Fierce battles continue along the entire front.”

The fighting, which has raised concern for a wider regional conflict, prompted repeated calls from Russia, France and the United States, for both Yerevan and Baku to resume negotiations and halt the hostilities immediately.

Russia repeats offer to mediate between Armenia, Azerbaijan

Russia offers to host talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan amid ongoing fighting between the two over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Though both sides have so for been refusing to engage in peace talks, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Yerevan "stands ready to engage" with the three foreign powers on halting the conflict.

“Armenia is committed to resolution of the conflict through peaceful means.”

"We will continue to adamantly repel Azerbaijan’s aggression but, at the same time, are also ready to work with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs (Russia, France, the US) in the direction of a ceasefire based on the agreements of 1994-1995," the foreign ministry statement said.

Baku calls for Karabakh full withdrawal

The Azerbaijani president, however, said peace could only be achieved if Armenian-backed forces “fully” withdraw from Karabakh.

Ilham Aliyev has also “placed the entire responsibility on the leadership of Armenia for the break-off of negotiations and the armed confrontation,” according to his press service.

Azerbaijan vows to fight until Armenia’s ‘full withdrawal’ from Karabakh

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says his country will keep fighting until Armenian forces “fully” withdraw from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, as tensions continue between the two South Caucasus neighbors.

In an interview with al-Jazeer on Friday, Aliyev said the Minsk group had failed for the past three decades to make progress in resolving the dispute.

He said Baku was not ignoring ceasefire calls, and that the “conditions must be that they withdraw from the territories.”

“We need our territories back by peaceful means and we demonstrated for 28 years our willingness to have a peaceful settlement,” Aliyev added.

ICRC warns of civilian deaths, COVID-19 surge

Some 200 people have been reported killed in the fighting over the past week.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has voiced alarm at civilian deaths and injuries, including of children.

“People have been in touch with the ICRC, terrified for themselves and their families and at a loss as to where to go or what to do to stay safe,” it said.

It also warned about the risk of a surge in cases of the coronavirus infection during the conflict.

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