The Protracted Conflict Of Armenia And Azerbaijan Has Resurfaced: Accusing Each Other Until A Shootout

Map of conflict areas (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Armenian and Azerbaijani troops were involved in a shootout over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The two sides accuse each other of using heavy artillery in the clash. Many parties worry that the conflict that has occurred for decades will be repeated.

The armed conflict lasted for two days. According to Reuters reports, at least 21 people were killed while hundreds were injured in the incident.

The biggest clash between Armenia and Azerbaijan was recorded in 2016. This incident then sparked concerns over stability in the South Caucasus region. The area is a pipeline corridor that carries oil and gas to world markets.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has actually been going on since the 80s. A ceasefire in the war that took place in the Nagorno-Karabakh region only occurred in 1994. Since then, Nagorno-Karabakh has self-governed as the de facto independent Artsakh Republic.

The two countries continued to accuse each other of ceasefire violations in warring areas during the conflict years. Including throughout 2020. More than a dozen soldiers and civilians have died in fighting in recent months.

The President of Azerbaijan announces a partial military mobilization. Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said that a total of six Azeri civilians had been killed and 19 injured since the shootout began. Interfax news agency quoted representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Defense as saying 200 Armenians were injured.

Nagorno-Karabakh reports that more than 15 of its soldiers have died. He also said he had rediscovered some areas that had lost control on Sunday 27 September. Nagorno-Karabakh also said that Azerbaijan had used heavy artillery to hit the shell areas. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said Armenian troops opened fire on Terter City.

In addition, Nagorno-Karabakh also reported on Sunday that 16 of its soldiers had been killed and more than 100 wounded after Azerbaijan launched air and artillery strikes.

The clashes have sparked a diplomatic rush to ease the resurgent tensions between the majority Christian Armenians and mostly Muslim Azerbaijanis. Russia has called for an immediate ceasefire and another regional power, Turkey, has said it will support Azerbaijan, its traditional ally.

Turkey has strong cultural and economic ties with Azerbaijan and will support it in any conflict. Russia, another regional power, has traditionally been close to Armenia but has had ties with the Azerbaijan elite in recent years.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a statement posted on Twitter that Armenia has once again shown that they are the greatest threat to peace and tranquility in the region. Erdogan said that Turkey stood beside Azerbaijan "with all its capabilities, as usual."

Armenia's ambassador to Russia said that Turkey had sent about 4,000 fighters from northern Syria to Azerbaijan. However, this was denied by Baku.