War likely if Azerbaijani territorial integrity violated – minister

BAKU, December 12 (RIA Novosti)

A war between Azerbaijan and Armenia is inevitable should the two
sides fail to settle the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in favor of
Azerbaijan, the defense minister said Saturday.

"If the issue is not settled so that Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity is preserved, a war is inevitable," Safar Abiyev told
journalists.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh
first erupted in 1988, when the mountainous region claimed
independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.

Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and
1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in
1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions between
Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

The OSCE Minsk Group, comprising the United States, Russia and France,
is a mediator in the conflict.