Author: Alex Nanijanian

Armenia, Azerbaijan Report Casualties After Renewed Fighting on Border

Alex Nanijanian
Voice of America
Nov 17 2021
12:40 PM
  • RFE/RL
FILE – Armenian soldiers drive on a truck while leaving Karvatchar town in Nagorno-Karabakh, Nov. 24, 2020. Tensions have again risen between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the contested region.

Dozens of Armenian soldiers have been captured or gone missing following the latest clashes on the border with Azerbaijan, officials in Yerevan said on November 17.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said on the morning of November 17 that seven of its soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in renewed fighting on the shared border that erupted on November 16.

According to a statement by Armenia’s Defense Ministry, 13 Armenian soldiers were captured by Azerbaijani forces and another 24 Armenian servicemen have gone missing and that their fate remains unknown.

The statement added that one Armenian soldier was killed in the fighting, which Yerevan says has stopped following talks with Moscow.

Both sides blamed each other for starting the latest conflict amid tensions between the two former Soviet nations that have simmered since a six-week war last year over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan said its forces prevented "large-scale provocations" by Armenian forces in the Kalbacar and Lachin districts bordering Armenia.

In turn, Armenia's Defense Ministry accused Azerbaijani soldiers of shooting at its positions along the border, using artillery, armored vehicles, and guns.

Later on November 16, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that hostilities on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border had ceased after a cease-fire was reached with Moscow’s mediation. Armenia confirmed that report.

The situation along the border has been tense since the two South Caucasus nations fought a 44-day war over Nagorno-Karabakh last year that killed at least 6,500 people and ended with a cease-fire that granted Azerbaijan control of parts of the region as well as adjacent territories occupied by Armenians.

The breakaway region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since the end of a separatist war in 1994.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was “troubled” by the reports of the fighting. In a tweet on November 17, Blinken called on both sides to engage “directly and constructively to resolve all outstanding issues, including border demarcation.”

On November 16, the European Union also urged the two sides to show restraint.

Calling for “urgent de-escalation and [a] full cease-fire,” the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, described the situation in the region as “challenging.”

“The EU is committed to work with partners to overcome tensions for a prosperous and stable South Caucasus,” Michel wrote on Twitter.

Some information for this story came from the Associated Press.



Thousands rally in Armenia to demand PM’s resignation

Alex Nanijanian
Al-Arabiya, UAE
Nov 9 2021

Thousands of Armenians rallied Monday to push Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign, a year after he signed a controversial truce with Azerbaijan that ended a war between the Caucasus neighbors.

On November 9 last year, Pashinyan signed a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement with Baku, ending six weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that claimed more than 6,500 lives.

The agreement — under which Yerevan ceded swathes of territories it had controlled for decades — was seen in Armenia as national humiliation and sparked weeks of street protests.

In June, Pashinyan called snap parliamentary polls which were won by his Civil Contract party.

Vowing to mount nationwide protests against Pashinyan’s government, several thousand demonstrators gathered on Monday evening in central Yerevan for a rally staged by former president Robert Kocharyan’s opposition alliance, Armenia.

“We declare today the start of a nationwide opposition movement,” Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a leader of the opposition Dashnaktsutyun party, told the crowd. “Our movement’s goal is to stop the destruction of our state.”

Azerbaijan and Armenia have reported occasional exchanges of fire along their shared border over the last year, sparking fears of another flare-up in their decades-long territorial dispute.

Both Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have recently expressed readiness to hold talks on a definitive peace deal.

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the ensuing conflict claimed around 30,000 lives.

Stepanakert-Shushi-Berdzor interstate road open on both sides

Alex Nanijanian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 8 2021

The Stepanakert-Shushi-Berdzor interstate road is now open on both sides after the traffic on the Stepanakert-Berdzor road was stopped due to the incident at the crossroad near Shushi, Armenpress news agency reported, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Artsakh.

To remind, at around 15։00 on Monday the Azerbaijani side opened fire at a group of civilians working on a water pipe at a crossroad near occupied Shushi town. As a result of the incident one worker identified as 22-year-old E.M died, other three – identified as 41-year-old S.A., 31-year-old M.G. and 43-year-old D.G are treated at Stepanakert hospital. 

The source reminds that the traffic on the Stepanakert-Berdzor road was suspended. The Stepanakert-Shushi-Berdzor interstate road is now open on both sides for all types of vehicles. 

Turkish press: Defense Minister Akar urges Armenia to set aside hostility

Alex Nanijanian
 ISTANBUL DIPLOMACY 
NOV 08, 2021 9:53 AM GMT+3

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar speaks at the victory ceremonies held at Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 8, 2021. (AA Photo)

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar called on Armenia to avoid hostility and focus on the future as he visited Azerbaijan on the anniversary of the Nagorno-Karabakh victory.

Attending the Nov. 8 Victory Day ceremonies in Baku with Chief of Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler, commander of the Land Forces Command Gen. Musa Avsever, Naval Forces Command Adm. Adnan Özbal, and commander of the Turkish Air Forces Command Gen. Hasan Küçükakyüz, Akar said he was happy to celebrate and share the joy of the Azerbaijani people.

Akar noted that the Armenian authorities need to set their current policies aside and take into consideration the suggestion for a six-member platform.

“Everybody should know that you cannot build a future based on hatred and enmity. Armenia should leave hostility behind and look to the future,” Akar said, noting that Turkey will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure peace and stability in the region.

“The heroic Azerbaijani military’s victory did not only come as a result of a 44-daylong campaign, but a 30-year-old insistence, faith and resolution,” Akar said, adding that Turkey has stood beside Azerbaijan in its rightful struggle.

Akar also thanked Pakistan for its support to Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis as he hailed holding joint military drills with the country.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov hailed Turkey’s support during the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the post-liberation reconstruction efforts.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev signed the Shusha Declaration, a pact focused on defense cooperation and establishing new transportation routes.

The agreement also affirms that Turkey and Azerbaijan will work together in the face of any external threat.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian Army launching repeated attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that were illegally occupied by Armenia for nearly three decades.

The fighting ended on Nov. 10, 2020, after the two countries signed an agreement brokered by Russia.

‘Bad military adventurism’: Azerbaijan slams Armenian minister’s ‘unauthorised’ visit

Alex Nanijanian
Middle East Monitor
Nov 9 2021
November 9, 2021 at 4:09 pm | Published in: Armenia, Asia & Americas, Azerbaijan, Middle East, News
Azerbaijani military forces in Zangilan, Azerbaijan on 8 November 2020 [Arif Hüdaverdi Yaman/Anadolu Agency]

November 9, 2021 at 4:09 pm

Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, strongly condemned the Armenian Defence Minister's "unauthorised" visit to Azerbaijani territory, terming it a "military-political provocation."

"Armenian Defence Minister, Arshak Karapetyan, illegally visited the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed," the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Karapetyan's visit was "deliberately held" ahead of the anniversary of the trilateral agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia on 10 November last year, the ministry said.

His "unauthorised entry … into the territory of Azerbaijan, holding meetings with illegal Armenian formations, and expressing views on their combat readiness is a military-political provocation," it added.

"The political and military leadership of Armenia, grossly violating the provisions of the trilateral statement, attempts to destabilise the situation in the region and overshadow the activities of Russian peacekeepers," read the statement.

READ: Turkish president presents Azerbaijani counterpart with Anadolu Agency book on Karabakh victory

"Instead of drawing conclusions from the complete defeat in the 44-day war in Karabakh, adapting to the new geopolitical situation in the region and strengthening peace and security, the military leadership of Armenia tries bad military adventurism."

The ministry said Karapetyan's visit "once again demonstrates that Armenia continues to directly support irregular Armenian military units, aggressive separatism and terrorist acts on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

It warned that Azerbaijan will take "necessary measures … to prevent aggressive separatism and terrorist acts" if Armenia fails to cease such actions.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on 27 September last year, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day military conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

READ: Azerbaijan clears over 48,000 mines laid by Armenia

Prior to this, about 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory was under illegal occupation.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement on 10 November to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The cease-fire was seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

On 11 January this year, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. The deal also included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211109-bad-military-adventurism-azerbaijan-slams-armenian-ministers-unauthorised-visit/

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State meets with Ilham Aliyev

Alex Nanijanian

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 20:07, 5 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 5 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. US Deputy Secretary of State Erika Olson, who has arrived in Baku, met with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on November 5, ARMENPRESS reports Azerbaijani media informs.

Before that Olson was in Armenia where she participated in the regional forum, met with Armenian authorities and representatives of civil society.

Spanish TV tracks the stories of Andalusians in Armenia

Alex Nanijanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 1 2021
November 1, 2021, 14:11

 1 minute read

Spanish TV program ‘Andalucia in the world’ covers stories of Andalusians who live in Armenia. Canal Sur TV’s Luis Márquez travels to Armenia to talk to Andalusians living in Armenia, including EU diplomat Gonzalo Serrano, coach Joaquín Caparrós, UWC director Gabriel Abad and two UWC students.

Gonzalo Serrano, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Armenia, is a Sevillian from the Los Remedios neighborhood who arrived in Armenia three years ago after working in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In particular, he coordinates that the aid from the European Union arrives and is managed properly in Armenia.

Gabriel Abad Fernández, a man from Malaga who arrived three years ago is based in a region known as ‘the Switzerland of Armenia’ for its impressive natural surroundings. He did so with the ambitious goal of directing one of the best schools in the world – the UWC Dilijan College,  the first international boarding school in Armenia.

Joaquín Caparrós , a mythical Sevillian coach from Utrera arrived in Armenia a little over 1 year ago to take charge of the country’s national football team and who with his work has returned the illusion to the local fans. In Andalusia he trained teams such as Sevilla FC and Granada CF.

For the full episode click here. https://www.canalsur.es/Andalucia_x_el_mundo-4313.html

JAMnews: restoration of railways complicated because of war in Karabakh

Alex Nanijanian
Caucasian Knot, EU
Oct 25 2021

THIS MESSAGE (MATERIAL) HAS BEEN CREATED AND (OR) DISTRIBUTED BY A FOREIGN MASS MEDIUM PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT, AND (OR) BY A RUSSIAN LEGAL ENTITY PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT.

In his article “The disappeared railway from my childhood and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict”, posted by JAMnews on October 24, Armenian journalist Alexander Martirosyan claimed that the combat actions of the autumn of 2020, known as the Second Karabakh War, further exacerbated the parties to the conflict and complicated the solution of such a problem as the resumption of communication by rail between Georgian Tbilisi, Armenian Gyumri, and Turkish Kars.

Alexander Martirosyan emphasizes that “closed roads deprive us of the opportunity to choose.” “However, the openness can help us distinguish economic interests from public interests, politics from murders, and charity from hatred,” the Armenian journalist noted.

The Azerbaijani authorities are counting on the resumption of the railway communication with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) through the territory of Armenia, that is, the opening of the so-called Zangezur corridor. Baku believes that the creation of the Zangezur corridor is provided for by trilateral agreements on the cessation of the hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia does not recognize that.

The conflict is deepening due to the “militant aspirations and ambitions of top-ranking officials” of Armenia and other states to the detriment of the economic interests of the respective countries, Alexander Martirosyan believes.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 25, 2021 at 03:05 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Armenian Ombudsperson claims shelling of border village, Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of shelling a village, Nagorno-Karabakh accuses Azerbaijan of shelling an ambulance.

Author: The Caucasian Knot;

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

No meeting between Armenian PM, Azerbaijani President planned for now – MFA spokesperson

Alex Nanijanian

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 15:47,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. No meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is planned at the moment, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said, commenting on media reports. He said that there are proposals for different meetings in different formats which are at the discussion stage.

“I would like to state that the rumors spread by some circles on this topic are obviously provocative and have nothing to do with the reality. In order to orient correctly in the situation, I would advise to study the reports, claims, “revelations” before the trilateral meeting in Moscow on January 11, 2021, to get acquainted with the results and content of the meeting and then analyze to what extent the reports spread before the meeting were in accordance with the reality”, the MFA spokesperson said.

He reminded that Prime Minister Pashinyan has repeatedly stated that Armenia is ready to resume the high-level negotiations with Azerbaijan over the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Since October 22 media outlets spread unconfirmed information according to which Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are going to sign new trilateral statements on November 9 this year about the border demarcation and delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the transportation and economic unblocking of the region.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Military bus hits mines in Damascus, fatalities reported

Alex Nanijanian

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 09:44,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. A military bus hit two mines near the President Bridge in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, TASS reports citing SANA news agency.

According to it, the explosive devices were triggered by a terrorist. At least 13 Syrian servicemen were killed in the attack, three were wounded.

Detonation specialists who arrived at the site of the incident disarmed another mine located nearby.