BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct.2
Trend:
Armenian President Armen Sarkissian accused Turkey of its alleged interference in military conflicts not only in Nagorno Karabakh, but also in Libya, Iraq and Syria in his interview with Al Jazeera TV channel on Oct.1.
"Why should Turkey hide its interference in the military conflict in Nagorno Karabakh?" the host asked. "The Turkish authorities don’t hide the fact that they are waging hostilities in Syria and Iraq against terrorists, and also support the officially recognized government of Libya."
"This is my version, and Turkey has its own version, and it is up to you to decide which one to accept," Sarkissian replied, without finding a better answer.
On October 1, 2020, Sarkissian admitted in the interview to Al Jazeera that Armenians from different countries are fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.
"They are ethnic Armenians and there is nothing wrong with the fact that, despite the fact that they are citizens of different countries, they are fighting in Nagorno Karabakh. We admit the participation of Armenians from different countries in the hostilities," Sarkissian said.
Armenian Armed Forces launched a large-scale military attack on positions of Azerbaijani army on the front line, using large-caliber weapons, mortars and artillery on Sept. 27.
Azerbaijan responded with a counter-offensive along the entire front. As a result of retaliation, Azerbaijani troops liberated a number of territories previously occupied by Armenia, as well as take important, strategic heights under control.
Military actions continued on Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. According to a statement from Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, the Armenian armed forces have suffered heavy losses along the entire front line from Sept. 27 through Sept. 30, including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery installations, rocket launch systems, as well as command and observation posts, air defense systems, etc.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.