BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 3
Trend:
The Azerbaijani diaspora in Kazakhstan made statements about the latest military provocations of Armenia, Trend reports citing the State Committee for Work with Diaspora.
The statement said that as a result of the ceasefire violation by the Armenian armed forces on September 27 and the infliction of intense artillery strikes on civilian and military facilities of Azerbaijan along the entire front line, there are numerous civilian casualties and military personnel. Civilian infrastructure and settlements in the front line zone is seriously damaged, which is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
The statement also contain an appeal to the countries worldwide and international organizations to influence the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani lands to ensure peace and stability in the region.
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.