In an escalating conflict, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in casualties and raising concerns of further unrest.
The region, recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians, witnessed intense shelling, with Armenia reporting at least 32 deaths and numerous injuries.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of provoking a war through relentless shelling and urged Russian peacekeepers to intervene. He also warned of potential coup rumors in Yerevan.
Ethnic Armenians in Karabakh viewed Azerbaijan's actions as the start of a new war, intensifying tensions in the region, with Turkey-backed Azerbaijan expressing cultural and economic ties to the area.
The United States, through Secretary of State Antony Blinken, called for an immediate ceasefire, supporting Armenia's sovereignty. Russia, currently involved in the Ukraine conflict, appealed for calm while cautioning Armenia about its Western alliances.
The situation is of significant concern as another conflict in the former Soviet Union could impact the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus, a region vital for energy pipelines and a focal point of influence for Russia, the United States, Turkey, and Iran. The death toll remains disputed, with Armenia reporting 32 casualties, while other sources suggest a higher number.
