The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry believes that Yerevan pursues the goal of attracting the third party to the conflict in Karabakh.
“Continuous statements by the Armenian leadership that Turkey allegedly participates in military operations in the region pursue only one goal – to attract a third party to the conflict”, – the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
Earlier, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said that on Sunday Azerbaijani forces are carrying out artillery and air strikes on the Karabakh cities of Martakert and Stepanakert, adding that “Azerbaijan together with Turkey” and foreign mercenaries “continues large-scale military operations” against Karabakh.
On September 27, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that the Armenian Armed Forces fired on settlements on the contact line in Karabakh, according to these data, there are civilian and military casualties. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Karabakh “was subjected to air and missile attacks“. In Yerevan, they said that Baku “launched an offensive” in the Karabakh direction.
In the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, it was reported that peaceful settlements in Karabakh, including the capital Stepanakert, were shelled, the authorities called on the population to hide, and later declared martial law and mobilization in Karabakh.
Armenia also declared martial law and general mobilization. Former Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, ex-Ombudsman of Karabakh Ruben Melikyan told RIA Novosti that general mobilization is announced in Armenia for the first time.
The President of Azerbaijan approved the introduction of martial law in a number of cities and regions of the republic and a curfew in the country, and also announced a partial mobilization.
A number of states, including the Russian Federation and France, called on the parties to exercise restraint. Turkey has stated that it will provide Azerbaijan with any support it requests against the background of another aggravation of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict in Karabakh began in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its secession from the Azerbaijan SSR. In the course of the armed confrontation in 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Since 1992, negotiations have been underway on a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, headed by three co-chairs – Russia, the United States and France. Azerbaijan insists on preserving its territorial integrity, Armenia protects the interests of the unrecognized republic, since NKR is not a party to the negotiations.