Tensions escalate on Azerbaijan-Armenia border – Role of Russia and Turkey in the region | TRT World

Border clashes between arch-foes Azerbaijan and Armenia have resumed after a brief de-escalation in fighting.

Azerbaijan said it has lost 12 servicemen and one civilian in three days of fighting, and Armenia said four of its troops were killed on Tuesday.

The fighting had prompted calls for an immediate ceasefire from the United States, European Union and regional power broker Russia.

Internationally mediated peace talks between the two Caucasus nations have so far failed to bring about a solution to the territorial dispute.

Turkey has strong historical and cultural ties with Azerbaijan, as well as joint energy projects.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that it would not hesitate to “stand against any attack” on Azerbaijan and that Armenia was “out of its depth” in the conflict.

Fifteen soldiers from both sides and one civilian have died since Sunday in the clashes between the neighbouring former Soviet republics, which fought a war in the 1990s over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region.

International concern is high because of the threat to stability in a region that hosts pipelines taking oil and gas from the Caspian Sea to global markets.

Commented the recent situation in the region at “News Hour” program on TRT World Television, Head of Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights Dr. Ahmad Shahidov responded the questions of presenter Andrea Sanke.

Facebook Comments