An anti-terrorist operation has been initiated by Azerbaijan, as confirmed by the defense ministry in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian forces mainly control this region, and Azerbaijan has a claim on this region.
Azerbaijan’s defense ministry has launched an operation against Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the defense ministry, this operation is against the anti-terrorist activities launched by the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh. The defense ministry stresses that this operation will be against target military structures, and no other purpose is behind it.
The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan stated on Tuesday. It said, “Local anti-terrorist activities carried out by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan are ongoing. Only legitimate military installations and infrastructure are targeted and incapacitated using high-precision weapons as part of the activities.” Azerbaijan adds that its forces have created humanitarian corridors. This incentive will help civilians evacuate the affected areas.
On the other hand, Armenia considered it a “full-scale aggression”. Armenia’s foreign ministry wants the intervention of Russian peacekeeping troops to stop the civilian casualties due to this operation. A news agency, Agence France-Presse, reported that explosions were heard from the capital. Interestingly, Armenia and Azerbaijan call this de facto capital with different names. In Azerbaijan, it is known as Khankendi. Conversely, Armenians know it with the name of Stepanakert.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, they do not have any military personnel or equipment in this particular region of Karabakh.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been a bone of contention between Azerbaijan and Armenia for years, and both have already come in front of each other many times before. Internationally, it is a part of Azerbaijan. However, Armenia controls most of the region with the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) or the Republic of Artsakh.
Three years ago, in 2020, both countries fought for the area. During that war, Azerbaijan recaptured some territories that had been under the control of Armenia since 1994. Since December 2022, Azerbaijan has had control over the only route that gives a link to Armenia to enter into the region. This region is called the Lachin Corridor.
