BAKU: Ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh have accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by Russia, marking a pivotal development in the ongoing conflict. This agreement comes just a day after Azerbaijan launched an offensive operation aimed at gaining control of the fiercely contested territory, accompanied by demands for a complete surrender.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have confirmed the ceasefire, which is set to take effect at 1:00 PM local time (09:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense has officially endorsed the cessation of hostilities. Additionally, President Ilham Aliyev’s office has verified talks with Armenian separatists scheduled for Thursday in Yevlkah, where discussions on “reintegration” with Azerbaijan are expected to take place.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence, which has maintained a peacekeeping presence in the region, also affirmed the ceasefire agreement. They emphasized that the implementation of the ceasefire would be conducted in collaboration with Russian peacekeepers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to reports from Russia’s Interfax news agency, the terms of the ceasefire include the withdrawal of remaining units of the Armenian army from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrender of weapons by Karabakh fighters. Armenia asserts that it has not stationed troops in the region since August 2021.
Conflict Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Over Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, boasts a population of approximately 120,000, primarily comprising ethnic Armenians. The territory operates its own government, which has maintained close ties with neighboring Armenia. However, it has not received official recognition from either Armenia or other United Nations member states.
Azerbaijan launched its military operation on Tuesday, citing attacks on its troops from the mountainous region, which it had blockaded for nine months. The Azerbaijani government asserted that its military campaign exclusively targeted military sites.
On Wednesday, ethnic Armenian forces claimed that Azerbaijani troops had penetrated their lines, capturing several strategic heights and road junctions. In a statement, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh expressed their acceptance of the Russian peacekeeping contingent’s proposal for a ceasefire, noting the inadequacy of international measures taken to resolve the situation amid the ongoing conflict.
