Russia deploying 'peacekeeping' forces to Nagorno-Karabakh after trilateral deal
People celebrating the deal in Azerbaijan's Ganja city. (Photos: AA)
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Russia's peacekeeping forces are reportedly en route to Nagorno-Karabakh for deployment there under a deal reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"In order to control the cease-fire and the cessation of military actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, a Russian peacekeeping contingent is being deployed consisting of 1,960 servicemen, 90 armored vehicles, 380 units of vehicles and special equipment," Russia's state-run news agency TASS reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
"The peacekeepers are being sent by Il-76 planes from the airfield in Ulyanovsk," the agency added.
Victorious Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have liberated from occupation Mets Taglar, Salaketin, Zogalbulag, Aragul, Tagavard, Boyuk Tagavard, Zerdanashen and Sheher villages of Khojavend, Shushakend, Mukhtar and Dashalti villages of Khojaly, Ashagi Guzdek, Govshalti, Mirzejamalli,
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) November 9, 2020
"The contingent will be mainly formed of units of the 15th separate motor rifle brigade of the Central Military District," the agency reported.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced today (November 10) that Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a deal to end the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Upper Karabakh.
Relations between the two former Soviet republics over Upper Karabakh have remained tense since 1991, but fresh clashes broke out on September 27.
Pashinyan: It was a hard decision
Armenia's PM Nikol Pashinyan said today that it was "a very hard decision" to sign a deal to end the conflict.
In a statement on social media, Nikol Pashinyan said the decision was made after a deep analysis of the military situation and assessment by people with knowledge.
Protests erupted in Armenia after Pashinyan admitted defeat by signing the deal with Azerbaijan and Russia to halt the fighting.
Protesters gathered in front of a government building in the capital Yerevan and broke windows and chanted slogans against Pashinyan.
Celebrations in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijanis celebrated the signing of a deal early Tuesday ending the longstanding conflict over Upper Karabakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.
They took to the streets after President Ilham Aliyev described the agreement reached to halt fighting over the region as the defeat of Armenia.
In his televised address, Aliyev said Agdam District will be delivered to Baku as of November 20 while Kalbajar will be returned by November 15 and Lachin by December 1.
The capital Baku was the scene of celebrations despite the early hour.
Some people danced in the streets while others celebrated in convoys of cars.
Some cried out of happiness and others sang songs and the national anthem.
In Ganja, the second-largest city in the country, people also celebrated.
Hundreds of people gathered in Ganja's main square carrying the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey.
About the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous region of approximately 4,400 square kilometers in the Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Relations between the two former Soviet countries have been tense since 1989 over Nagorno-Karabakh, or Upper Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan populated mostly by Armenians. In 1989, the parliament of Azerbaijan removed Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomous status, which had been in place since 1923. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Armenia began military operations into Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991. In the same year, the separatist administration in Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence. The Azeri people of the region had boycotted the independence referendum. The independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh republic, is not recognized by any United Nations member state, including Armenia. Four UN Security Council and two UN General Assembly resolutions as well as many international organizations demand the withdrawal of the occupying forces. The OSCE Minsk Group – co-chaired by France, Russia and the US – was formed in 1992 to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. A cease-fire was agreed upon in 1994. France, Russia and NATO, among others, have urged an immediate halt to clashes in the occupied region. During the conflict between 1988-1994, about one million people were displaced and 30,000 were killed. |
(TP/VK)
