Azerbaijan announces end of operation after complete disarmament of de-facto Karabakh forces

On September 19, the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry hosted a briefing for foreign military attachés accredited to Azerbaijan and international organizations representatives, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. "It was noted that the purpose of the local anti-terror measures initiated in the region is to ensure the provisions of the Joint Trilateral Statement signed on November 10, 2020, to prevent large-scale provocations committed in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw the Armenian armed forces formations from Azerbaijani territories, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure safety of the civilian population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, safety of the civilian workers involved in the reconstruction work, the servicemen and to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan," the information said.

On the same day, the Ministry of Defense held a briefing for media representatives. At the briefing, Colonel Anar Eyvazov, the Head of the Press Service, said: "The local anti-terror measures carried out by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region continue successfully." "During local anti-terror measures, more than 60 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces formations passed under the control of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Moreover, more than 20 combat vehicles, 40 artillery installations, 30 mortars, 6 'Martira' electronic warfare (EW) stations, two anti-aircraft missile systems, and other military-purpose equipment belonging to the Armenian armed forces formations were destroyed," the report added. "The information spread in some Armenian social media resources about the firing of civilian objects by the Azerbaijan Army Units is provocative disinformation. The aim here is to harm the image of the Azerbaijan Army and create a misconception about local anti-terror measures in the international community. From the videos shared on the official website and social media accounts of the Ministry of Defense, it is clear that Azerbaijan Army Units strike only legitimate military targets," it added.

At 22:11 local time, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry once again called on the formations of the Armenian armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to lay down their weapons and surrender. In this case, anti-terror measures will be stopped. "We are in operational contact with the Russian peacekeeping contingent temporarily stationed in the territory of Azerbaijan, and we are creating all conditions for them to fulfill their duties," the report added.

On September 20, the Ministry of Defense held another briefing for media representatives. Colonel Anar Eyvazov said: "The local anti-terror measures carried out by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh economic region continue. In the course of the local anti-terror measures, six 'Ural' military vehicles filled with mortar shells, and four mortars belonging to the Armenian armed forces formations were taken as war booty by the Azerbaijan Army Units."

At 14:00, the Ministry of Defense held another briefing for media representatives. Anar Eyvazov noted, "As of this hour, more than 90 combat positions of the formations of Armenia’s armed forces, as well as several strategically important high grounds, have been passed under the control of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Moreover, seven military vehicles, four mortars, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and a large number of weapons and ammunition belonging to the opposing side were seized as a war trophy."

"In addition, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that during local anti-terror measures, some social media network accounts called on the population under the name of aiding the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Citizens are asked for money and food by joining various aid campaigns. The Ministry of Defense officially urges citizens not to respond to such calls. All necessary work has been carried out to strengthen the material and technical base of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces, as well as to further improve food and other supplies; the necessary measures are being implemented as planned to provide Azerbaijan Army Units in accordance with the standards and without interruptions in any conditions," Colonel Eyvazov emphasized.

Then, a statement of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan was conveyed to the participants: "The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan states that considering the appeal by the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement has been reached as of 13:00, September 20, 2023, to stop the anti-terror measures under the following terms:

1. The formations of Armenia’s armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts, and are subjected to complete disarmament.

2. Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.

3. Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured."

At the end of the briefing, it was noted that the leadership of the Ministry of Defense gave the troops relevant instructions in this regard.

Pashinyan talks about the agreement and addresses the nation

In his televised speech on September 20, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his government did not participate in the ceasefire agreement. "Armenia did not participate in the preparation of the ceasefire declaration in Nagorno-Karabakh through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers," Pashinyan added.

Pashinyan expressed hope that there would be no new military escalation. "Now, the most important issue is that the right of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to live in their homes is fully guaranteed by the Russian Federation," he noted.

In a live broadcast on September 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan has actually started concrete actions to ethnically cleanse the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

He recalled that on September 19, around 13.00, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces started shelling the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, after some time, they also started making attempts to break the line of contact and occupy the positions of the Defense Army of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as, according to some reports, to take control of settlements. "Of course, we maintain contacts with Nagorno-Karabakh, although there are certain problems with communication. But the general information is that first, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh was attacked by various means, including rocket artillery, and then a ground operation was deployed against Nagorno-Karabakh from several directions. During this period, of course, Azerbaijan is also providing information support to the operations. For us, it was strange information that Azerbaijan officially informed Russia about the beginning of these operations. Of course, this is Azerbaijan's information. However, the fact is that we have not received any information about this operation from our Russian partners," Pashinyan noted.

According to the Prime Minister, it cannot be said that this situation was unpredictable; the Armenian side has been recording the growth of tension for a long time. "Thus, Azerbaijan has actually launched a ground operation of ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. We believe that, first, the Russian peacekeeping forces should take measures, and second, we expect the UN Security Council to take measures as well," the Armenian prime minister said.

Pashinyan further noted that, unfortunately, there have already been comments trying to link the ongoing process to one or another Armenian decision. "However, I would like to reiterate what I have said many times: the Republic of Armenia did not give anyone a mandate to carry out ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. And our constant problem has been and will remain ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has always been on our agenda," he pointed out. Pashinyan found it odd Azerbaijan's statement that they will leave a humanitarian corridor for the exit of the civilian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. In his opinion, this is one of the signs of ethnic cleansing against Karabakh Armenians. "If they claim that a so-called anti-terrorist operation is underway, and civilian infrastructure and citizens are unharmed, then the question arises: why do they claim that people can use the humanitarian corridor to leave Nagorno-Karabakh? If what they were saying had any relation to reality, on the contrary, they should have called on citizens to take cover, stay in shelters, and not go out to places where they might get hurt. This logic that Azerbaijan is developing clearly shows the beginning of a concrete ethnic cleansing operation," the prime minister added.

Moreover, he said that Armenia is not involved in military actions and does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh. The head of the government noted that, at the moment, the situation along Armenia's border with Azerbaijan is relatively stable, there are no visible and significant changes in the situation. "But, as I said and am saying now, the main and key goal of this 'operation' is to involve the Republic of Armenia in military actions," Pashinyan pointed out.

According to him, the Azerbaijani side disseminates information that they are attacking units of the Armenian Armed Forces, representing the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army as such. "Unfortunately, the same information is repeated by a number of our partners, who say that we call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop military actions. I want to state that the Republic of Armenia is not involved in military actions, and once again, I want to state that the Republic of Armenia does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh," Pashinyan emphasized.

Armenian Foreign Ministry holds a briefing about the situation in Karabakh

On September 19, Deputy Foreign Ministers of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan and Paruyr Hovhanisyan held a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations accredited in Armenia regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from another large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan.

"The Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the latest large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, emphasizing that armed forces of Azerbaijan are targeting civilian settlements, including Stepanakert, Askeran, and other cities and villages, using large-caliber artillery. The Deputy Foreign Minister also briefed the attendees on the official response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia regarding the false narrative disseminated by Azerbaijan," the report added.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan noted that in the absence of an adequate response from the international community, Azerbaijan will not be limited to unleashing aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh and may also use force against the sovereign territory of Armenia, taking into account the active accumulation of Azerbaijani armed forces on the Armenian-Azerbaijani interstate border.

Protests in Armenia 

On September 19, Andranik Tevanyan, the leader of the Mother Armenia opposition bloc, called on his fellow citizens to join the protest rally in front of the government building in Republic Square for three hours and carry out the change of power.

In Yerevan, protesters attempted to storm the government building, explosions were being heard, and police were using special means. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and entry into the war in Karabakh against Azerbaijan.

Police standing in a cordon around the Armenian government building repelled the first attempt to storm the protesters in Yerevan. The country's National Security Service said it would take measures to neutralize any actions aimed at destabilizing the situation.

In clashes between protesters and police near the government building in Yerevan, 34 people, including 16 police officers, were injured. It is noted that 17 of them received necessary medical aid and were discharged, and 16 injured continue to receive assistance. 

On September 20, at 3 AM local time, the protesters near the Armenian government building have mostly dispersed, and traffic on the streets adjacent to the Republic Square has been restored.

International reactions and diplomatic talks

Against the backdrop of the large-scale escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said, "One day, a colleague of mine from a brotherly country said to me, 'Well, I'm a stranger to you, you won't accept me.' I said what I had to say: 'Let's judge not by biography but by deeds.' Then he lost the war, but strangely, he stayed in place. Then, he decided to blame Russia for his botched defeat. Then, he gave up part of his country's territory. Then he decided to flirt with NATO, and his wife defiantly went to our enemies with cookies."

Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Ani Badalyan confirmed that an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh will be held on September 21. "Armenia sent a letter to the UN Security Council and, in parallel with France, requested an emergency meeting on the issue of Azerbaijan's large-scale military aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. The meeting will be held on September 21. A clear condemnation and appropriate actions are extremely necessary," the spokeswoman said.

On September 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. During the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the current situation in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev stressed that these actions, including the so-called presidential elections in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 9, were a continuation of deliberate provocations against the sovereignty of Azerbaijan by Armenia and the so-called separatist entity established and supported by it. The President of Azerbaijan said that to prevent such provocative and inciting actions, Azerbaijan had to launch local anti-terror measures in the region. The head of state emphasized that during the anti-terror measures, civilian population and infrastructure facilities are not being targeted; only legitimate military targets are incapacitated. 

Antony Blinken expressed concern about the situation, called for a ceasefire, and said that the United States supports direct dialogue between Baku and representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region.

On September 19, Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with Antony Blinken. "The situation in Nagorno Karabakh resulted by the attack of Azerbaijan was discussed. The sides emphasized the inadmissibility of using force and the need to apply international mechanisms for de-escalation," the report added.

After several minutes, Pashinyan spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. "The situation in Nagorno Karabakh resulted by the attack of Azerbaijan was discussed. The sides emphasized the inadmissibility of using force and the need to apply international mechanisms for de-escalation. The President of France informed that in connection with the created situation, France is initiating an emergency session at the UN Security Council," the information said.