What happened before the clashes?

On September 19, the Azerbaijani side reported that a 'KamAZ' vehicle carrying personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, while en route to the location of a terrorist attack that occurred on the same day, resulting in the deaths of State Road Agency employees, was detonated by a mine at around 04:30 on the new tunnel road constructed in the village of Taghavardi/Taghaverd in the Khodjavend district, located on the 58th kilometer of the Ahmedbeyli-Fizuli-Shusha road. "This act was carried out by illegal Armenian armed groups with subversive and provocative intent, situated in an area temporarily stationed by peacekeepers," the report added.

"As a result of the terrorist attack, the following Ministry of Internal Affairs personnel lost their lives: Jamalzade Asim Knyaz oglu (born on February 5, 1994), Shirinov Ramil Arif oglu (born on July 8, 1987), Mahmudov Seymour Elsevyar oglu (born on July 12, 1991), and Zamanov Khazar Azer oglu (born on July 21, 1998)," the information added.

On the same day, Russian peacekeepers recorded one case of ceasefire violation in the Aghdere town of Karabakh. The message mentioned that the command of the Russian peacekeeping force is investigating with the participation of the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides regarding the incident.

Azerbaijan

On September 19, the Armenian armed forces in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan resorted to a series of large-scale military provocations and terrorist attacks, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported.

"Thus, civilians and military personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were killed and injured as a result of the explosion of mines pre-installed for terrorist purposes on the Ahmedbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway by Armenian intelligence-sabotage groups. In addition, our army units were fired from mortars and small arms of various calibers. As a result, two servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army were injured. In order to continue such provocations, the Armenian armed forces have strengthened their combat positions and brought their units to a high level of combat readiness," the report added.

"Within the framework of the measures taken, the front-line and deep positions and long-term firing points of the Armenian armed forces, as well as combat vehicles and military objects, are destroyed by high-precision weapons. The target of the measures taken is exclusively illegal military formations and military infrastructure. In no case is the Azerbaijani side targeting the civilian population. In this regard, the Armenian civilian population must stay away from military targets," the information said.

"The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the release of the so-called regime," it added.

On the same day, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that at about 11:45 [local time], formations of the Armenian armed forces in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeeping forces are temporarily deployed, using mortars and various caliber weapons subjected to fire the positions of the Azerbaijan Army stationed in the Aghdam region. "As a result, two servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army were wounded. The wounded servicemen were immediately provided with first medical aid," it said.

After two hours, the ministry said that systematic shelling of positions of the Azerbaijan Army by the formations of Armenia's armed forces using weapons of different calibers, continued mining, enhancement of engineering support for battle positions, as well as an increase in the number of trenches and shelters in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the past few months have further escalated the tensions. "In this regard, we have also registered fortification of battle positions with military personnel, armored vehicles, artillery gun mounts, and other firepower, bringing units to a high level of combat readiness, creation of additional mobilization units, expansion of reconnaissance activities against units of the Azerbaijan Army, as well as penetration in-depth of our positions to carry our reconnaissance-subversion acts by re-planting mines across already demined areas and the roads used for civilian purposes," the report added.

The Azerbaijani side noted that the formations of the Armenian armed forces in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, using artillery pieces are subjecting to fire by the Azerbaijan Army’s positions stationed in the direction of the Aghdam region.

After several minutes, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that the civilian population and civilian infrastructure facilities were not targeted during the local anti-terrorist activities conducted in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. "Only legitimate military targets are being incapacitated by the use of high-precision weapons available in the armament of the Azerbaijan Army," it added.

At 14:25 local time, the Azerbaijani side emphasized, "Local anti-terrorist activities carried out by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan are ongoing. As part of the activities, only legitimate military installations and infrastructure are targeted and incapacitated using high-precision weapons. Considering the deployment of firepower by Armenia’s armed forces formations near residential areas, we urge the civilian population to stay away from military facilities and not support the formations of Armenia’s armed forces. Related information was sent to Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan via mobile SMS service. At the same time, the population is warned through loudspeakers, and information leaflets are distributed."

The report added, "The protection and security of administrative, social, educational, medical, religious, and other facilities will be organized in line with the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms of international humanitarian law. Women, children, elderly people, as well as people with disabilities and the sick, will be rendered necessary medical aid and other assistance. They will be provided with drinking water and food. Humanitarian corridors and reception stations have been created on the Lachin road and in other directions to ensure the evacuation of the population from the danger zone."

Also, the ministry said that the Azerbaijan Army Units are precisely destroying combat positions, long-term firing points, combat equipment, and military facilities of the Armenian armed forces formations in the direction of Khojaly region and Girmizi Bazar.

At 15:36 local time, the ministry reported that as part of the local anti-terrorist activities in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, the next long-term firing points and military facilities belonging to the formations of the Armenian armed forces were destroyed by accurate fire strikes inflicted by the Azerbaijan Army Units.

Within the next 2 hours, the Azerbaijani side reported that the P-18 radar station belonging to the formations of the Armenian armed forces in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, was destroyed by accurate fire strike inflicted by the Azerbaijan Army Units in the direction of the Khojavend region. Moreover, it added that one of the ammunition depots belonging to the 5th defense brigade of the Armenian armed forces located in the Aghdara direction was destroyed.

Moreover, the Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport reported that a temporary restriction has been applied to the activity of the social network "TikTok" in the territory of Azerbaijan. "The institution called upon citizens to comply with the requirements of the country's legislation and the rules and conditions set by social network administrators when posting on social networks," the report added.

The Administration of the Azerbaijani president reported that the Administration invited representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to a dialogue several times in order to discuss reintegration issues; however, they refused every time. "However, in order to stop the anti-terrorist measures, the illegal Armenian armed groups should raise the white flag, all weapons should be handed over, and the illegal regime should release itself. Otherwise, anti-terrorist measures will be continued until the end," it was noted.

Armenia

Edmon Marukyan, the Ambassador-At-Large of Armenia, reminded that several days ago, the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States announced that Washington will not tolerate ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh. "Now that Azerbaijan has launched a large-scale aggression and military operation against the civilian population of Karabakh, it is the turn of the United States to say what steps should be taken to stop the aggression against the besieged and hungry people. Azerbaijan is committing a new war crime, killing peaceful and defenseless people. This must be condemned and stopped," Marukyan wrote in X, addressing the leaders of France, the US, and Europe.

On September 19, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that on September 18, during the meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani side presented narratives that sounded like diplomatic preparation to start concrete actions aimed at ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and for a new military escalation in the region.

"During the above-mentioned meeting, the representatives of Azerbaijan claimed that the Republic of Armenia rejects all proposals aimed at reducing tensions. It is unclear what proposals Azerbaijan is talking about, and it was not clarified in the communication about the meeting either. We consider it necessary to mention that the proposal for the mirror distancing of troops from the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border remains relevant, and the Republic of Armenia is ready to engage in discussions on its implementation with utmost priority," the report added.

The information said, "We do not understand Azerbaijan's considerations regarding the development of Armenia's military capabilities either. The Republic of Armenia has repeatedly stated that it has no intention to take aggressive actions against its neighbors, and the reforms in the military sector are aimed at ensuring its own territorial security. Regarding the situation created around Nagorno-Karabakh, we see the Baku-Stepanakert [Khankendi in Azerbaijani] dialogue as the path to reduce tensions, and we hope that international partners interested in regional stability will take additional steps to establish reliable mechanisms for such dialogue."

On the same day, the ministry reported that Azerbaijan unleashed another large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, aiming to complete its policy of ethnic cleansing. 

"We strongly condemn Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and the mass crime that took place exactly three years ago, in 2020. It is the continuation of the large-scale use of force unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh in September. Civilian settlements, the city of Stepanakert, and other cities and villages are subjected to shelling by Azerbaijan under the empty pretext of destruction of military objects," the report added.

"The Armenian side has repeatedly warned that the continuous aggressive actions of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, the unconcealed belligerent rhetoric, the absolutely false and reprehensible propaganda of calling the population of Nagorno-Karabakh 'terrorists' pursues one goal: to subject the population of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing through the use of force, to deprive the population of Nagorno-Karabakh of a free and from the right to live and create with dignity," the information noted.

"Among other things, the attack was preceded by the dissemination of false information by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan about mine laying and sabotage operations, which indicates the planning of the attack and the provision of the information field. We declare once again that the armed forces and military equipment of the Republic of Armenia are not stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, all the news about mine-laying and sabotage operations are false and fabricated," it said.

On the morning of September 19, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that the statement disseminated by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry that on September 19, at around 2:40 AM [local time], the units of the Armenian Armed Forces allegedly opened fire against the Azerbaijani combat outposts located in the eastern part of the border, does not correspond to reality.

After several hours, the ministry noted, "As previously, now again the Azerbaijani official reports and mass media continue to disseminate false statements as if there are Armed Forces units of the Republic of Armenia, military equipment, and personnel in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia has repeatedly stated that the Republic of Armenia does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh."

De-facto Nagorno-Karabakh

Artak Beglaryan, the de-facto former adviser to the Minister of State of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, said, "Aliyev's genocidal regime started the bloody phase of the genocide of Nagorno-Karabakh people after a long famine. These are the guarantees of your rights and security, Russia, USA, EU?"

Former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan reported massive artillery shelling by Azerbaijan. "We are under a massive artillery shelling. Armenia's leadership should recognize Nagorno-Karabakh and join the protection of its citizens. We must all protect our homeland!" Ruben Vardanyan said.

On September 19, the de-facto Defense Ministry of the separatist Karabakh reported that the Azerbaijani side spread the third false message that, on September 18, between 8:28 PM and 8:34 PM, the relevant units of the Defense Forces suppressed the GPS tracking of a civilian aircraft flying on the Baku-Tbilisi route. "By periodically spreading such false statements, Azerbaijan aims to divert the attention of the international community from the humanitarian disaster caused by the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and to prepare an information base for another provocation," the information said.

International reactions

Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, said on Twitter, "Devastating news coming from former Nagorno-Karabakh oblast today. Military actions of Azerbaijan must be immediately halted to allow for a genuine dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians."

France demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France also called on the official Baku to immediately stop military operations and comply with the norms of international law.

In a post on X, Annalena Baerbock, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, said, "Azerbaijan must immediately stop the shelling, return to the table, and negotiate. This is the only way forward to lasting peace. We support the negotiations led by the EU."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is in touch with both Azerbaijan and Armenia and has urged negotiations in order to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Peskov told a briefing that Russia was concerned about the latest escalation and considered ensuring civilian safety the most important issue.

United Nations Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric called for all military activity in the Nagorno-Karabakh region to cease and for a sustained and deep dialogue to begin. Dujarric said that UN Secretary-General António Guterres would speak to both Azerbaijan and Armenia’s delegations, which are currently in New York for the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. "There is no doubt that this will be raised sooner rather than later," Dujarric noted.

Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that the EU has condemned the military escalation in Karabakh and called on Azerbaijan to stop its current military activities. "There is an urgent need to return to dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians. This military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population," he said.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Russian side urges the conflicting sides to stop the bloodshed, immediately cease military actions, and return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement.

On September 19, a telephone conversation took place between Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, and Yashar Güler, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey. "Hasanov informed his counterpart about the local anti-terrorist activities carried out in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Mr. Y.Güler noted that Turkey always stands by Azerbaijan," the report added.

After several minutes, a telephone conversation took place between Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, and Army General Metin Gürak, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey. "Local anti-terrorist activities carried out in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan were discussed during the telephone conversation. It was emphasized that the fraternal Turkey, as always, stands by Azerbaijan," it was noted.