UN holds meeting on recent situation in the Karabakh region

On September 21, a briefing was held at the UN Security Council.

Miroslav Jenča, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Politics and Peacebuilding Operations, made an opening speech at the briefing chaired by Albania. The Assistant Secretary General said that after the death of two civilians and four police officers as a result of a mine explosion on September 19, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures of a local nature in the Karabakh economic region. "We also consider it a positive step that the representatives of the local residents of Karabakh and the Azerbaijani government met this morning for preliminary exchange," Jenča said.

Following the speech of the UN representative, the members of the UN Security Council, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia, as well as the ambassadors of the UAE, Switzerland, Brazil, Turkey, and other countries, gave speeches. They expressed their concern that it would aggravate the humanitarian situation.

During his speech at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that in the course of military operations deployed by Azerbaijan, the deaths of more than 200 people in Nagorno-Karabakh have been confirmed, including among civilians, and more than 10,000 people have been forcibly displaced. "The intensity and brutality of the offensive actions clearly indicate that it is dictated by the intention to complete the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 200 people have been preliminarily confirmed dead, and more than 400 others have been wounded, including civilians, women, the elderly, and children. More than 10 thousand have become forcibly displaced persons," Mirzoyan said.

The Armenian Foreign Minister said creating an opportunity for peacekeeping forces under the UN mandate is necessary to ensure stability and security in Nagorno-Karabakh. "It is necessary to demand the withdrawal of Azerbaijani military and law enforcement bodies from civilian settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh in order to exclude panic, provocations, and escalation until the result of negotiations. Create an opportunity for peacekeeping forces under the UN mandate to ensure stability and security in Nagorno-Karabakh," Mirzoyan noted. "It is necessary to ensure a sustainable international mechanism of dialog between representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and official Baku to deal with issues that are related to the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan's punitive actions against Nagorno-Karabakh's military and political figures should be excluded," Mirzoyan stressed.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Karabakh, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that anti-terrorist activities have demonstrated the scale of Armenia's militarization of internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan.

"The anti-terrorist activities have demonstrated the scale of Armenia's militarization in spite of its commitments made on the basis of the trilateral statement on the cessation of all military activities against Azerbaijan and withdrawal of forces from the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan. No sovereign state would tolerate such an illegal military presence on its territory. Neither can Azerbaijan. In order to protect the health and safety of all its citizens, Azerbaijan has taken actions fully consistent with its rights under international law and its own Constitution. Thus, Armenia's systematic attempts to create a new status quo through the illegal use of force on the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan and to preserve the gray zone by invoking the 'logic of the line of contact' have been foiled," he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - Armenia and Azerbaijan - should return to the negotiating table through EU mediation at the UN General Assembly. "People in the region need a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And it can only be achieved at the negotiating table. We want to make this very clear: I call on both sides to return to EU-mediated talks," said Baerbock, who spoke immediately after the Armenian and Azerbaijani speeches. Baerbock condemned the blocking of humanitarian corridors and called not to question the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both sides of the conflict. At the same time, she called the expulsion of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh an unacceptable step. According to the minister, the Lachin corridor should remain a cultural and humanitarian bridge between the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and their compatriots in Armenia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Ankara believes that the escalation in Karabakh has nothing to do with the leadership of Armenia and personally Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the election of the Karabakh president has caused concern to both Baku and Yerevan. "The recent events are not related to Pashinyan and Armenia, they are related to marauding Armenian groups in Karabakh. Their attempt to hold elections for the so-called president seriously worried both Pashinyan and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan felt that by doing so, they were adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing process," Erdoğan said in New York. According to Erdoğan, the Karabakh Armenians took several steps, in response to which Baku carried out an operation. "I was informed that Baku hit about 90 important positions and thus completed the operation," Erdoğan added.

Josep Borrell: "EU to take retaliatory measures if Baku allows new escalation"

On September 21, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the European Union will take retaliatory measures against Azerbaijan if Baku starts forcibly displacing the population of Nagorno-Karabakh or allows a new escalation in the region. "Azerbaijan has a responsibility to ensure the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes without intimidation and discrimination," the statement said.

"Forced displacement of civilians by military or other means will meet with a strong EU response. The EU is ready to take appropriate measures should the situation deteriorate further," the EU high representative stressed. "The EU condemns Azerbaijan's military operation and regrets the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation," Borrell added. "The EU took note of the ceasefire statements. Brussels expects an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities and respect for the ceasefire," the official noted. "In addition, the EU calls on Azerbaijan to provide immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to the population in need, including through the full opening of the Lachin corridor," Borrel emphasized. "Humanitarian organizations should be able to operate freely," he stated. Borrel emphasized that the EU is ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the region's residents. 

On September 22, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated that the statement made on September 21 by the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy regarding the recent events in the region and intentionally distorting the realities in the region is completely inadequate.

"Today, the EU's clear disregard for the constructive discussions held in Yevlakh between the Azerbaijani Government and the representatives of the Armenian residents regarding the reintegration of the said residents, the restoration of the infrastructure, and the organization of activities based on the Constitution and legislation of Azerbaijan once again demonstrates the narrow political goals of certain circles within the Union," the report added.

"As for the claims regarding the humanitarian situation and ensuring the rights and security of the local Armenian residents, Azerbaijan, with the support of international partners, will provide the necessary assistance to improve the social and humanitarian situation of the local Armenian residents in accordance with the results of today's meeting, and any possible interference against our country's steps in this direction. We inform you that it will not give benefits and results," it said.

Pashinyan talks about the hybrid war against Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army and refutes false information in Armenian media

At the Cabinet of Ministers session on September 22, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that a hybrid war is being waged against Armenia, first of all in the information field. According to him, in the context of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, it is necessary to be as attentive as possible and be in constant communication with the society. Pashinyan also assured that the government will do its utmost to improve the internal political situation in the country.

He recalled his statement made the day before that there is no direct threat to the lives of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. "This assessment will remain valid, but it may change due to the dynamic nature of the situation," he added. "We must maintain active cooperation with the media so that people receive correct information. In the current emotional situation, any negative information can have an equally negative impact on the situation and the decision-making process. That is why assessing the situation based on verified information is important," he added.

During a live broadcast on social media on September 21, Pashinyan added that Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army units remain in the positions where they were at the time of the ceasefire agreement. "According to the data as of this moment, the Defense Army units continue to remain in the places where they were at the time of the ceasefire. The same, respectively, applies to the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. According to our information, unfortunately, there was one incident near Stepanakert today. In general, the ceasefire regime is being observed," the head of the Armenian government stated.

At the same time, he added that some ceasefire violations are still recorded in different parts of the line of contact. Pashinyan noted that he is commenting on this topic as rumors about the penetration of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces into Stepanakert have emerged. "There is no such thing. There are, of course, difficulties with communication. As far as I know from our Karabakh colleagues, there are certain problems on the roads leading to Martuni and Martakert [Aghdere in Azerbaijani], but generally, the situation is stable," he said.

According to Pashinyan, rumors about the mass deaths of civilians also do not correspond to reality. "Official data correspond to reality, there is no other confirmed information," the Prime Minister pointed out. "There is no direct threat to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh at present, but a working group has already been formed in Armenia, and a plan has been developed to accommodate about 40 thousand families from the unrecognized republic," Pashinyan informed citizens.

Armenia to open humanitarian station to overcome the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh

At the session of the Armenian government on September 22, the resolution adopted that the Armenian government will open a "humanitarian station" in the village of Kornidzor in the Syunik region (at the entrance to the Lachin corridor) to overcome the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The station's establishment is aimed at uniting the efforts of international organizations and initiatives, ensuring the safety of humanitarian cargoes to be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh, and objectively presenting data on the humanitarian crisis to foreign human rights organizations and journalists. About $40,000 has been allocated from the government's reserve fund for these purposes.

"The relocation of Karabakh Armenians to Armenia may take place if their living in their homes becomes impossible, the exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh is not Yerevan's main plan," Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier. "If the situation does not improve, the problem will be on our agenda. I would like to inform you that back on September 19, the day the hostilities started, I instructed Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan to discuss with government partners how to help compatriots in case of an influx of people from Nagorno-Karabakh," Pashinyan said. According to him, more than 40,000 places have been prepared in Armenia to receive Karabakh residents, and the issues of providing them with food and medicine in case of evacuation have been resolved. "We are ready and continue to prepare. This is an agreed position with our colleagues from Nagorno-Karabakh," he stressed.

Russian peacekeepers continue to provide assistance 

On September 21, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian peacekeepers continue to assist the Nagorno-Karabakh population. "Through the mediation of the command of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent (RCC), 1340 people, 607 of them children, continue to stay in the location of peacekeepers," it added.

Military medics of the Russian Special Purpose Medical Detachment provide qualified medical assistance to civilians. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that peacekeepers maintain continuous interaction with Baku and Stepanakert [Khankendi in Azerbaijani] aimed at preventing bloodshed, ensuring security and compliance with humanitarian law with regard to civilians, as well as ensuring the safety of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Hikmet Hajiyev: "Baku will not bring criminal responsibility to Armenian fighters who laid down their weapons"

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev said that official Baku will not bring criminal responsibility to Armenian fighters who laid down their weapons. "Azerbaijan is considering the possibility of amnesty for members of illegal Armenian armed formations from Karabakh who surrender their weapons, despite statements by some separatists about their intention to continue resistance. We are considering the possibility of amnesty even for former military personnel and militants," Hajiyev said, adding that there are currently separate groups and officers who have publicly stated that they will not accept the proposed conditions and will continue to resist.

On September 21, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan met with the head of the Baku Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international partners of Azerbaijan. He noted that during the meeting with the ICRC, the Azerbaijani side has provided and will do all the necessary conditions for the delivery of medicine, food, and other products via the Lachin-Khankendi and Aghdam-Khankendi roads. "The strict adherence to International Humanitarian Law and prevention of harm by all means was appreciated. At the meeting with the ICRC, we stated that all necessary conditions for the delivery of medicine, food, and other goods by the ICRC through the Lachin-Khankendi and Aghdam-Khankendi roads have been created and will be provided," he noted. Hajiyev said, "We are ready to allocate emergency medical vehicles and provide medical assistance. Medical vehicles for medical evacuation to Armenia can also come from Armenia. Work is underway with Russian peacekeepers to collect the corpses of the fighters left in the square." He declared that official Baku supports the reception of additional staff from the Geneva office of the ICRC. 

Azerbaijan sends aid to Karabakh after Yevlakh meeting

On September 22, the Azerbaijani government sent another humanitarian aid to the Armenian residents living in Karabakh. The humanitarian aid includes flour, bread, oil, sugar powder, tea, various types of candies, pasta, vermicelli, bulgur, rice products, and hygienic products produced in special packages.

Mirali Feyziyev, the head of the Karabakh Regional Center of the Ministry of Emergencies, said that two trucks with a capacity of 20 tons each were sent to Khankendi with necessary food products and hygiene products, as well as two trucks full of bread. "It will move along the Khankendi road. After the caravan reaches its destination, it will be distributed to the population," he added.

Hungary blocks joint statement of EU countries condemning Azerbaijan

On September 22, Hungary blocked a joint statement by the European Union (EU) regarding the situation in Karabakh. According to the information, the initially planned joint statement by all 27 EU member states regarding Azerbaijan’s counterterrorism operations in Karabakh, which was perceived as biased against Azerbaijan, was blocked by Hungary. The statement was related to the actions of Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, concerning the situation in Karabakh.

New protests in Armenia

On September 22, according to the police, 84 people were detained and accused of not following the instructions of the police.

Opposition leaders announced plans to start impeachment proceedings against Pashinyan. On the morning of September 22, those who protested against the government blocked the roads in the capital and began to gather in the central Republic Square. The police cleaned the streets and made mass arrests.

Demonstrators said they will continue protesting until Pashinyan leaves office. They said they would disrupt the government meeting, which was expected to be held in the afternoon. Andranik Tevanyan, one of the protest organizers, has reportedly been detained. Tevanyan said at the demonstrations on September 21 that Pashinyan's removal from the post of prime minister will happen in a very short time, even in a few days.