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{{Short description|Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan (2020)}} | ||
{{About|the armed conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020|the armed conflict between 1988 and 1994|First Nagorno-Karabakh War|}} | |||
{{pp-semi|small=yes}} | |||
{{pp-extended|small=yes}} | |||
{{POV|talk=RfC:_Disputed_or_occupied|date=October 2020}} | |||
{{ |
{{EngvarB|date=March 2022}} | ||
{{ |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} | ||
{{ |
{{Infobox military conflict | ||
| conflict = |
| conflict = Second Nagorno-Karabakh War | ||
| partof = the ] and the ] | | partof = the ] | ||
| image = |
| image = 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.svg | ||
| image_size = 300px | | image_size = 300px | ||
| caption = {{leftlegend|#3ac4c6|Areas captured by ] during the war}} | |||
| caption = Pre-ceasefire situation from 9 November 2020{{efn|For a more detailed map, see ].}} | |||
{{leftlegend|#7db47c|Areas ceded to Azerbaijan under the ]}} | |||
| date = {{nowrap|{{Start date|2020|9|27|df=y}} – {{End date|2020|11|10|df=y}}<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=09|day1=27|year1=2020|month2=11|day2=10|year2=2020}})<ref name="peace">{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/11/09/armenian-pm-announces-end-to-nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-a71997|title=Deal Struck to End Nagorno-Karabakh War|publisher=The Moscow Times |access-date=10 November 2020|date=10 November 2020}}</ref>}} | |||
{{leftlegend|#fdae7b|Areas in ] proper remaining under the control of ]}} | |||
| place = ], ], ], ] | |||
{{leftlegend|#7ba2dd|] and ] monastery, patrolled by Russian peacekeepers}} | |||
| date = 27 September – 10 November 2020 (1 month and 2 weeks)<ref name="peace">{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/11/09/armenian-pm-announces-end-to-nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-a71997|title=Deal Struck to End Nagorno-Karabakh War|publisher=The Moscow Times|access-date=10 November 2020|date=10 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| place = ] | |||
| width = 300px | | width = 300px | ||
<!-- RESULT -->| result = Azerbaijani victory<!-- Do not use terms such as "decisive", per ] --><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20201210-one-nation-two-states-on-display-as-erdogan-visits-azerbaijan-for-karabakh-victory-parade|title='One nation, two states' on display as Erdogan visits Azerbaijan for Karabakh victory parade|date=10 December 2020|publisher=]|quote=Azerbaijan's historic win was an important geopolitical coup for Erdogan who has cemented Turkey's leading role as a powerbroker in the ex-Soviet Caucasus region.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|date=10 November 2020|publisher=]|quote=The BBC's Orla Guerin in Baku says that, overall, the deal should be read as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia.}}</ref> | |||
| coordinates = | |||
<!-- TERRITORIAL CHANGES -->| territory = Azerbaijan gains control of 72% of {{dubious span|disputed territory|date=December 2024}} | |||
| map_type = | |||
<!-- COMBATANTS -->| combatant1 = '''{{flag|Azerbaijan}}'''<br>{{flag|Turkey}} (alleged by Armenia)<ref name="Kommersant conflict">{{cite news |title=Принуждение к конфликту |trans-title=Coercion to conflict |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4537733 |work=] |language=Russian |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="NY_Times_Explainer">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan: What Sparked War and Will Peace Prevail? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/armenian-azerbaijan-conflict.html |access-date=4 March 2021 |work=]|date=29 January 2021 |quote=Armenia has said that Turkey was directly involved in the fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, and that a Turkish F-16 fighter shot down an Armenian jet. Turkey denied those accusations.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tsvetkova |first1=Maria |last2=Auyezov |first2=Olzhas |date=9 November 2020 |title=Analysis: Russia and Turkey keep powder dry in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-allies-analysis/analysis-russia-and-turkey-keep-powder-dry-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-idUSKBN27P0MN |work=] |access-date=4 March 2021 |quote=Turkey's support for Azerbaijan has been vital, and Azerbaijan's superior weaponry and battlefield advances have reduced its incentive to reach a lasting peace deal. Ankara denies its troops are involved in fighting but Aliyev has acknowledged some Turkish F-16 fighter jets remained in Azerbaijan after a military drill this summer, and there are reports of Russian and Turkish drones being used by both sides.}}</ref><br>{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} ]{{efn|Denied by Azerbaijan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-it-fighters-from-syria|date=28 September 2020|title=Azerbaijan denies Turkey sent it fighters from Syria|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007050935/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-it-fighters-from-syria|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-accuses-armenia-of-rocket-attack|date=5 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of rocket attack|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Türkiye'nin Dağlık Karabağ'a paralı asker gönderdiği iddiası|date=29 September 2020|url=https://www.dw.com/tr/türkiyenin-dağlık-karabağa-paralı-asker-gönderdiği-iddiası/a-55088342|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=tr|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002022949/https://www.dw.com/tr/t%C3%BCrkiyenin-da%C4%9Fl%C4%B1k-karaba%C4%9Fa-paral%C4%B1-asker-g%C3%B6nderdi%C4%9Fi-iddias%C4%B1/a-55088342|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ed Butler |title=The Syrian mercenaries used as 'cannon fodder' in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55238803 |website=] |access-date=23 July 2024 |date=10 December 2020 |quote=Although Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey deny the use of mercenaries, researchers have amassed a considerable amount of photographic evidence, drawn from videos and photographs the fighters have posted online, which tells a different story.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cookman |first1=Liz |title=Syrians Make Up Turkey's Proxy Army in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/05/nagorno-karabakh-syrians-turkey-armenia-azerbaijan/ |website=] |access-date=23 July 2024 |date=5 October 2020 |quote=According to sources within the Syrian National Army (SNA), the umbrella term for a group of opposition militias backed by Turkey, around 1,500 Syrians have so far been deployed to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in the southern Caucasus ... Shortly after conflict erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey sought to mobilize the SNA, sometimes called Turkey’s proxy army ... The first fighters were transferred in late September to southern Turkey and then flown from Gaziantep to Ankara, before being transferred to Azerbaijan on Sept. 25.}}</ref> | |||
| latitude = | |||
| combatant2 = '''{{flag|Artsakh}}'''<br />'''{{flag|Armenia}}''' | |||
| longitude = | |||
<!-- COMMANDERS -->| commander1 = {{plainlist| | |||
| map_caption = | |||
| map_label = | |||
| territory = During the war: | |||
* Azerbaijan gains control of 5 cities, 4 towns, 240 villages,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnturk.com/dunya/son-dakika-haberi-azerbaycan-cumhurbaskani-duyurdu-49-yerlesim-yeri-daha-kurtarildi|title=Son dakika haberi: Azerbaycan Cumhurbaşkanı duyurdu: 49 yerleşim yeri daha kurtarıldı|publisher=CNN Türk|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|language=tr}}</ref> and the entire ] | |||
Post-]: | |||
* Azerbaijan will retain the areas of Nagorno-Karabakh that it captured during the war, all Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to be ] back to Azerbaijan by 1 December 2020. | |||
* Azerbaijan is granted direct land access to its ] of ] via a corridor through ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=10 November 2020|title=Facing Military Debacle, Armenia Accepts a Deal in Nagorno-Karabakh War|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/armenia-settlement-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan.html|url-status=live|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111011541/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/armenia-settlement-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan.html|archive-date=11 November 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> while Armenia is granted access to Nagorno-Karabakh through ]. | |||
| result = Azerbaijani victory<!-- Do not use terms such as "decisive", per ] --><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/bfb04708-3f6c-4659-b6ed-9ec7b01e75f4|title=Azerbaijan and Armenia agree full ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh|date=10 November 2020|publisher=Financial Times|quote=Agreement is seen as victory for Baku and will be monitored by Russian forces}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|date=10 November 2020|publisher=BBC|quote=The BBC's Orla Guerin in Baku says that, overall, the deal should be read as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia.}}</ref> | |||
* ] signed on 10 November 2020.<ref name="peace"/> | |||
* Azerbaijan retains control over the territories that it recaptured during the war. | |||
* Russian peacekeeping forces to be deployed to the region.<ref name="Turkey, Russia to set up joint center to watch Nagorno-Karabakh peace"/> | |||
* Start of the ]. | |||
* ] signed on 11 November 2020, for the formation of the Joint Turkish–Russian Center.<ref name="Turkey, Russia to set up joint center to watch Nagorno-Karabakh peace">{{cite web |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-russia-to-set-up-joint-center-to-watch-nagorno-karabakh-peace-159920|title=Turkey, Russia to set up joint center to watch Nagorno-Karabakh peace|date=11 November 2020|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News}}</ref> | |||
| combatant1 = '''{{flag|Azerbaijan}}''' | |||
* ] ]<ref name="Macron"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-turkey-syria-idUSKBN26J25A|title=Turkey deploying Syrian fighters to help ally Azerbaijan, two fighters say|agency=Reuters|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008220322/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-turkey-syria-idUSKBN26J25A|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54356334|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict: Azerbaijan president vows to fight on|date=30 September 2020|website=bbc.com|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213255/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54356334|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guard">{{cite web|last1=Carley|first1=Patricia|title=Turkey recruiting Syrians to guard troops and facilities in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-syrians-recruiting-guard-facilities|publisher=Middle East Eye|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002075651/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-syrians-recruiting-guard-facilities|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/nagorno-karabakh-at-least-three-syrian-fighters-killed|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: at least three Syrian fighters killed|first1=Bethan|last1=McKernan |first2=Michael|last2=Safi|date=30 September 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008211028/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/nagorno-karabakh-at-least-three-syrian-fighters-killed|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Denied by Azerbaijan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-it-fighters-from-syria|date=28 September 2020|title=Azerbaijan denies Turkey sent it fighters from Syria|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007050935/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-it-fighters-from-syria|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theguardian0410">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-accuses-armenia-of-rocket-attack|date=5 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of rocket attack|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Türkiye'nin Dağlık Karabağ'a paralı asker gönderdiği iddiası|date=29 September 2020 |url=https://www.dw.com/tr/t%C3%BCrkiyenin-da%C4%9Fl%C4%B1k-karaba%C4%9Fa-paral%C4%B1-asker-g%C3%B6nderdi%C4%9Fi-iddias%C4%B1/a-55088342|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=tr|access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002022949/https://www.dw.com/tr/t%C3%BCrkiyenin-da%C4%9Fl%C4%B1k-karaba%C4%9Fa-paral%C4%B1-asker-g%C3%B6nderdi%C4%9Fi-iddias%C4%B1/a-55088342|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
{{plainlist| | |||
* '''Supported by:''' | |||
* {{flag|Turkey}}<ref>{{cite web|title=F-16s Reveal Turkey's Drive to Expand Its Role in the Southern Caucasus|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/f-16s-reveal-turkeys-drive-expand-its-role-southern-caucasus|publisher=Stratfor|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20201010133045/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/f-16s-reveal-turkeys-drive-expand-its-role-southern-caucasus|archive-date=10 October 2020 |date=8 October 2020|quote=The presence of the Turkish fighter aircraft ... demonstrate direct military involvement by Turkey that goes far beyond already-established support, such as its provision of Syrian fighters and military equipment to Azerbaijani forces.|access-date=11 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Turkey and Azerbaijan deny direct involvement of Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chausovsky |first1=Eugene|title=Turkey Challenging Russia's Monopoly in the South Caucasus|url=https://cgpolicy.org/articles/turkey-challenging-russias-monopoly-in-the-south-caucasus/|agency=Center for Global Policy |date=7 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/g5dqj|archive-date=7 October 2020|quote=... it has been reported (though denied by Turkish and Azerbaijani officials) that Turkish soldiers and aircraft have been directly involved in the fighting.}}</ref><ref name="Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36777/everything-we-know-about-the-fighting-that-has-erupted-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan|title=Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan|publisher=The Drive |access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="azer">{{cite news|title=Turkey supplies T-300 Kasirga rocket system to Azerbaijan|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/102564.html|publisher=AzerNews|date=21 September 2016}}</ref>}} | |||
}} | |||
---- | |||
{{plainlist| | |||
'''Arms suppliers:''' | |||
* {{flag|Israel}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Melman|first1=Yossi|authorlink1=Yossi Melman|title=As Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Expands, Israel-Azerbaijan Arms Trade Thrives|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-israel-azerbaijan-arms-trade-armenia-iran-1.9212986|publisher=Haaretz|date=7 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20201010164114/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-israel-azerbaijan-arms-trade-armenia-iran-1.9212986|archive-date=10 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Israel sending weapons to Azerbaijan as fight with Armenia rages on sources|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/10/01/Israel-sending-weapons-to-Azerbaijan-as-fight-with-Armenia-rages-on-Sources|agency=Al Arabiya |date=30 September 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/L8TSF|archive-date=3 October 2020|quote=... a US intelligence source told Al Arabiya English that Israel was sending planes full of weapons to Azerbaijan.}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
| combatant2 = '''{{flag|Armenia}}'''<br />'''{{flag|Artsakh}}''' | |||
* ] volunteers<ref>{{cite news|last2=Francis|first2=Ellen|last1=Semerdjian|first1=Maria|title=Despite Lebanon's woes, Armenians spring to action for Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN27H157|access-date=1 November 2020|agency=Reuters|date=1 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zargaryan|first1=Robert|title=Ուղիղ չվերթով Երևան՝ առաջնագիծ գնալու պարտաստակամությամբ|trans-title=By direct flight to Yerevan, ready to go to the front line|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30872246.html|website=azatutyun.am|agency=RFE/RL|date=3 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://archive.vn/1CnZr|archive-date=6 October 2020|language=hy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cragg|first1=Gulliver|title=Armenian volunteer returns from France to fight for Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201007-armenian-volunteer-returns-from-france-to-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh|agency=France24|date=7 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/AGD2D|archive-date=7 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Harounyan|first1=Stéphanie|title=De Marseille à Erevan, un militant marqué au front|url=https://www.liberation.fr/france/2020/10/11/de-marseille-a-erevan-un-militant-marque-au-front_1802057|newspaper=Libération|date=11 October 2020|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
---- | |||
{{plainlist| | |||
* '''Arms suppliers:''' | |||
* {{flag|Russia}}{{efn|Alleged by Azerbaijan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/az/dagliq_qarabag/Prezident-Ermnistanin-thluksizliyi-pulsuz-silahlanmasi-Rusiya-trfindn-tmin-edilir-609813|title=Prezident: "Ermənistanın təhlükəsizliyi, pulsuz silahlanması Rusiya tərəfindən təmin edilir"|website=apa.az|date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|language=az|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141759/https://apa.az/az/dagliq_qarabag/Prezident-Ermnistanin-thluksizliyi-pulsuz-silahlanmasi-Rusiya-trfindn-tmin-edilir-609813|url-status=live}}</ref> and reports that Russia supplied arms to Armenia via Iran.<ref name="bneIranArmeniaarmsshipment"/><ref name="AzerbaijanclaimsIRARMarmstrade1"/><ref name="AzerbaijanclaimsIRARMarmstrade2"/> It has been denied by Iran.<ref name="Irandeniesarmstrade1"/><ref name="Irandeniesarmstrade2"/>}} | |||
}} | |||
| commander1 = {{plainlist| | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/major-general-mayis-barkhudarov-we-will-fight-to-destroy-the-enemy-completely-32376.html|title=Major General Mayis Barkhudarov: "We will fight to destroy the enemy completely|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008052224/https://mod.gov.az/en/news/major-general-mayis-barkhudarov-we-will-fight-to-destroy-the-enemy-completely-32376.html|archive-date=8 October 2020|date=September 28, 2020|publisher=Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.president.az/articles/41714|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|website=president.az|publisher=Official website of the President of Azerbaijan|date=4 October 2020|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009090742/https://en.president.az/articles/41714|url-status=live}}</ref> | * {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.president.az/articles/41714|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|website=president.az|publisher=Official website of the President of Azerbaijan|date=4 October 2020|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009090742/https://en.president.az/articles/41714|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https:// |
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/major-general-mayis-barkhudarov-we-will-fight-to-destroy-the-enemy-completely-32376.html|title=Major General Mayis Barkhudarov: "We will fight to destroy the enemy completely|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008052224/https://mod.gov.az/en/news/major-general-mayis-barkhudarov-we-will-fight-to-destroy-the-enemy-completely-32376.html|archive-date=8 October 2020|date=28 September 2020|publisher=Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence}}</ref> | ||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/domestic-news/President-Ilham-Aliyev-congratulates-1st-Army-Corps-Commander-Hikmet-Hasanov-on-liberation-of-Madagiz-from-occupation-331987|title=President Ilham Aliyev congratulates 1st Army Corps Commander Hikmet Hasanov on liberation of Madagiz from occupation|website=apa.az|date=3 October 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|quote=President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated 1st Army Corps Commander Hikmet Hasanov on liberation of Madagiz, APA reports.}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref name="azesbs">{{cite web|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/1617731|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|agency=Azerbaijan State News Agency|date=19 October 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020|quote=Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Chief of the State Border Service (SBS), Colonel General Elchin Guliyev on raising the Azerbaijani flag over the Khudafarin bridge, liberating several residential settlements with the participation of the SBS, and instructed to convey his congratulations to all personnel. Colonel General Elchin Guliyev reported that the State Border Service personnel will continue to decently fulfill all the tasks set by the Commander-in-Chief.}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ]<ref name="azesbs">{{cite web|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/1617731|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|agency=Azerbaijan State News Agency|date=19 October 2020|access-date=20 October 2020|quote=Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Chief of the State Border Service (SBS), Colonel General Elchin Guliyev on raising the Azerbaijani flag over the Khudafarin bridge, liberating several residential settlements with the participation of the SBS, and instructed to convey his congratulations to all personnel. Colonel General Elchin Guliyev reported that the State Border Service personnel will continue to decently fulfill all the tasks set by the Commander-in-Chief.}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Azerbaijan}} ] | |||
}} | }} | ||
| commander2 = {{plainlist| | | commander2 = {{plainlist| | ||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ]{{WIA}}<ref name=jalal>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/27/jalal-harutyunyan-wounded-mikael-arzumanyan-appointed-artsakh-defense-minister|title=Jalal Harutyunyan wounded, Mikael Arzumanyan appointed Artsakh Defense Minister|date=27 October 2020}}</ref> | * {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ]{{WIA}}<ref name=jalal>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/27/jalal-harutyunyan-wounded-mikael-arzumanyan-appointed-artsakh-defense-minister|title=Jalal Harutyunyan wounded, Mikael Arzumanyan appointed Artsakh Defense Minister|date=27 October 2020}}</ref> | ||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} Mikael Arzumanyan<ref name=jalal |
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ]<ref name=jalal/> | ||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} Artur Sargsyan{{KIA}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/611128.html|title=Artsakh Defense Army deputy commander killed|date=2 November 2020}}</ref> | * {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} Artur Sargsyan{{KIA}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/611128.html|title=Artsakh Defense Army deputy commander killed|date=2 November 2020}}</ref> | ||
* {{flagdeco|Artsakh}} Hovhannes Avagyan {{KIA}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://lurer.com/?p=395096&l=am |title=Արցախում զոհվել է ՊԲ փոխհրամանատար, գնդապետ Հովհաննես Սարգսյանը |trans-title=Deputy Commander of the Defence Army, Colonel Hovhannes Sargsyan was killed in Artsakh |date=18 November 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210204100239/https://lurer.com/?p=395096&l=am |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=4 February 2021 |work=Lurer.com |language=hy |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | |||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] {{KIA}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2021/01/01/%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D4%B1%D5%A6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6-%D5%B0%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%BD-%D5%8E-%D4%B1%D5%BD%D5%A1%D5%BF%D6%80%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%B6-%D5%95%D5%B4%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%A2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B1%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D6%84%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B6-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%AB%D5%AF-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%A5%D6%81-%D5%A2%D5%A1%D5%B5%D6%81-%D5%A8%D5%B6%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BE-%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%A4%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%A8-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B7%D5%BF%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%AC%D5%AB%D5%BD/389315 |title=Հայաստանի Ազգային հերոս Վահագն Ասատրյանն Օմարի բարձունքներն անառիկ պահեց, բայց ընկավ Հադրութը պաշտպանելիս |trans-title=Armenian national hero Vahagn Asatryan kept Omar heights invincible, but fell while defending Hadrut |language=hy |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 January 2021 |website=1lurer.am |publisher= |access-date=25 March 2021 |quote=}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | * {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ] | ||
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/22/tiran-khachatryan-national-hero-of-the-republic-of-armenia/|title=Tiran Khachatryan – National Hero of the Republic of Armenia|date= |
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/22/tiran-khachatryan-national-hero-of-the-republic-of-armenia/|title=Tiran Khachatryan – National Hero of the Republic of Armenia|date=22 October 2020|website=armradio.am|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
<!-- UNITS -->| units1 = {{Collapsible list|title=Azerbaijan | |||
| units1 = {{flagicon image|Coat of arms of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.png|size=15px}} ] | |||
| ] ''']''' | |||
* 3rd Corps<ref name="mk">{{cite web|url=https://www.mk.ru/politics/2020/11/07/ekspert-ocenil-poteri-armenii-i-azerbaydzhana-v-nagornom-karabakhe.html|title=Эксперт оценил потери Армении и Азербайджана в Нагорном Карабахе|language=ru|publisher=Moskovsky Komsomolets|date=7 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ] ] | |||
* 4th Corps | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3310257.html|title=President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Commander of 1st Army Corps Hikmat Hasanov on liberation of Madagiz|date=3 October 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|work=]}}</ref> | |||
* Nakhchivan Army<ref name="mk"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref name=warontherocks>{{cite web|date=14 October 2020|title=The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Two Weeks In|url=http://warontherocks.com/2020/10/the-second-nagorno-karabakh-war-two-weeks-in/|access-date=16 October 2020|publisher=War on the Rocks}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagicon image|Azerbaijani Special Forces badge.svg|size=15px}} ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizimyol.info/az/news/301032.html?fbclid=IwAR10M4ffyYzs0y-HxzHaE7SeZkQz9QK5fZFXP0RTtSKgBfhGFQO_Ev6feuc|title=Qarabağın qəlbi necə azad olundu: 300 spartalının əfsanəsi gerçək oldu Şuşada|work=Bizim Yol|language=az|date=9 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref><br /> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="mk">{{cite web|url=https://www.mk.ru/politics/2020/11/07/ekspert-ocenil-poteri-armenii-i-azerbaydzhana-v-nagornom-karabakhe.html|title=Эксперт оценил потери Армении и Азербайджана в Нагорном Карабахе|language=ru|publisher=Moskovsky Komsomolets|date=7 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
{{flagicon image|Azerbaijan Border Guards Standard (Reverse).svg|size=15px}} ]<ref name="azesbs" /> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="mk"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="mk"/> | |||
Syrian mercenaries<ref name="SOHR1"/><ref name="Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizimyol.info/az/news/301032.html|title=Qarabağın qəlbi necə azad olundu: 300 spartalının əfsanəsi gerçək oldu Şuşada|work=Bizim Yol|language=az|date=9 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
* {{flagicon image|Logo of the Hamza Division.jpg}} ] | |||
| ] ] | |||
* {{flagicon image|Sultan Murat Tümeni Flag.svg}} ] | |||
* ]<ref>{{Cite web|first=Ilham|last=Aliyev|author-link=Ilham Aliyev|url=https://en.president.az/articles/44474|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|work=]|publisher=]|date=26 October 2020|access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> | |||
| units2 = {{flagicon image|Army Artsakh.jpg}} ]<br />{{flagicon image|Armmil zinanshan.jpg}} ]<br />{{flagicon image|National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia.png|size=15px}} ]<ref></ref> | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.milli.az/society/903183.html|title=Bu gün general olan 4 hərbçi kimdir?|trans-title=Who are the 4 servicemen that became generals today?|date=7 December 2020|access-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207135921/https://news.milli.az/society/903183.html|archive-date=7 December 2020|work=]|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | |||
| strength1 = {{plainlist| | |||
| ] ]<ref name="azesbs"/> | |||
* Unknown regular military | |||
|] ] | |||
* 2,580 Syrian fighters<ref name="syriandead"/>}} | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{Cite web|first=Murad|last=Ahmad|url=https://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/susaya-ermenilerin-icinden-kecib-getdik-xeberleri-olmadi-xtd-zabitivideo-307243|title="Şuşaya ermənilərin içindən keçib getdik, xəbərləri olmadı" – XTD üzvü +Video|trans-title="We went to Shusha through Armenians, they didn't know" – SOF member + Video|date=3 December 2020|access-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202173259/https://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/susaya-ermenilerin-icinden-kecib-getdik-xeberleri-olmadi-xtd-zabitivideo-307243|archive-date=2 December 2020|work=Qafqazinfo|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | |||
| ] ] | |||
{{Collapsible list|title=Equipment:|Various types of tanks and armored vehicles including ], ], ], ], ] and ]<ref name="Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan"/><ref name="What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/10/23/what-open-source-evidence-tells-us-about-the-nagorno-karabakh-war/?sh=81195e26f4be|title=What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War|publisher=Forbes|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ] {{ill|YARASA Special Forces|az|Yarasa (hərbi birləşmə)|tr|Yarasa Özel Kuvvetleri}}<ref>{{Cite web|first=Mirmahmud|last=Kazimoglu|url=https://report.az/herbi-xeberler/xarici-kesfiyyat-xidmetinin-yarasa-xususi-bolmesi-ilk-defe-numayis-etdirildi/|title=Xarici Kəşfiyyat Xidmətinin YARASA xüsusi bölməsi ilk dəfə nümayiş etdirildi|date=10 December 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|work=Report Information Agency|language=az}}</ref>}} | |||
{{Collapsible list|title=Syrian mercenaries<ref name="Everything We Know">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36777/everything-we-know-about-the-fighting-that-has-erupted-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan|title=Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan|date=28 September 2020|publisher=The Drive|access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
|Unknown number of ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/a-military-breakdown-of-the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-40175 |first=Adam|last=Bensaid|publisher=TRTWorld|title=A military breakdown of the Azerbaijan–Armenia conflict|date=29 September 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007172235/https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/a-military-breakdown-of-the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-40175|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="SOHR1">{{cite news|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/186036/|title=Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey's ambition|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|date=28 September 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002050822/https://www.syriahr.com/en/186036/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| {{flagicon image|Sultan Murat Tümeni Flag.svg}} ]<ref name="SOHR1" />}} | |||
|Unknown number of ], ] and ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israeli-drones-in-azerbaijan-raise-questions-on-use-in-the-battlefied-644161|title=Israeli drones in Azerbaijan raise questions on use in the battlefield|first=Seth J.|last=Frantzman|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=1 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009015409/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israeli-drones-in-azerbaijan-raise-questions-on-use-in-the-battlefied-644161|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/galeri/son-dakika-goruntu-dunyayi-calkaladi-siha-vurdu-bir-baska-drone-6319256|title=Son dakika... Görüntü dünyayı çalkaladı! SİHA vurdu, bir başka drone...|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141818/https://www.milliyet.com.tr/galeri/son-dakika-haberleri-ermeni-komutanlarla-masada-oturana-bak-6319256|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cnnturk/> | |||
| units2 = {{Collapsible list|title=Artsakh | |||
|] ''']'''}} | |||
{{Collapsible list|title=Armenia | |||
| ] ''']''' | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1034989/|title=46 servicemen of Armenia NSS border troops killed during NK war|website=armenpress.am}}</ref> | |||
| ] ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/621028.html|title=Law enforcement: 65 Armenia Police officers died in Artsakh war|website=news.am|date=29 September 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref>{{Cite web |first=Samvel |last=Hovhannisyan |url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270487/ |title=Дуэль Ванецяна и Кярамяна – стреляют друг в друга, попадают в Армению |trans-title=Duel of Vanetsyan and Kyaramyan – shoot each other, end up in Armenia |date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128172525/https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270487/ |archive-date=28 January 2021 |work=ArmenianReport |access-date=21 January 2021 |language=ru |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/armenias-all-women-military-unit/|title=The Artsakh War brought about Armenia's first all-women military unit|date=16 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
<!-- STRENGTH -->| strength1 = * 14,272+ servicemen<ref>{{cite news |title=Üç minə yaxın qazi təklif olunan işdən imtina edib |url=https://report.az/sosial-mudafie/uc-mine-yaxin-qazi-teklif-olunan-isden-imtina-edib/ |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=Report İnformasiya Agentliyi |language=az}}</ref><ref name="azMoDlist"/> | |||
* 2,580+ Syrian fighters<ref name="syriandead">{{cite web|date=3 December 2020|title=SOHR exclusive {{!}} Death toll of mercenaries in Azerbaijan is higher than that in Libya, while Syrian fighters given varying payments|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/194516/|access-date=3 December 2020|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights}}</ref> | |||
---- | |||
{{Collapsible list|title=Equipment:|Various types of tanks and armoured vehicles including ], ], ], ], ] and ]<ref name="Everything We Know"/><ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/10/23/what-open-source-evidence-tells-us-about-the-nagorno-karabakh-war/|title=What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War|work=Forbes|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
|Unknown number of ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/a-military-breakdown-of-the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-40175|first=Adam|last=Bensaid|publisher=TRTWorld|title=A military breakdown of the Azerbaijan–Armenia conflict|date=29 September 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007172235/https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/a-military-breakdown-of-the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-40175|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs"/> | |||
|Unknown number of ], ] and ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israeli-drones-in-azerbaijan-raise-questions-on-use-in-the-battlefied-644161|title=Israeli drones in Azerbaijan raise questions on use in the battlefield|first=Seth J.|last=Frantzman|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009015409/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israeli-drones-in-azerbaijan-raise-questions-on-use-in-the-battlefied-644161|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/galeri/son-dakika-goruntu-dunyayi-calkaladi-siha-vurdu-bir-baska-drone-6319256|title=Son dakika... Görüntü dünyayı çalkaladı! SİHA vurdu, bir başka drone...|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141818/https://www.milliyet.com.tr/galeri/son-dakika-haberleri-ermeni-komutanlarla-masada-oturana-bak-6319256|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cnnturk>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnturk.com/dunya/ilk-kez-libyada-kullanilmisti-bu-kez-azerbaycanda-goruntulendi|title=İlk kez Libya'da kullanılmıştı! Bu kez Azerbaycan'da görüntülendi|date=28 September 2020|language=tr|publisher=CNN Türk}}</ref> | |||
|Unknown number of converted ] used as unmanned drone for different roles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/123071|title=Azerbaijani Military Retools Old Crop Duster Planes as Attack Drones|date=14 October 2020|publisher=Hetq Online}}</ref> | |Unknown number of converted ] used as unmanned drone for different roles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/123071|title=Azerbaijani Military Retools Old Crop Duster Planes as Attack Drones|date=14 October 2020|publisher=Hetq Online}}</ref> | ||
| Various ] including ] guided MRLs and ]es<ref>{{cite web|title=Missiles, rockets and drones define Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict | |||
|date=4 October 2020 |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/missiles-rockets-and-drones-define-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-644365|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs"/> | |||
| Various ] including ] guided MLRs and ]es<ref>{{cite web|title=Missiles, rockets and drones define Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict | |||
| Various ] including ]s<ref name="Azerbaijan shoots down jet">{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/asia/azerbaijan-shoots-down-armenian-su-25-fighter-jet-40674|title=Azerbaijan shoots down Armenian Su-25 fighter jet|publisher=TRT World|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/missiles-rockets-and-drones-define-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-644365|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War"/> | |||
| Various artillery<ref name="Cities under fire">{{cite web|url=https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1590159.html|title=Cities under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies|publisher=RTL Today|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various ] including ]s<ref name="Azerbaijan shoots down Armenian Su-25 fighter jet">{{cite web |url=https://www.trtworld.com/asia/azerbaijan-shoots-down-armenian-su-25-fighter-jet-40674|title=Azerbaijan shoots down Armenian Su-25 fighter jet|publisher=TRT World|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various artillery<ref name="Cities under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies">{{cite web|url=https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1590159.html|title=Cities under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies|publisher=RTL Today|access-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
}} | }} | ||
| strength2 = |
| strength2 = * Unknown regular military | ||
---- | |||
* Unknown regular military}} | |||
{{Collapsible list|title=Equipment:| ] tanks and various types of |
{{Collapsible list|title=Equipment:| ] tanks and various types of armoured vehicles including ], ] and ]<ref name="Everything We Know"/><ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs"/> | ||
| ] and ] ]s<ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan announce new attempt at cease-fire|date=17 October 2020 |url=https://apnews.com/article/international-news-ilham-aliyev-azerbaijan-armenia-51d168ecbfe86cfd9a9ba08767f6e1d7|publisher=AP News|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various ] including ]es, ]s and ]s <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:fe950852-c7ae-417d-a14b-229013c4b98b|title=Село Тапкаракоюнлу, примерно в 60 километрах от города Гянджа. Военный показывает журналистам ракету "Смерч" перед разминированием.|date=24 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service}}</ref><ref name="WhatOpenSourceTellsUs"/> | |||
| ] and ] ]s<ref name="What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan announce new attempt at cease-fire|url=https://apnews.com/article/international-news-ilham-aliyev-azerbaijan-armenia-51d168ecbfe86cfd9a9ba08767f6e1d7|publisher=AP News|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various ] including ]s, ]s and ]s<ref name="Everything We Know"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijani used TB2 drone to destroy second S-300 SAM of Armenia|date=11 October 2020|url=https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2020/10/11/azerbaijani-used-tb2-drone-to-destroy-second-s-300-sam-of-armenia/|publisher=Global Defense Corp|access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various types of ]s<ref name="Everything We Know"/> | |||
| Various ] including ]es, ]s and ]s <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f943a7ac4548e02bf3cc26b%26%262020-10-24T14%3A30%3A19.028Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:fe950852-c7ae-417d-a14b-229013c4b98b&pinned_post_asset_id=5f943a7ac4548e02bf3cc26b&pinned_post_type=share|title=Село Тапкаракоюнлу, примерно в 60 километрах от города Гянджа. Военный показывает журналистам ракету "Смерч" перед разминированием.|date=24 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service}}</ref><ref name="What Open Source Evidence Tells Us About The Nagorno-Karabakh War"/> | |||
| Various artillery<ref name="Cities under fire"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="Azerbaijan shoots down jet"/> | |||
| Various ] including ]s, ]s and ]s<ref name="Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijani used TB2 drone to destroy second S-300 SAM of Armenia|url=https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2020/10/11/azerbaijani-used-tb2-drone-to-destroy-second-s-300-sam-of-armenia/|publisher=Global Defense Corp|access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
| Various types of ]s<ref name="Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan"/> | |||
| Various artillery<ref name="Cities under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies"/> | |||
| ] ]<ref name="Azerbaijan shoots down Armenian Su-25 fighter jet"/> | |||
}} | }} | ||
| casualties1 = '''Per Azerbaijan:''' | <!-- CASUALTIES -->| casualties1 = '''Per Azerbaijan:''' | ||
* 2,906 servicemen killed{{efn|On 21 October 2021, the ] published a list of dead servicemen. It said 2,908 people were killed during the war,<ref name="azMoDlist">{{Cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/list-of-the-servicemen-fallen-shehids-in-the-patriotic-war-38076.html |title=List of servicemen who died as Shehids in the Patriotic War |website= Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211022160404/https://mod.gov.az/az/news/veten-muharibesinde-sehid-olmus-herbi-qulluqcularin-siyahisi-38067.html |url-status=live}}</ref> although at least two of the soldiers named were killed after the conflict ended,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/173267.html|title=Four Azerbaijanis killed in mine blast in Fuzuli region|date=28 November 2020 |website=AzerNews.az}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sozcu.az/azerbaycan-esgeri-susa-yolunda-minaya-duserek-sehid-oldu/|title=Azərbaycan əsgəri Şuşa yolunda minaya düşərək şəhid oldu|first=Yazar|last=Yazar|date=28 November 2020|website=Sozcu.az|access-date=12 June 2023|archive-date=8 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408130119/https://sozcu.az/azerbaycan-esgeri-susa-yolunda-minaya-duserek-sehid-oldu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> leaving a total of 2,906 servicemen confirmed killed in the war.}} | |||
* Undisclosed<ref name="armenianKIA">{{cite news|title=Artsakh reports more KIAs|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1034769.html|access-date=10 November 2020|agency=Armenpress|date=13 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
* 6 servicemen missing<ref name="azMoDlist"/> | |||
* 11,110 servicemen wounded<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://report.az/herbi-xeberler/veten-muharibesinde-yaralanan-herbcilerin-sayi-aciqlanib/ |title=Vətən müharibəsində yaralanan hərbçilərin sayı açıqlanıb |work=Report.az |date=14 April 2022 |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> | |||
* 14 servicemen captured<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31095715.html |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan Exchange More Prisoners |work=www.azatutyun.am |date= 10 February 2021|access-date= |last1=Khulian |first1=Artak }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.az/news/span-classred-highlightazerbaijani-hostages-released-from-armenian-captivity-arrive-in-baku-span |title=Azerbaijani captives, including Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov, who were held hostage by Armenians, brought home |work=www.news.az |date= 14 December 2020|access-date=}}</ref> | |||
'''Per ]:''' | '''Per ]:''' | ||
* 541 Syrian mercenaries killed<ref name="syriandead"/> | |||
* 293 Syrian mercenaries killed<ref name="syriandead">{{cite web|date=14 November 2020|title= Turkish-backed mercenaries {{!}} Nearly 800 Syrian fighters killed in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/192201/|access-date=14 November 2020|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights}}</ref> | |||
* 3+ Syrian mercenaries captured<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/191389/|title=Nagorno-Karabakh battles | Fatalities among Turkish-backed Syrian mercenaries jump to 250, and more bodies arrive in Syria |work=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=6 November 2020 }}</ref> | |||
---- | ---- | ||
See ] for details | See ] for details | ||
| casualties2 = '''Per Armenia:''' | | casualties2 = '''Per Armenia/Artsakh:''' | ||
* 3,825 servicemen killed<ref name="ArmenianKIA1">{{cite web |title=Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's speech at the National Assembly during the discussion of the performance report of the Government Action Plan for 2021 |url=https://www.primeminister.am/en/statements-and-messages/item/2022/04/13/Nikol-Pashinyan-Speech/ |website=primeminister.am |publisher=The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414071601/https://www.primeminister.am/en/statements-and-messages/item/2022/04/13/Nikol-Pashinyan-Speech/ |archive-date=14 April 2022 |date=13 April 2022 |quote=The number of victims of the 44-day war is 3825 by today’s data.}}</ref> | |||
* 2,425 servicemen killed<ref name="ArmenianKIA">{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/nikol-pashinian-azerbaijan-armenia-yerevan-e05ea4d7d43e0111cd142861dec105ec|title=Armenia raises Nagorno-Karabakh conflict troop toll to 2,425|date=18 November 2020|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
* |
* 187 servicemen missing<ref name="ARMMIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1078446/ |title=187 Armenian troops still MIA, 21 civilians missing in 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 March 2022 |website=armenpress.m |publisher=Armenpress |access-date=21 March 2022 |quote=}}</ref> | ||
* ~11,000 servicemen wounded and sick<ref>{{cite news |title=Around 11,000 Armenian soldiers wounded and got sick in recent Artsakh war, military official says |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/03/29/soldiers-Artsakh-war/2477195 |access-date=3 April 2021 |publisher=Panorama |date=29 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
* Several hundred missing<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1034974.html|title=There are several hundred missing soldiers on Armenian side – PM Pashinyan|date=16 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
* 60+ servicemen captured<ref name="ARMPOW1">{{Cite web|url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/266832/|title=МИД Армении и Красный Крест объединят усилия для решения вопроса пленных|date=2 December 2020|access-date=2 December 2020|work=Armenian Report|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
---- | ---- | ||
See ] for details | See ] and ] for details | ||
| casualties3 = {{plainlist| | | casualties3 = {{plainlist| | ||
* 100 Azerbaijani<ref name="AzerCivs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/aggression/173628.html|title=Civilian death toll in Armenian attacks reaches 100|date=8 December 2020|access-date=8 December 2020|work=AzerNews}}</ref> and 85 Armenian civilians killed{{efn|name="ArmenianKIA2"|By 27 September 2021, 84 civilians were confirmed killed in the conflict, 80 of which died in the Republic of Artsakh and 4 were killed in Armenia. Another 22 were still missing. Subsequently, the number of civilians missing was updated to 21 by 21 March 2022, bringing the total number of confirmed civilian fatalities to 85.}} | |||
* 4,000+ killed overall (per Russia)<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia says discussing U.N. presence in Nagorno-Karabakh as its troops deploy|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-russia-un/russia-says-discussing-u-n-presence-in-nagorno-karabakh-as-its-troops-deploy-idUKKBN27T2C0|access-date=2020-11-13}}</ref> | |||
* 21 Armenian civilians missing<ref name="ARMMIA"/> | |||
* 93 Azerbaijani<ref name="AzerCivs">{{cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/aggression/172354.html|title=Civilian death toll in Armenian attacks reaches 93|author=Ayya Lmahamad|date=9 November 2020 |website=azernews.az}}</ref> and 54 Armenian civilians killed<ref name="armeniacividead">{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1033921/|title=50 Armenian civilians killed by Azerbaijani armed forces so far|date=4 November 2020|access-date=4 November 2020|url-status=live}}<br /></ref> | |||
* 416 Azerbaijani<ref name="AzerCivs"/> and 165 Armenian civilians injured<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1041825.html|title=Artsakh Ombudsman's Office updates interim report on killing of civilians by Azerbaijani forces|website=armenpress.am}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Caucasus: 4 Journalists Injured in Nagorno-Karabakh Fighting|url=https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/caucasus-4-journalists-injured-nagorno-karabakh-fighting|publisher=Voice of America|date=1 October 2020|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
* 407 Azerbaijani and 148 Armenian civilians injured<ref name="AzerCivs"/><ref name="armeniacividead"/> | |||
* 3 Azerbaijani<ref>{{cite web|url=https://axar.az/news/toplum/523865.html|title=3 vətəndaşımız Ermənistanda əsir-girovluqda saxlanılır|date=17 December 2020|website=axar.az|access-date=26 December 2020}}</ref> and 40 Armenian civilians captured<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/armenia-awaits-complete-numbers-of-killed-soldiers-and-pows/|title=Armenia awaits complete numbers of killed soldiers and POWs|date=10 December 2020|access-date=16 December 2020|work=OC-Media}}</ref> | |||
* 1 Russian ] shot down, 2 crew members killed, 1 injured<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/nagorno-karabakh-russian-helicopter-shot-down-over-armenia/a-55547913|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Russian helicopter shot down over Armenia|first=Deutsche|last=Welle (dw.com)|publisher=DW}}</ref> | |||
* 1 Russian ] ], 2 crew members killed, 1 injured<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/nagorno-karabakh-russian-helicopter-shot-down-over-armenia/a-55547913|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Russian helicopter shot down over Armenia|first=Deutsche|last=Welle (dw.com)|publisher=DW}}</ref> | |||
* 2 Armenian,<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucasus: 4 Journalists Injured in Nagorno-Karabakh Fighting|url=https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/caucasus-4-journalists-injured-nagorno-karabakh-fighting|publisher=Voice of America|date=1 October 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> 1 Azerbaijani,<ref name="anarshushali" /> 2 French<ref>{{cite web|title=Two French journalists seriously wounded after shelling in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-journalists-condit-idUSKBN26M5U7|agency=Reuters|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001144332/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-journalists-condit-idUSKBN26M5U7|url-status=live}}</ref> and 3 Russian journalists injured<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rg.ru/2020/10/08/mid-rf-rossijskie-zhurnalisty-v-karabahe-poluchili-srednie-i-tiazhelye-raneniia.html|title=МИД РФ: Российские журналисты в Карабахе получили средние и тяжелые ранения |date=2020-10-08|publisher=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|access-date=2020-10-08|language=ru|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141852/https://rg.ru/2020/10/08/mid-rf-rossijskie-zhurnalisty-v-karabahe-poluchili-srednie-i-tiazhelye-raneniia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* 1 Russian civilian killed<ref name="russianboy">{{cite news|title=Russian teenager dies in missile attack on Ganja|url=https://news.ru/en/cis-countries/russian-citizen-dies-in-missile-attack-on-ganja/|access-date=17 November 2020|work=]|date=24 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
* 1 Iranian civilian injured from stray fire<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-comes-under-attack-as-fighting-between-armenia-azerbaijan-spreads-across-border/|title=Iran comes under attack as fighting between Armenia–Azerbaijan spreads across border|work=Almasdar News|date=3 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009042858/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-comes-under-attack-as-fighting-between-armenia-azerbaijan-spreads-across-border/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* 2 French<ref>{{cite web|title=Two French journalists seriously wounded after shelling in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-journalists-condit-idUSKBN26M5U7|work=Reuters|date=1 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001144332/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-journalists-condit-idUSKBN26M5U7|url-status=live}}</ref> and 3 Russian journalists injured<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rg.ru/2020/10/08/mid-rf-rossijskie-zhurnalisty-v-karabahe-poluchili-srednie-i-tiazhelye-raneniia.html|title=МИД РФ: Российские журналисты в Карабахе получили средние и тяжелые ранения|date=8 October 2020|publisher=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|access-date=8 October 2020|language=ru|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141852/https://rg.ru/2020/10/08/mid-rf-rossijskie-zhurnalisty-v-karabahe-poluchili-srednie-i-tiazhelye-raneniia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* 40,000 Azerbaijanis<ref name="azerbaijandisplaced">{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26464&LangID=E|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Bachelet warns of possible war crimes as attacks continue in populated areas|publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|date=2 November 2020|access-date=2 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and 90,000 Armenians displaced<ref name="riadisplaced">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201024/karabakh-1581290908.html|title=Глава МИД Армении назвал число беженцев из-за ситуации в Карабахе|agency=RIA Novosti |date=23 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020|language=ru|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="armenpress90000">{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032601.html|title=Nearly 90,000 people displaced, lost homes and property in Nagorno Karabakh|publisher=ArmenPress|date=24 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<!-- <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/un-says-nagorno-karabakh-attacks-could-be-war-crimes-idUSKBN27I1RK|title=U.N. says Nagorno-Karabakh attacks could be war crimes|date=2020-11-02|website=reuters.com|agency=Reuters}}</ref> --> | |||
* 1 Iranian civilian injured by stray fire<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-comes-under-attack-as-fighting-between-armenia-azerbaijan-spreads-across-border/|title=Iran comes under attack as fighting between Armenia–Azerbaijan spreads across border|work=Almasdar News|date=3 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009042858/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-comes-under-attack-as-fighting-between-armenia-azerbaijan-spreads-across-border/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| notes = | |||
* 100,000 Armenians displaced<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/uneasy-peace-takes-hold-in-contested-region-of-azerbaijan|title=Uneasy peace takes hold in contested region of Azerbaijan|date=30 November 2020|website=PBS NewsHour}}</ref><ref name="riadisplaced">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201024/karabakh-1581290908.html|title=Глава МИД Армении назвал число беженцев из-за ситуации в Карабахе|agency=RIA Novosti|date=23 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032601.html|title=Nearly 90,000 people displaced, lost homes and property in Nagorno Karabakh|publisher=ArmenPress|date=24 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>}} and 40,000 Azerbaijanis (according to Azerbaijan) temporarily displaced <ref name="azerbaijandisplaced">{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26464&LangID=E|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Bachelet warns of possible war crimes as attacks continue in populated areas|publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|date=2 November 2020|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref><!-- <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/un-says-nagorno-karabakh-attacks-could-be-war-crimes-idUSKBN27I1RK|title=U.N. says Nagorno-Karabakh attacks could be war crimes|date=2 November 2020|website=reuters.com|agency=Reuters}}</ref> --> | |||
| notes = | |||
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Nagorno-Karabakh conflict}}{{Campaignbox 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}} | | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Nagorno-Karabakh conflict}}{{Campaignbox 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Second Nagorno-Karabakh War''' was an armed conflict in 2020 that took place in the disputed region of ] and the ]. It was a major escalation of an unresolved ], involving ], ] and the ] Armenian breakaway state of ].{{efn|Nagorno-Karabakh was an ] during the Soviet era, and is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. At the end of the Soviet period, it was recorded as being populated by 76.9% Armenians, 21.5% Azerbaijanis, and 1.5% other groups, totalling 188,685 persons, in the 1989 census. The surrounding districts, occupied by the Republic of Artsakh since the 1994 ceasefire, were recorded in the 1979 census to have a population of 97.7% ], 1.3% ], 0.7% ], 0.1% ], and 0.1% ], for a total of 186,874 persons. This does not include the populations of ] and ], which were only partially under Armenian control before the 2020 war.}} The war lasted for 44 days and resulted in Azerbaijani victory, with the defeat igniting ]. Post-war skirmishes continued in the region, including substantial clashes in 2022. | |||
] | |||
Fighting began on the morning of 27 September, with an Azerbaijani offensive<ref name="russiamatters01"/><ref name="eurasianet_290920">{{cite web|last=Kucera|first=Joshua|date=29 September 2020|title=As fighting rages, what is Azerbaijan's goal?|url=https://eurasianet.org/as-fighting-rages-what-is-azerbaijans-goal|access-date=29 September 2020|website=eurasianet.org|quote=The Azerbaijani offensive against Armenian forces is its most ambitious since the war between the two sides formally ended in 1994.|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004115811/https://eurasianet.org/as-fighting-rages-what-is-azerbaijans-goal|url-status=live}}</ref> along the ] established in the aftermath of the ] (1988–1994). Clashes were particularly intense in the less mountainous districts of southern Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan erupt into fighting over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928055530/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|url-status=live}}</ref> Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan.<ref name="russiamatters01">{{cite web|last=Kofman|first=Michael|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan War: Military Dimensions of the Conflict|url=https://www.russiamatters.org/analysis/armenia-azerbaijan-war-military-dimensions-conflict|website=russiamatters.org|publisher=Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005003822/https://www.russiamatters.org/analysis/armenia-azerbaijan-war-military-dimensions-conflict|archive-date=5 October 2020|date=2 October 2020|quote=On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, resulting in fighting that spans much of the line of contact in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh...|access-date=3 October 2020|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Dorian|title=Turkey Vows Support for Azerbaijan in Escalating Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/turkey-vows-support-azerbaijan-escalating-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|publisher=Voice of America|date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001034250/https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/turkey-vows-support-azerbaijan-escalating-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|archive-date=1 October 2020|quote={{-'}}Turkey is already supporting Azerbaijan militarily, technical assistance and arms sales, providing critical military support, especially in terms of armed drones and technical expertise', said Turkish analyst Ilhan Uzgel.|access-date=28 September 2020|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | |||
The '''2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war'''{{efn|{{*}}In Armenia, local media sometimes refer to it as '''Azerbaijani aggression''' ({{lang-hy|ադրբեջանական ագրեսիա|translit=adrbejanakan agreˈsia}}, {{IPA-hy|ɑdɾbɛdʒɑnɑˈkɑn ɑgˈɾɛsjɑ}})<ref>{{cite news|title="Azerbaijani aggression has been pre-planned" – Armenian FM sends letter to UN Secretary-General|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029461.html|agency=Armenpress|date=29 September 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20201011091411/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029461.html|archive-date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghazanchyan|first1=Siranush|title=26 more Armenian troops killed repelling Azerbaijani aggression|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/09/26-more-armenian-troops-killed-repelling-azerbaijani-aggression/ |agency=Public Radio of Armenia|date=9 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20201011091401/https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/09/26-more-armenian-troops-killed-repelling-azerbaijani-aggression/|archive-date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> or the '''Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression''' ({{lang-hy|ադրբեջանա-թուրքական ագրեսիա|translit=adrbejana-t'urk'akan agreˈsia}}, {{IPA-hy|ɑdɾbɛdʒɑnɑ-tʰuɾkʰɑkɑn ɑgˈɾɛsjɑ}}).<ref>{{cite news|title=Protest in front of the White House against the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression|url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2020/10/09/Protest-in-front-of-the-White-House-against-the-Azerbaijani-Turkish-aggression/331184|publisher=1lurer.am|agency=Public TV of Armenia|date=9 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20201011091531/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2020/10/09/Protest-in-front-of-the-White-House-against-the-Azerbaijani-Turkish-aggression/331184|archive-date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>{{indent|2}} {{*}}In Azerbaijan, it has been referred to '''Second Karabakh war''' ({{Lang-az|İkinci Qarabağ müharibəsi}}),<ref>{{cite news|title=Prezident İlham Əliyevin rəhbərliyi ilə Müdafiə Nazirliyinin Mərkəzi Komanda Məntəqəsində operativ müşavirə keçirilib – YENİLƏNİB|url=https://apa.az/az/dagliq_qarabag/Prezident-Ilham-liyevin-rhbrliyi-il-Mudafi-Nazirliyinin-Mrkzi-Komanda-Mntqsind-operativ-musavir-kecirilib-colorredYENILNIBcolor-612152|website=apa.az|date=25 October 2020|access-date=25 October 2020|url-status=live|language=az}}</ref> '''Operation for peace enforcement of Armenia''' ({{Lang-az|Ermənistanı sülhə məcburetmə əməliyyatı}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Assistant-to-President-of-Azerbaijan:-%22First-phase-of-operation-for-peaceenforcement-of-Armenia-was-successfully-completed%22-332582|title=Assistant to President of Azerbaijan: "First phase of operation for peaceenforcement of Armenia was successfully completed"|date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010125828/https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Assistant-to-President-of-Azerbaijan:-%22First-phase-of-operation-for-peaceenforcement-of-Armenia-was-successfully-completed%22-332582|url-status=live}}</ref> or '''Counter-offensive operation'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1100863723/Defense-Ministry-Azerbaijan-Armys-Troops-launches-counter-offensive-operation-along-entire-front|date=29 September 2020|title=Defense Ministry: Azerbaijan Army's Troops launches counter-offensive operation along entire front}}</ref> ({{lang-az|Əks-hücum əməliyyatı}}) by the government.}} was an armed conflict between ], supported by ], and the self-proclaimed ] together with ], in the disputed region of ]. It was the latest escalation of an unresolved ], which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but partially governed by Artsakh, a ] with an Armenian ethnic majority.{{efn|At the end of Soviet period, the ] was recorded as being populated by 76.9% Armenians, 21.5% Azerbaijanis, and 1.5% other groups, totalling 188,685 persons, in the 1989 census. The surrounding districts, occupied by the Republic of Artsakh since the 1994 ceasefire, were recorded in the 1979 census to have a population of 97.7% ], 1.3% ], 0.7% ], 0.1% ], and 0.1% ], for a total of 186,874 persons. This does not include the populations of ] and ], which were only partially under Armenian control before the 2020 war.}} | |||
The war was marked by the deployment of ], sensors, long-range heavy artillery<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Gatopoulos|first=Alex|title=The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is ushering in a new age of warfare|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/11/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-ushering-in-new-age-of-warfare|access-date=15 October 2020|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> and ] strikes, as well as by state propaganda and the use of official social media accounts in online ].<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last=Mirovalev|first=Mansur|date=15 October 2020|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan battle an online war over Nagorno-Karabakh|agency=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/15/karabakh-info-war}}</ref> In particular, Azerbaijan's widespread use of drones was seen as crucial in determining the conflict's outcome.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan |title=UK wants new drones in wake of Azerbaijan military success |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/29/uk-defence-secretary-hails-azerbaijans-use-of-drones-in-conflict |access-date=21 September 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=29 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Numerous countries and the ] strongly condemned the fighting and called on both sides to de-escalate tensions and resume meaningful negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 September 2020|title=UN Security Council calls for immediate end to fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200930-un-security-council-calls-for-immediate-end-to-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=30 September 2020|agency=Associated Press|website=france24.com|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009133111/https://www.france24.com/en/20200930-un-security-council-calls-for-immediate-end-to-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref> Three ceasefires brokered by Russia, France, and the United States failed to stop the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hovhannisyan|first1=Nvard|last2=Bagirova|first2=Nailia|date=13 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict unacceptable: EU|agency=The Canberra Times|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6991293/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-unacceptable-eu/|access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
Clashes began on the morning of 27 September 2020 along the ], which had been established in the aftermath of the ] (1988–1994). In response to the clashes, Armenia and Artsakh introduced ] and total ],<ref name="bbc_270920">{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan erupt into fighting over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928055530/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-martial-law/nagorno-karabakh-announces-martial-law-and-total-mobilization-idINKBN26I086?il=0|title=Nagorno-Karabakh announces martial law and total mobilization|agency=Reuters|date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141606/https://in.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-martial-law/nagorno-karabakh-announces-martial-law-and-total-mobilization-idINKBN26I086?il=0|url-status=live}}</ref> while Azerbaijan introduced martial law and a ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-curfew/azerbaijans-parliament-approves-martial-law-curfews-presidents-aide-idINKBN26I0OU|title=Azerbaijan's parliament approves martial law, curfews – president's aide|agency=Reuters|date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928062034/https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-curfew/azerbaijans-parliament-approves-martial-law-curfews-presidents-aide-idINKBN26I0OU|url-status=live}}</ref> later declaring partial mobilization on 28 September 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan's president orders partial military mobilization |url=https://tass.com/world/1205799|access-date=2020-10-26|website=tass.com}}</ref> Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan, although the extent of this support has been disputed.<ref name="russiamatters01"/><ref name="voa28sep">{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Dorian|title=Turkey Vows Support for Azerbaijan in Escalating Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/turkey-vows-support-azerbaijan-escalating-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|publisher=Voice of America|date=28 September 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/OjQNm|archive-date=30 September 2020|quote={{-'}}Turkey is already supporting Azerbaijan militarily, through technical assistance through arms sales, providing critical military support, especially in terms of armed drones and technical expertise', said Turkish analyst Ilhan Uzgel.}}</ref> Turkey's involvement is thought to have been an attempt to extend its sphere of influence, both by increasing the standing of Azerbaijan in the conflict and by marginalizing Russia's influence over the region.<ref name="russiamatters01"/><ref name="nyt_011020"/> | |||
Following ] of ], the second-largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh, a ] was signed, ending all hostilities in the area from 10 November 2020.<ref name="RIANovosti">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583847112.html|title=Путин выступил с заявлением о прекращении огня в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="RIA Novosti">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583845291.html|title=Пашинян заявил о прекращении боевых действий в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Russia deploys peacekeeping troops to region|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54885906|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> The agreement resulted in a major shift regarding the control of the territories in Nagorno-Karabakh and the areas surrounding it. Approximately 2,000 Russian soldiers were deployed as peacekeeping forces along the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, with a mandate of at least five years.<ref name="peace"/> Following the end of the war, an unconfirmed number of ] were held captive in Azerbaijan, with reports of mistreatment and charges filed against them,<ref name="CEPS">{{cite journal |last1=de Waal |first1=Thomas |title=The Nagorny Karabakh Conflict in its Fourth Decade |journal=Centre for European Policy Studies |date=27 September 2021 |url=https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/the-nagorny-karabakh-conflict-in-its-fourth-decade/ |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="ArmenianPOWsAbused">{{cite web |date=19 March 2021 |title=Azerbaijan: Armenian POWs Abused in Custody |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/19/azerbaijan-armenian-pows-abused-custody}}</ref><ref name="ArmenianPOWs">{{cite web |date=2 December 2020 |title=Azerbaijan: Armenian Prisoners of War Badly Mistreated |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/02/azerbaijan-armenian-prisoners-war-badly-mistreated |access-date=2 December 2020 |work=Human Rights Watch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Natiqqizi |first1=Ulkar |last2=Mejlumyan |first2=Ani |date=1 July 2021 |title=Armenian soldiers on trial in Azerbaijan |work=Eurasianet |url=https://eurasianet.org/armenian-soldiers-on-trial-in-azerbaijan |access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> leading to ] at the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zrr42ylv|title = THE HAGUE – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds public hearings in the case Armenia v. Azerbaijan| date=14 October 2021 }}</ref> | |||
International analysts believe that fighting likely began with an Azerbaijani ],<ref name="russiamatters01">{{cite web|last1=Kofman|first1=Michael|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan War: Military Dimensions of the Conflict|url=https://www.russiamatters.org/analysis/armenia-azerbaijan-war-military-dimensions-conflict|website=russiamatters.org|publisher=Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/7V4MH|archive-date=3 October 2020|date=2 October 2020|quote=On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, resulting in fighting that spans much of the line of contact in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh...}}</ref><ref name="eurasianet_290920">{{cite web|last1=Kucera|first1=Joshua|date=29 September 2020|title=As fighting rages, what is Azerbaijan's goal?|url=https://eurasianet.org/as-fighting-rages-what-is-azerbaijans-goal|access-date=29 September 2020|website=eurasianet.org|quote=The Azerbaijani offensive against Armenian forces is its most ambitious since the war between the two sides formally ended in 1994.|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004115811/https://eurasianet.org/as-fighting-rages-what-is-azerbaijans-goal |url-status=live}}</ref> and that the primary goal of the offensive was to reclaim districts in southern Nagorno-Karabakh that are less mountainous and thus easier to take than the region's well-fortified interior.<ref name="fp_280920">{{cite news|last=Palmer|first=James|date=28 September 2020|title=Why Are Armenia and Azerbaijan Heading to War?|publisher=Foreign Policy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/28/why-are-armenia-azerbaijan-heading-to-war-nagorno-karabakh/|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928222614/https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/28/why-are-armenia-azerbaijan-heading-to-war-nagorno-karabakh/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="eadaily_021020"/> The war was marked by the deployment of ], sensors, long-range heavy artillery<ref name=":2">{{cite web|last=Gatopoulos|first=Alex|title=The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is ushering in a new age of warfare|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/11/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-ushering-in-new-age-of-warfare|access-date=2020-10-15|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> and ] strikes, as well as by state propaganda and the use of official social media accounts in online ].<ref name=":9">{{cite news|last=Mirovalev|first=Mansur|date=15 October 2020|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan battle an online war over Nagorno-Karabakh|agency=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/15/karabakh-info-war|url-status=live}}</ref> Total casualties on both sides may be in the low thousands.<ref name=":4"/> | |||
The later ] would see the entirety of the disputed territory come under the control of Azerbaijan. | |||
Numerous countries and the ] strongly condemned the fighting and called on both sides to de-escalate tensions and resume meaningful negotiations without delay.<ref name="f24_300920">{{cite web |date=2020-09-30|title=UN Security Council calls for immediate end to fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200930-un-security-council-calls-for-immediate-end-to-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-09-30|agency=Associated Press|website=france24.com|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009133111/https://www.france24.com/en/20200930-un-security-council-calls-for-immediate-end-to-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref> Three ceasefires brokered by Russia, France, and the United States failed to stop the fighting.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hovhannisyan|first1=Nvard |last2=Bagirova|first2=Nailia|date=2020-10-13 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict unacceptable: EU|agency=The Canberra Times|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6991293/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-unacceptable-eu/?cs=14232|access-date=2020-11-17}}</ref> | |||
== Naming == | |||
Following ] of ], the second-largest settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, a ] was signed between the President of Azerbaijan, ], the Prime Minister of Armenia, ], and the President of Russia, ], ending all hostilities in the area from 00:00, 10 November 2020 ].<ref name="RIANovosti">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583847112.html|title=Путин выступил с заявлением о прекращении огня в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="RIA Novosti">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583845291.html|title=Пашинян заявил о прекращении боевых действий в Карабахе|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{cite news|date=2020-11-10|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Russia deploys peacekeeping troops to region|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54885906|access-date=2020-11-11}}</ref> The President of Artsakh, ], also agreed to end the hostilities.<ref name="ria.ru">{{cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201110/karabakh-1583847338.html|title=Президент непризнанной НКР дал согласие закончить войну|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref> Under the agreement, the warring sides will keep control of their currently held areas within Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenia will return the surrounding territories it occupied in 1994 to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will also gain land access to its ] exclave bordering ] and ].<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/armenia-settlement-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan.html</ref> Approximately 2,000 Russian soldiers will be deployed as peacekeeping forces along the Lachin corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh for a mandate of at least five years.<ref name="peace"/> | |||
The war has been referred to as the "Second Nagorno-Karabakh War",<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Jakob|last1=Hedenskog|first2=Aron|last2=Lund|first3=Johan|last3=Norberg|title=The End of the Second Karabakh War: New realities in the South Caucasus|location=Stockholm|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Oleg|last=Chupryna|url=https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/geopolitical-outcomes-of-the-second-nagorno-karabakh-war/|title=Geopolitical Outcomes of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War|date=14 December 2020|work=Geopolitical Monitor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112073759/https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/geopolitical-outcomes-of-the-second-nagorno-karabakh-war/|archive-date=12 January 2021|access-date=9 January 2021|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> and has also been called the "44-Day War" in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Nikol|last=Pashinyan|author-link=Nikol Pashinyan|url=https://www.primeminister.am/hy/interviews-and-press-conferences/item/2021/01/04/Nikol-Pashinyan-04-01/|title=44-օրյա պատերազմի ծագումը. վարչապետ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հոդվածը|date=4 January 2021|work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104153240/https://www.primeminister.am/hy/interviews-and-press-conferences/item/2021/01/04/Nikol-Pashinyan-04-01#photos|archive-date=4 January 2021|access-date=5 January 2021|language=hy|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://xalqqazeti.com/az/news/63147|title=Azərbaycan Ordusu 44 günlük müharibədə tarixi Qələbə əldə etdi|date=11 November 2020|newspaper=Khalg Gazeti|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115230030/https://xalqqazeti.com/az/news/63147|archive-date=15 January 2021|access-date=5 January 2021|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | |||
In Armenia and Artsakh, it has been called the "Second Artsakh War" ({{langx|hy|Արցախյան երկրորդ պատերազմ|translit=Arts'akhyan yerkrord paterazm}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geopolitics.am/archives/15697|title=Արցախյան երկրորդ պատերազմի արդյունքները. ստորագրված փաստաթուղթն ու հետևությունները|work=GeoPolitics.am|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726224124/http://geopolitics.am/archives/15697|archive-date=26 July 2022|language=hy|access-date=13 October 2022|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2020/12/15/%D4%B1%D6%80%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%AD%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AF%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%A4-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A6%D5%B4%D5%A8%D5%9D-%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A2-%D5%AC%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D5%B9%D6%84%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%BE-%D6%81%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A4%D5%A5%D5%BD-%D5%84%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%AF%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4/378801|title=Արցախյան երկրորդ պատերազմը՝ արաբ լրագրողի աչքերով. ցուցահանդես Մոսկվայում|work=1lurer.am|date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726051412/https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2020/12/15/%D4%B1%D6%80%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%AD%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AF%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%A4-%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A6%D5%B4%D5%A8%D5%9D-%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A2-%D5%AC%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D5%B9%D6%84%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%BE-%D6%81%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A4%D5%A5%D5%BD-%D5%84%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%AF%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4/378801|archive-date=26 July 2022|language=hy|access-date=13 October 2022|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> "Patriotic War"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2020/10/04/ՀԱՂԹԵԼՈՒԵՆՔ-Սա-հայրենական-սուրբ-պատերազմ-է-Արայիկ-Հարությունյան/326510|title=#ՀԱՂԹԵԼՈՒԵՆՔ. Սա հայրենական սուրբ պատերազմ է. Արայիկ Հարությունյան|date=4 October 2020|website=www.1lurer.am}}</ref> and the "Fight for Survival" ({{langx|hy|Գոյամարտ|Goyamart}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Toghramadjian |first1=Hagop |last2=Bailey |first2=Kathleen |date=13 November 2020 |title=It's Time to Get Real About U.S. Interests in the South Caucasus |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/10/its-time-to-get-real-about-u-s-interests-in-the-south-caucasus/ |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=National Review}}</ref> | |||
{{TOC limit}} | |||
In Azerbaijan, it has been called the "Second Karabakh War" ({{Langx|az|İkinci Qarabağ müharibəsi}})<ref>{{cite news|title=President Aliyev's brilliant leadership, wisdom ensured Azerbaijan's victory in Second Karabakh War – Sobhani|url=https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/174198.html|work=AzerNews|date=22 December 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121032911/https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/174198.html|archive-date=21 January 2021|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> and "Patriotic War".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.science.gov.az/news/open/14376|title=Vətən Müharibəsində dövlətimizin və ordumuzun yanındayıq|publisher=]|date=30 September 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109195643/http://www.science.gov.az/news/open/14376|archive-date=9 January 2021|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://azeridefence.com/az%C9%99rbaycanda-yeni-h%C9%99rbi-orden-medallar-v%C9%99-f%C9%99xri-ad-t%C9%99sis-edilib/|title=Azərbaycanda yeni hərbi orden, medallar və fəxri ad təsis edilib|work=AzeriDefence|date=20 November 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114021647/https://azeridefence.com/az%c9%99rbaycanda-yeni-h%c9%99rbi-orden-medallar-v%c9%99-f%c9%99xri-ad-t%c9%99sis-edilib/|archive-date=14 January 2021|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> The Azerbaijani government referred to it as an "operation for peace enforcement"<ref>{{cite web |last=Mikayıloğlu |first=Ramiz |date=11 October 2020 |title=Assistant to President of Azerbaijan: "First phase of operation for peacemenforcement of Armenia was successfully completed" |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Assistant-to-President-of-Azerbaijan:-%22First-phase-of-operation-for-peaceenforcement-of-Armenia-was-successfully-completed%22-332582 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010125828/https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Assistant-to-President-of-Azerbaijan:-%22First-phase-of-operation-for-peaceenforcement-of-Armenia-was-successfully-completed%22-332582 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> and "counter-offensive operation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1100863723/Defense-Ministry-Azerbaijan-Armys-Troops-launches-counter-offensive-operation-along-entire-front|date=29 September 2020|title=Defense Ministry: Azerbaijan Army's Troops launches counter-offensive operation along entire front|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019132400/https://menafn.com/1100863723/Defense-Ministry-Azerbaijan-Armys-Troops-launches-counter-offensive-operation-along-entire-front|url-status=live|archive-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> It later announced it had initiated military operations under the code-name "Operation Iron Fist" ({{langx|az|Dəmir Yumruq əməliyyatı}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://report.az/qarabag/azerbaycan-ordusu-dusmene-qarsi-emeliyyatlari-demir-yumruq-adi-altinda-kecirib/|title=Azərbaycan Ordusu düşmənə qarşı əməliyyatları "Dəmir yumruq" adı altında keçirib|work=Report Information Agency|date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110085220/https://report.az/qarabag/azerbaycan-ordusu-dusmene-qarsi-emeliyyatlari-demir-yumruq-adi-altinda-kecirib/|archive-date=10 January 2021|access-date=15 January 2021|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | |||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
{{ |
{{Further|History of Nagorno-Karabakh|Nagorno-Karabakh conflict}} | ||
The territorial ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh is fiercely contested between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The ] has its roots in events following ] and today the region is '']'' part of Azerbaijan, although large parts |
The territorial ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh is fiercely contested between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The ] has its roots in events following ] and today the region is '']'' part of Azerbaijan, although large parts were '']'' held by the internationally unrecognised ], which is supported by Armenia.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 April 2016|title=Nagorno-Karabakh profile|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18270325|access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref> | ||
===Soviet era=== | ===Soviet era=== | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast}} | ||
During the ] era, the region was governed as an ] within the ] |
During the ] era, the predominantly Armenian-populated region was governed as an ] within the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=UNHCR publication for CIS Conference (Displacement in the CIS) – Conflicts in the Caucasus|url=https://www.unhcr.org/publications/refugeemag/3b5583fd4/unhcr-publication-cis-conference-displacement-cis-conflicts-caucasus.html|website=UNHCR|publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|access-date=18 November 2020|date=1 May 1996|quote=This mountain enclave, mostly inhabited by people of Armenian language and origin, had been placed under Azerbaijan's jurisdiction in the 1920s, and was entirely surrounded by villages populated by Azeris.}}</ref> As the ] during the late 1980s the question of Nagorno-Karabakh's status re-emerged, and on 20 February 1988 the parliament of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast passed a resolution requesting transfer of the oblast from the Azerbaijan SSR to the ]. Azerbaijan rejected the request several times,<ref name=":4">{{cite book|last=De Waal|first=Thomas|url=https://catalogue.solent.ac.uk/openurl/44SSU_INST/44SSU_INST:VU1?u.ignore_date_coverage=true&rft.mms_id=9997123365104796|title=Black Garden Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War, 10th Year Anniversary Edition, Revised and Updated|date=2013|isbn=978-0-8147-7082-5|oclc=1154881834}}</ref> and ethnic violence began shortly thereafter with a series of pogroms between 1988 and 1990 against Armenians in ], ] and ],<ref name="economist_context">{{cite news |title=The fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh reflects decades of conflict |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/10/29/the-fighting-in-nagorno-karabakh-reflects-decades-of-conflict |access-date=2 April 2021 |newspaper=The Economist |date=29 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=de Waal|first=Thomas|title=Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War|title-link=Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War|publisher=New York University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-8147-1945-9|location=New York|page=|quote=Around ninety Armenians died in the Baku pogroms.|author-link=Thomas de Waal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Parks |first=Michael |date=27 November 1988 |title=Soviet Tells of Blocking Slaughter of Armenians: General Reports His Soldiers Have Suppressed Dozens of Massacre Attempts by Azerbaijanis |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-27-mn-1060-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Broers|first=Laurence|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan: Anatomy of Rivalry|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2019|isbn=978-1-4744-5055-3|location=Edinburgh|page=18|quote=Armenians see the campaign that emerged in 1987 to unify Karabakh and Armenia as peaceful, yet met with organized pogroms killing dozens of Armenians in the Azerbaijani cities of Sumgait, Kirovabad (today's Ganja) and Baku in 1988–1990.}}</ref> and against Azerbaijanis in ] and ].<ref name="nytgugark">{{cite web|last=Barringer|first=Felicity|date=7 December 1988|title=3 More Killed in Soviet Ethnic Protest|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/07/world/3-more-killed-in-soviet-ethnic-protest.html|access-date=5 November 2020|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="bbcpogrom">{{cite web|date=29 August 2005|title=Карабах: хронология конфликт|trans-title=Karabakh: Chronology of the conflict|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711104919/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm|archive-date=11 July 2012|access-date=5 November 2020|work=BBC Russian Service|publisher=BBC|language=ru|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref name="trud">{{cite web|last=Khlystun|first=Victor|date=1 February 2001|title=10 БАЛЛОВ ПО ШКАЛЕ ПОЛИТБЮРО|trans-title=10 POINTS ON THE POLITBURO SCALE|url=https://www.trud.ru/article/01-02-2001/18874_10_ballov_po_shkale_politbjuro.html|access-date=5 November 2020|newspaper=Trud|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="kavkazpogrom">{{cite journal|last=Papyan|first=Mane|date=22 April 2015|title=Gugark after Sumgait|url=https://caucasusedition.net/gugark-after-sumgait/|journal=Caucasus Edition|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050219/https://caucasusedition.net/gugark-after-sumgait/|archive-date=25 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Following the ], an ] was held in the region on 10 December 1991. The referendum was boycotted by the Azerbaijani population, which then constituted around 22.8% of the region's population; 99.8% of participants voted in favour. In early 1992, following the Soviet Union's collapse, the region descended into outright war.<ref name=":4"/>{{dead link|date=January 2021}} | ||
===First Nagorno-Karabakh War=== | ===First Nagorno-Karabakh War=== | ||
{{ |
{{Main|First Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | ||
] and the displacement of the region's Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian population. <small>()</small>]] | |||
The ] resulted in the displacement of approximately 725,000 Azerbaijanis and 300,000–500,000 Armenians from both Azerbaijan and Armenia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haider |first1=Hans |title=Gefährliche Töne im "Frozen War" |url=https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/welt-europa/weltpolitik/513109_Gefaehrliche-Toene-im-Frozen-War.html |accessdate=18 November 2020 |work=Wiener Zeitung |date=2 January 2013 |language=German}}</ref> The 1994 ] brought the fighting to an end and resulted in significant Armenian territorial gains: in addition to controlling most of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Republic of Artsakh also occupied the surrounding Azerbaijani populated districts of ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Military occupation of Azerbaijan by Armenia|url=http://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/military-occupation-of-azerbaijan-by-armenia|access-date=27 September 2020|publisher=Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project}}</ref> The terms of the Bishkek agreement produced a ],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Stan |title=A hundred-year 'frozen conflict' has restarted — and it's a pattern we've seen before |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-represents-a-war-of-identity/12713140 |accessdate=18 November 2020 |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=29 September 2020 |language=en-AU}}</ref> and long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by the ] in 1994, with the interrupted ] being the most recent iteration prior to the 2020 war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Palmer|first=James|title=Why Are Armenia and Azerbaijan Heading to War?|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/28/why-are-armenia-azerbaijan-heading-to-war-nagorno-karabakh/|access-date=2020-10-08|publisher=Foreign Policy}}</ref><ref name="MinskGroup_2Oct2020">{{cite web|title=Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group |author=OSCE Minsk Group|url=https://www.osce.org/minsk-group/465711|date=2020-10-02|access-date=2020-10-09|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019120749/https://www.osce.org/minsk-group/465711|archive-date=2020-10-19|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] adopted ] in 1993 calling for the withdrawal of "occupying forces" from the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref>Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884: | |||
The ] resulted in the displacement of approximately 725,000 Azerbaijanis and 300,000–500,000 Armenians from both Azerbaijan and Armenia.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haider|first=Hans|title=Gefährliche Töne im "Frozen War"|url=https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/welt-europa/weltpolitik/513109_Gefaehrliche-Toene-im-Frozen-War.html|access-date=18 November 2020|work=Wiener Zeitung|date=2 January 2013|language=de}}</ref> The 1994 ] brought the fighting to an end and resulted in significant Armenian territorial gains: in addition to controlling most of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Republic of Artsakh also occupied the surrounding Azerbaijani-populated districts of ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Military occupation of Azerbaijan by Armenia|url=http://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/military-occupation-of-azerbaijan-by-armenia|access-date=27 September 2020|publisher=Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project}}</ref> The terms of the Bishkek agreement produced a ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Grant|first=Stan|title=A hundred-year 'frozen conflict' has restarted — and it's a pattern we've seen before|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-represents-a-war-of-identity/12713140|access-date=18 November 2020|work=ABC News (Australia)|date=29 September 2020}}</ref> and long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by the ] in 1994, with the interrupted ] being the most recent iteration prior to the 2020 war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Palmer|first=James|title=Why Are Armenia and Azerbaijan Heading to War?|date=28 September 2020 |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/28/why-are-armenia-azerbaijan-heading-to-war-nagorno-karabakh/|access-date=8 October 2020|publisher=Foreign Policy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |date=2 October 2020 |title=Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group |url=https://www.osce.org/minsk-group/465711 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019120749/https://www.osce.org/minsk-group/465711 |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=9 October 2020 |publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe}}</ref> The ] adopted ] in 1993 calling for the withdrawal of "occupying forces" from the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref>Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884: | |||
*{{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/00822.pdf|title=Resolution 822 (1993)|date=30 April 1993|website=unscr.com|publisher=United Nations Security Council}} | |||
*{{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/ |
* {{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/00822.pdf|title=Resolution 822 (1993)|date=30 April 1993|website=unscr.com|publisher=United Nations Security Council}} | ||
*{{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/ |
* {{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/00853.pdf|title=Resolution 853 (1993)|date=29 July 1993|website=unscr.com|publisher=United Nations Security Council}} | ||
*{{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/ |
* {{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/00874.pdf|title=Resolution 874 (1993)|date=14 October 1993|website=unscr.com|publisher=United Nations Security Council}} | ||
and in 2008 the ] adopted ] demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces,<ref>{{cite web |
* {{cite web|url=http://unscr.com/files/1993/00884.pdf|date=12 November 1993|title=Resolution 884 (1993)|website=unscr.com|publisher=United Nations Security Council}}</ref> | ||
and in 2008 the ] adopted ] demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/ga10693.doc.htm|title=General Assembly adopts resolution reaffirming territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, demanding withdrawal of all Armenian forces|date=14 March 2008|publisher=United Nations}}</ref> although the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and USA, voted against it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://undocs.org/en/A/62/PV.86|title=United Nations A/62/PV.86 General Assembly Sixty-second session|date=14 March 2008|website=undocs.org|publisher=United Nations}}</ref> | |||
===Frozen conflict=== | ===Frozen conflict=== | ||
{{See also|July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes}} | |||
{{main|Nagorno-Karabakh conflict}} | |||
For three decades multiple violations of the ceasefire occurred, the most serious being the four-day ].<ref name="diplomatie_150720">{{cite web|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan – Border clashes between the two countries (15 July 2020)|url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/armenia/news/article/armenia-azerbaijan-border-clashes-between-the-two-countries-15-jul-2020|publisher=Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (France)|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> Surveys indicated that the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh did not want to be part of Azerbaijan<ref>{{cite web|last1=Toal|first1=Gerard|last2=O’Loughlin|first2=John|last3=Bakke|first3=Kristin M.|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: what do residents of the contested territory want for their future?|date=12 October 2020 |url=http://theconversation.com/nagorno-karabakh-what-do-residents-of-the-contested-territory-want-for-their-future-147690|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=The Conversation}}</ref> and in 2020 the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to make Shusha, a city of historical and cultural significance to both Armenians and Azerbaijanis,<ref name="economist_context" /> Artsakh's new capital. In August of the same year the ] moved the ] to Shusha, escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Carlotta |last=Gall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/world/europe/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh.html |title=Roots of War: When Armenia Talked Tough, Azerbaijan Took Action |date=27 October 2020 |access-date=2 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101214912/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/world/europe/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh.html |archive-date=1 January 2021 |work=] |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Further ] occurred on the ] in July 2020.<ref name="diplomatie_150720"/> Thousands of Azerbaijanis ] for war against Armenia in response, and Turkey voiced its firm support for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weise|first1=Zia|last2=Cienski|first2=Jan|last3=Herszenhorn|first3=David M.|date=28 September 2020|title=The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict explained|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-explained-armenia-azerbaijan/|publisher=Politico|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On 29 July 2020, Azerbaijan conducted a series of ]s that lasted from 29 July to 10 August 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Игра мускулами: зачем Азербайджан проводит учения с Турцией|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2020/07/28_a_13168861.shtml|access-date=27 September 2020|website=gazeta.Ru|date=28 July 2020 |language=ru}}</ref> followed by further exercises in early September with the involvement of Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-azerbaijan-military-drills-intimidate-armenia-president-aliyev-says|title=Turkey-Azerbaijan military drills intimidate Armenia, President Aliyev says|publisher=Daily Sabah|date=20 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> Prior to the resumption of hostilities, allegations emerged that Turkey had facilitated the transfer of hundreds of ] members from the ] to Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ron|last=Synovitz|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/are-syrian-mercenaries-helping-azerbaijan-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh-/30895331.html|title=Are Syrian Mercenaries Helping Azerbaijan Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh?|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=15 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022075555/https://www.rferl.org/a/are-syrian-mercenaries-helping-azerbaijan-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh-/30895331.html|archive-date=22 October 2020|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Baku denied the involvement of foreign fighters.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 October 2020|title=Azerbaijani President: There is not a single evidence of any foreign presence in Azerbaijan|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijani-President:-There-is-not-a-single-evidence-of-any-foreign-presence-in-Azerbaijan-331951|access-date=3 October 2020|website=apa.az|quote=There is not a single evidence of any foreign presence in Azerbaijan. We have capable army. We have enough people in our army, we have enough people in our reserves. I announced a partial mobilization, which will allow us to involve tens of thousands of reservists. If necessary, so we don't need it. Armenia needs it, because Armenian population is declining. And it is only two million people.}}</ref> | |||
For three decades multiple violations of the ceasefire occurred, the most serious being the four-day ].<ref name="diplomatie_150720"/> Surveys indicated that the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh did not want to be part of Azerbaijan, and in August 2019, in an unprecedented declaration in favour of unification, the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan stated "Artsakh is Armenia, full stop".<ref name=":15">{{cite web|last1=Toal|first1=Gerard |last2=O’Loughlin|first2=John|last3=Bakke|first3=Kristin M.|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: what do residents of the contested territory want for their future?|url=http://theconversation.com/nagorno-karabakh-what-do-residents-of-the-contested-territory-want-for-their-future-147690|access-date=2020-10-15|publisher=The Conversation}}</ref> | |||
Further ] occurred on the ] in July 2020.<ref name="diplomatie_150720">{{cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan – Border clashes between the two countries (15 July 2020)|url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/armenia/news/article/armenia-azerbaijan-border-clashes-between-the-two-countries-15-jul-2020|publisher=Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (France)|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> Thousands of Azerbaijanis demonstrated for war against Armenia in response, and Turkey voiced its firm support for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weise|first1=Zia|last2=Cienski|first2=Jan|last3=Herszenhorn|first3=David M.|date=28 September 2020|title=The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict explained |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-explained-armenia-azerbaijan/|publisher=Politico|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On 29 July 2020, Azerbaijan conducted a series of ]s that lasted from 29 July to 10 August 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Игра мускулами: зачем Азербайджан проводит учения с Турцией |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2020/07/28_a_13168861.shtml|access-date=27 September 2020|website=gazeta.Ru|language=ru}}</ref> followed by further exercises in early September with the involvement of Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-azerbaijan-military-drills-intimidate-armenia-president-aliyev-says|title=Turkey-Azerbaijan military drills intimidate Armenia, President Aliyev says|publisher=Daily Sabah|date=20 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> Prior to the resumption of hostilities, allegations emerged that Turkey had facilitated the transfer of hundreds of ] members from the ] to Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ron|last=Synovitz|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/are-syrian-mercenaries-helping-azerbaijan-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh-/30895331.html|title=Are Syrian Mercenaries Helping Azerbaijan Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh?|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=15 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://archive.is/llvdP|archive-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> The government of Azerbaijan denied the involvement of foreign fighters.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 October 2020|title=Azerbaijani President: There is not a single evidence of any foreign presence in Azerbaijan |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijani-President:-There-is-not-a-single-evidence-of-any-foreign-presence-in-Azerbaijan-331951|access-date=3 October 2020|website=apa.az|quote=There is not a single evidence of any foreign presence in Azerbaijan. We have capable army. We have enough people in our army, we have enough people in our reserves. I announced a partial mobilization, which will allow us to involve tens of thousands of reservists. If necessary, so we don't need it. Armenia needs it, because Armenian population is declining. And it is only two million people.}}</ref> | |||
== Course of the |
== Course of the war == | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Timeline of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | ||
=== Overview === | |||
] | |||
=== Overview === | |||
The accounts of engagements in this conflict rely primarily on official statements from belligerents.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} The engagements have been characterized by the use of ]; ],<ref name=":6">{{cite news|title=The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict hints at the future of war|publisher=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/10/10/the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-hints-at-the-future-of-war|access-date=2020-10-09|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> especially the use of Turkish-made ] and ]i ] Harop drones;<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":2"/> ]; ] attacks; and ].{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} Throughout the campaign, Azerbaijan has relied heavily on drones to strike at Armenian/Artsakh forces, and managed to inflict heavy losses. Having successfully targeted tanks, artillery, and air defense systems, Azerbaijani drones also began targeting units of soldiers. However, some Azerbaijani drones were shot down.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bulos|first=Nabih|date=2020-10-15|title=A new weapon complicates an old war in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-15/drones-complicates-war-armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-28|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name=":12"/> It has also featured the deployment of ]s, which are ] but not by Armenia or Azerbaijan:<ref>{{cite web|title=United Nations Treaty Collection|url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-6&chapter=26&lang=en|access-date=2020-10-05|website=treaties.un.org|archive-date=2020-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618150323/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-6&chapter=26&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan states that Armenia has deployed cluster munitions against civilians,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ermenistan cepheden kaçıyor sivilleri vuruyor|url=https://www.dunyabulteni.net/ortadogu/ermenistan-cepheden-kaciyor-sivilleri-vuruyor-h479865.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-25|website=Dünya Bülteni|language=tr}}</ref> and international third parties have confirmed evidence of Azerbaijan's use of cluster munitions against civilian areas of Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|access-date=2020-10-25|website=amnesty.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Colin|date=2020-10-05|title=Azerbaijan dropping cluster bombs on civilian areas in war with Armenia|publisher=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/05/azerbaijan-dropping-cluster-bombs-civilian-areas-war-armenia/|access-date=2020-10-25|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> A series of attacks have inflicted mass civilian casualties in ], while civilian residences and infrastructure in ], Artsakh's capital, and elsewhere have been targeted, inflicting casualties and causing extensive damage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hauer|first=Neil|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Sirens, shelling and shelters in Stepanakert|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/nagorno-karabakh-sirens-shelling-and-shelters-in-stepanakert|access-date=2020-10-19|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> Disinformation and misinformation have accompanied the conflict.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-26|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: The Armenian-Azeri 'information wars'|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54614392|access-date=2020-10-26}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
The conflict was characterised by the widespread use of ], particularly by Azerbaijan,<ref name=":5">{{cite news|title=The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict hints at the future of war|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/10/10/the-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-hints-at-the-future-of-war|access-date=9 October 2020|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> as well as ] barrages, ] attacks and ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Bethan|last=McKernan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/oct/13/trench-warfare-drones-and-cowering-civilians-on-the-ground-in-nagorno-karabakh|title=Trench warfare, drones and cowering civilians: on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh|date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227021636/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/oct/13/trench-warfare-drones-and-cowering-civilians-on-the-ground-in-nagorno-karabakh|archive-date=27 December 2020|access-date=9 January 2021|work=]|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Throughout the campaign, Azerbaijan relied heavily on ]s against Armenian/Artsakh forces, inflicting heavy losses upon Armenian tanks, artillery, air defence systems and military personnel, although some Azerbaijani drones were shot down.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bulos|first=Nabih|date=15 October 2020|title=A new weapon complicates an old war in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-15/drones-complicates-war-armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=28 October 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web|last=Forestier-Walker|first=Robin|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: New weapons for an old conflict spell danger|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/13/nagorno-karabakh-new-weapons-for-an-old-conflict-spell-danger|access-date=15 October 2020|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> It also featured the deployment of ]s, which are ] but not by Armenia or Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|title=United Nations Treaty Collection|url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx|access-date=5 October 2020|website=treaties.un.org|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618150323/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspxurl-status=live|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Armenia<ref name="hrw">{{Cite web|date=30 October 2020|title=Armenia: Cluster Munitions Kill Civilians in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/30/armenia-cluster-munitions-kill-civilians-azerbaijan|access-date=21 November 2020|website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> and Azerbaijan<ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Colin|date=5 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan dropping cluster bombs on civilian areas in war with Armenia|journal=Daily Telegraph|publisher=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/05/azerbaijan-dropping-cluster-bombs-civilian-areas-war-armenia/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/05/azerbaijan-dropping-cluster-bombs-civilian-areas-war-armenia/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=25 October 2020|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> used cluster munitions against civilian areas outside of the conflict zone.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|access-date=25 October 2020|website=amnesty.org|date=5 October 2020}}</ref> A ] on ] inflicted mass civilian casualties, as did ] on ], Artsakh's capital.<ref>{{cite web |title=Azerbaijan: Unlawful Strikes in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/11/azerbaijan-unlawful-strikes-nagorno-karabakh |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=3 April 2021 |format=Report |date=11 December 2020}}</ref> Much of Stepanakert's population fled during the course of the fighting.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hauer|first=Neil|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Sirens, shelling and shelters in Stepanakert|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/nagorno-karabakh-sirens-shelling-and-shelters-in-stepanakert|access-date=19 October 2020|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> The conflict was accompanied by coordinated attempts to spread misleading content and ] via ] and the internet.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Giles |first1=Christopher |last2=Bhat |first2=Upasana |date=26 October 2020 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: The Armenian-Azeri 'information wars' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54614392 |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
The amount of territory contested is relatively restricted, but the conflict has expanded beyond the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh due to the level of conflict and kind of munitions deployed and spilled over international borders. Shells and rockets have landed in ] in ], although causing no damage,<ref>{{citation|last=Hashemzadeh|first=Mehri|title=اصابت راکت به روستای خلف بیگلو خسارت مالی و جانی نداشت|date=27 September 2020|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/99070604539/|editor-last=Teymouri|editor-first=Robab|publisher=Iranian Students News Agency|language=fa|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rocket attack on northwest of Iran border|publisher=Islamic World News|url=https://english.iswnews.com/15568/rocket-attack-on-northwest-of-iran-border/|access-date=2020-10-01|archive-date=2020-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002122159/https://english.iswnews.com/15568/rocket-attack-on-northwest-of-iran-border/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and Iran has reported several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) downed or crashed within its territory,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/middle-east/iran-news/iran-reports-crash-of-israeli-made-azeri-drone-in-clashes-with-armenia/2020/10/13/|title=Iran Reports Crash of Israeli-Made Azeri Drone in Clashes with Armenia|date=13 October 2020|publisher=Jewish Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Geopolitics.news|date=2020-09-30|title=Iran shoots down suspected Azerbaijani drone|url=https://geopolitics.news/euroasia/iran-shoots-down-suspected-azerbaijani-drone/|access-date=2020-10-05|publisher=Geopolitics News|archive-date=2020-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010123414/https://geopolitics.news/euroasia/iran-shoots-down-suspected-azerbaijani-drone/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Мы предупреждали Алиева!': Иран сбил азербайджанский военный самолёт|url=https://avia.pro/news/my-preduprezhdali-alieva-iran-sbil-azerbaydzhanskiy-voennyy-samolyot|access-date=2020-10-05|website=avia.pro|archive-date=2020-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002115459/https://avia.pro/news/my-preduprezhdali-alieva-iran-sbil-azerbaydzhanskiy-voennyy-samolyot|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Desk|date=2020-09-29|title=Iran confirms its air defenses shot down foreign drone in East Azerbaijan|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-confirms-its-air-defenses-shot-down-foreign-drone-in-east-azerbaijan/|access-date=2020-09-30|publisher=Al-Masdar News|archive-date=2020-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003072747/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-confirms-its-air-defenses-shot-down-foreign-drone-in-east-azerbaijan/|url-status=live}}</ref> while Georgia stated that two UAVs had crashed in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://police.ge/en/shinagan-saqmeta-saministros-gantskhadeba/14025|title=Statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs|publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia|access-date=7 October 2020|date=7 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010123414/https://police.ge/en/shinagan-saqmeta-saministros-gantskhadeba/14025|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The conflict began with an Azerbaijani ground offensive that included |
The conflict began with an Azerbaijani ground offensive that included armoured formations, supported by artillery and drones, including ]s. Armenian and Artsakh troops were forced back from their first line of defence in Artsakh's southeast and northern regions, but inflicted significant losses on Azerbaijani armoured formations with anti-tank guided missiles and artillery, destroying dozens of vehicles. Azerbaijan made heavy use of drones in strikes against Armenian air defences, taking out 13 short-range surface-to-air missile systems. Azerbaijani forces used drones to systematically isolate and destroy Armenian/Artsakh positions. Reconnaissance drones would locate a military position on the front lines and the placement of reserve forces, after which the position would be shelled along with roads and bridges that could potentially be used by the reserves to reach the position. After the Armenian/Artsakh position had been extensively shelled and cut off from reinforcement, the Azerbaijanis would move in superior forces to overwhelm it. This tactic was repeatedly used to gradually overrun Armenian and Artsakh positions.<ref name="ecfr">{{Cite web |last=Gressel |first=Gustav |date=24 November 2020 |title=Military lessons from Nagorno-Karabakh: Reason for Europe to worry |url=https://ecfr.eu/article/military-lessons-from-nagorno-karabakh-reason-for-europe-to-worry/ |website=ECFR}}</ref> Azerbaijani troops managed to make limited gains in the south in the first three days of the conflict. For the next three days, both sides largely exchanged fire from fixed positions. In the north, Armenian/Artsakh forces counterattacked, managing to retake some ground. Their largest counterattack took place on the fourth day, but incurred heavy losses when their armour and artillery units were exposed to Azerbaijani attack drones, loitering munitions, and reconnaissance drones spotting for Azerbaijani artillery as they manoeuvred in the open.<ref name=warontherocks/> | ||
] | |||
On the sixth day, Azerbaijan and Armenia/Artsakh began trading missile and rocket artillery strikes against infrastructure. Among the targets hit were ], the capital of Artsakh, which was repeatedly shelled with rocket artillery, a bridge linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, which was taken out in a missile strike, and ], which was hit ] by Armenian and Artsakh, with ] among the targets. On the morning of the seventh day, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive. The Azerbaijani Army's First, Second, and Third Army Corps, reinforced by reservists from the Fourth Army Corps, began an advance in the north, making some territorial gains, but the Azerbaijani advance stalled.<ref name=warontherocks/> | |||
Azerbaijan targeted infrastructure throughout Artsakh starting on the first day of the war, including ], the capital of Artsakh, and a missile strike against a bridge in the ] linking Armenia with Artsakh. On the 6th day of the war, Armenia/Artsakh targeted ] for the ], nominally targeting the military portion of ] but instead hitting residential areas. On the morning of the seventh day, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive. The Azerbaijani Army's First, Second, and Third Army Corps, reinforced by reservists from the Fourth Army Corps, began an advance in the north, making some territorial gains, but the Azerbaijani advance stalled.<ref name=warontherocks/> | |||
Most of the fighting subsequently shifted to the south, in terrain that is relatively flat and underpopulated as compared to the mountainous north. Azerbaijani forces launched offensives toward ] and ], managing to break through the multi-layered Armenian/Artsakh defensive lines and recapture a stretch of territory held by Armenian troops as a buffer zone, but the fighting subsequently stalled.<ref name=warontherocks/> | Most of the fighting subsequently shifted to the south, in terrain that is relatively flat and underpopulated as compared to the mountainous north. Azerbaijani forces ] toward ] and ], managing to break through the multi-layered Armenian/Artsakh defensive lines and recapture a stretch of territory held by Armenian troops as a buffer zone, but the fighting subsequently stalled.<ref name=warontherocks/> | ||
] | |||
After the shelling of ],<ref>{{cite news|date=15 October 2020|title=Taking Up Arms in Nagorno-Karabackh|publisher=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-10-15/taking-up-arms-in-nagorno-karabackh-video}}</ref> Artsakh authorities began mobilising civilians.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh volunteers get weapons as clashes intensify|website=]|url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-armenia-c016829766e7f8a84708be53b6fcef21|access-date=15 October 2020|agency=AP NEWS}}</ref> Just before 04:00 (00:00 ]) on 10 October 2020, Russia reported that both Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire after ten hours of talks in Moscow (the Moscow Statement) and announced that both would enter "substantive" talks.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} After the declared ceasefire, the President of Artsakh admitted Azerbaijan had been able to achieve some success, moving the front deep into Artsakh territory;<ref>{{cite news|date=14 October 2020|title=Конфликт в Карабахе: Азербайджан ударил по территории Армении|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:189add94-ce6d-4bcb-898a-6fb236258776|access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> the Armenian Prime Minister announced that Armenian forces had conducted a "partial retreat".<ref>{{cite web|date=14 October 2020|title=Пашинян заявил о частичном отступлении в Карабахе|url=https://ria.ru/20201014/karabakh-1579764261.html|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
The ceasefire quickly broke down and the Azerbaijani advance continued. Within days Azerbaijan announced the capture of dozens of villages on the southern front.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chiragov |first=Fuad |date=19 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan Makes Strategic Advances Along Karabakh's Northern, Southern Flanks |url=https://jamestown.org/program/azerbaijan-makes-strategic-advances-along-karabakhs-northern-southern-flanks/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Jamestown |language=en-US}}</ref> A second ceasefire attempt midnight 17 October 2020 was also ignored.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:99078f11-17be-44e3-9acc-d586b733b3fe|title=Минобороны Азербайджана опубликовало еще одно видео из взятого села|date=26 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020|publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref> Azerbaijan announced the capture of Jabrayil on 9 October 2020 and Füzuli on 17 October 2020. Azerbaijani troops also captured the ] and ]. Azerbaijan announced that the border area with Iran was fully secured with the capture of Agbend on 22 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan claims "full control" of border with Iran|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/azerbaijan-claims-full-control-of-border-with-iran/671484|access-date=28 October 2020|website=timesnownews.com|date=22 October 2020 }}</ref> Azerbaijani forces then turned northwest, ], the sole highway between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, putting it within artillery range. According to Artsakh, a counterattack repelled forward elements of the Azerbaijani force and pushed them back. Armenian/Artsakh resistance had managed to halt the Azerbaijani advance to within 25 kilometres of the Lachin corridor by 26 October 2020. Artsakh troops who had retreated into the mountains and forests began launching small-unit attacks against exposed Azerbaijani infantry and armour, and Armenian forces launched a counteroffensive near the far southwestern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giragosian |first=Richard |date=2020-10-26 |title=Azerbaijan's next move will make or break Karabakh war |url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/azerbaijans-next-move-will-make-or-break-karabakh-war/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Asia Times |language=en-US}}</ref> On 26 October 2020, a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect, but fighting resumed within minutes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-10-25 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: US-brokered ceasefire frays soon after starting |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54686284 |access-date=2023-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |title=Despite Ceasefire, Fate Of Nagorno-Karabakh May Turn On The Lachin Corridor |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/10/26/despite-ceasefire-fate-of-the-nagorno-karabakh-may-turn-on-the-lachin-corridor/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Three days later, the Artsakh authorities stated that the Azerbaijani forces were {{cvt|5|km}} from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:083b4e4a-bb84-48ca-8f7b-15c5cd831799|title=Глава НКР заявил, что азербайджанская армия – в пяти километрах от Шуши|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, Azerbaijani forces ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c9dab829-3b4a-4464-a0c3-4d5c51aa1b0e|title=Azerbaijan captures strategic city in Nagorno-Karabakh|date=9 November 2020|publisher=Financial Times}}</ref> the second-largest city in Artsakh before the war, located 15 kilometres from ], the republic's capital.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hovhannisyan|first1=Nvard|last2=Bagirova|first2=Nailia|date=9 November 2020|title=Fierce fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azeris say they advance|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/fighting-rages-around-strategic-city-in-nagorno-karabakh-armenia-says-idUSKBN27P1FL|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
After the shelling of ],<ref>{{cite news|date=15 October 2020|title=Taking Up Arms in Nagorno-Karabackh|publisher=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-10-15/taking-up-arms-in-nagorno-karabackh-video|url-status=live}}</ref> Artsakh authorities began mobilizing civilians.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-15|title=Nagorno-Karabakh volunteers get weapons as clashes intensify|url=https://apnews.com/article/azerbaijan-armenia-c016829766e7f8a84708be53b6fcef21|access-date=2020-10-15|agency=AP NEWS}}</ref> Just before 04:00 (00:00 ]) on 10 October 2020, Russia reported that both Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire after ten hours of talks in Moscow (the Moscow Statement) and announced that both would enter "substantive" talks.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} After the declared ceasefire, the President of Artsakh admitted Azerbaijan had been able to achieve some success, moving the front deep into Artsakh territory;<ref name="movingdeeper">{{cite news|date=2020-10-14|title=Конфликт в Карабахе: Азербайджан ударил по территории Армении|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f86c247c4548e02bf3cb153%26%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%20%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%81%D1%8F%20%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B2%20%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%20%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F%20%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BD%D1%8F%3A%20%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%20%D0%9D%D0%9A%D0%A0%262020-10-14T09%3A18%3A00.674Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:189add94-ce6d-4bcb-898a-6fb236258776&pinned_post_asset_id=5f86c247c4548e02bf3cb153&pinned_post_type=share|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-14}}</ref> the Armenian Prime Minister announced that Armenian forces had conducted a "partial retreat".<ref name="partialretreat">{{cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Пашинян заявил о частичном отступлении в Карабахе|url=https://ria.ru/20201014/karabakh-1579764261.html?fbclid=IwAR1orDnUuP25us0xGeYB0iY1EC-cMLDYWhGS0pm3KwNlDjYLSQT3gCXLCoY|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-15|publisher=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
Although the amount of territory contested was relatively restricted, the conflict impacted the wider region, in part due to the type of munitions deployed. Shells and rockets landed in ], ], although no damage was reported,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hashemzadeh|first=Mehri|title=اصابت راکت به روستای خلف بیگلو خسارت مالی و جانی نداشت|date=27 September 2020|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/99070604539/|editor-last=Teymouri|editor-first=Robab|publisher=Iranian Students News Agency|language=fa|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rocket attack on northwest of Iran border|date=October 2020 |publisher=Islamic World News|url=https://english.iswnews.com/15568/rocket-attack-on-northwest-of-iran-border/|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002122159/https://english.iswnews.com/15568/rocket-attack-on-northwest-of-iran-border/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Iran reported that several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had been downed or had crashed within its territory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Israel |first=David |date=13 October 2020 |title=Iran Reports Crash of Israeli-Made Azeri Drone in Clashes with Armenia |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/middle-east/iran-news/iran-reports-crash-of-israeli-made-azeri-drone-in-clashes-with-armenia/2020/10/13/ |publisher=Jewish Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |date=30 September 2020 |title=Iran shoots down suspected Azerbaijani drone |url=https://geopolitics.news/euroasia/iran-shoots-down-suspected-azerbaijani-drone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010123414/https://geopolitics.news/euroasia/iran-shoots-down-suspected-azerbaijani-drone/ |archive-date=10 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |publisher=Geopolitics News}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{cite web|title='Мы предупреждали Алиева!': Иран сбил азербайджанский военный самолёт|url=https://avia.pro/news/my-preduprezhdali-alieva-iran-sbil-azerbaydzhanskiy-voennyy-samolyot|access-date=5 October 2020|website=avia.pro|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002115459/https://avia.pro/news/my-preduprezhdali-alieva-iran-sbil-azerbaydzhanskiy-voennyy-samolyot|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |date=29 September 2020 |title=Iran confirms its air defenses shot down foreign drone in East Azerbaijan |url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-confirms-its-air-defenses-shot-down-foreign-drone-in-east-azerbaijan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003072747/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-confirms-its-air-defenses-shot-down-foreign-drone-in-east-azerbaijan/ |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=30 September 2020 |publisher=Al-Masdar News}}</ref> Georgia stated that two UAVs had crashed in its ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://police.ge/en/shinagan-saqmeta-saministros-gantskhadeba/14025|title=Statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs|publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia|access-date=7 October 2020|date=7 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010123414/https://police.ge/en/shinagan-saqmeta-saministros-gantskhadeba/14025|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The ceasefire quickly broke down and the Azerbaijani advance continued. Within days Azerbaijan announced the capture of dozens of villages on the southern front.<ref>Chiragov, Fuad: – '']''</ref> A second ceasefire attempt midnight 17 October 2020 was also ignored.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f971bd849467302d61cdec7%26%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%8B%20%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%20%D0%B5%D1%89%D0%B5%20%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%BE%20%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE%20%D0%B8%D0%B7%20%D0%B2%D0%B7%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%20%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%262020-10-26T18%3A56%3A26.219Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:99078f11-17be-44e3-9acc-d586b733b3fe&pinned_post_asset_id=5f971bd849467302d61cdec7&pinned_post_type=share|title=Минобороны Азербайджана опубликовало еще одно видео из взятого села|date=26 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020 |publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref> Azerbaijan announced the capture of Jabrayil on 9 October 2020 and Füzuli on 19 October 2020. Azerbaijani troops also captured the ] and ]. Azerbaijan announced that the border area with Iran was fully secured with the capture of Agbend on 22 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan claims "full control" of border with Iran|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/azerbaijan-claims-full-control-of-border-with-iran/671484|access-date=2020-10-28|website=timesnownews.com}}</ref> Azerbaijani forces then turned northwest, advancing towards the Lachin corridor, the sole highway between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, putting it within artillery range. According to Artsakh, a counterattack repelled forward elements of the Azerbaijani force and pushed them back. Armenian/Artsakh resistance had managed to halt the Azerbaijani advance to within 25 kilometers of the Lachin corridor by 26 October 2020. Artsakh troops who had retreated into the mountains and forests began launching small-unit attacks against exposed Azerbaijani infantry and armor, and Armenian forces launched a counteroffensive near the far southwestern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref> – Asia Times</ref> On 26 October 2020, a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect, but fighting resumed within minutes.<ref> – BBC News</ref><ref> – Roblin, Sebastien: Forbes</ref> Three days later, the Artsakh authorities stated that the Azerbaijani forces were {{cvt|5|km}} from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f9ae1e749467302d61ce2af%26%D0%93%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%20%D0%9D%D0%9A%D0%A0%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%2C%20%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE%20%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F%20%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%8F%20-%20%D0%B2%20%D0%BF%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B8%20%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%85%20%D0%BE%D1%82%20%D0%A8%D1%83%D1%88%D0%B8%262020-10-29T15%3A38%3A16.880Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:083b4e4a-bb84-48ca-8f7b-15c5cd831799&pinned_post_asset_id=5f9ae1e749467302d61ce2af&pinned_post_type=share|title=Глава НКР заявил, что азербайджанская армия – в пяти километрах от Шуши|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, Azerbaijani forces ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c9dab829-3b4a-4464-a0c3-4d5c51aa1b0e|title= Azerbaijan captures strategic city in Nagorno-Karabakh|date=9 November 2020|publisher=Financial Times}}</ref> the second-largest city in Artsakh before the war, located 15 kilometers from ], the republic's capital.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hovhannisyan|first=Nvard|last2=Bagirova|first2=Nailia|date=2020-11-09|title=Fierce fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azeris say they advance|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/fighting-rages-around-strategic-city-in-nagorno-karabakh-armenia-says-idUSKBN27P1FL |access-date=2020-11-09}}</ref> | |||
=== Ceasefire agreement === | === Ceasefire agreement === | ||
{{ |
{{Main|2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement}} | ||
[[File:2020 |
[[File:2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire map.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of the ceasefire agreement | ||
{{legend|#B0EBA1|Azerbaijan outside of the conflict zone}} | {{legend|#B0EBA1|Azerbaijan outside of the conflict zone}} | ||
{{legend|#FFB380|Armenia}} | {{legend|#FFB380|Armenia}} | ||
{{legend|#37C871|Areas captured by Azerbaijan, to stay under its control}} | {{legend|#37C871|Areas captured by Azerbaijan during the war, to stay under its control}} | ||
{{legend|#AFE9DD|]: evacuated by Armenia by 20 November<ref name="DW-NK">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/nagorno-karabakh-azeri-army-enters-first-territory-ceded-by-armenia/a-55671735|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azeri army enters first territory ceded by Armenia|publisher=]|website=]|date=20 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="AlJ-NK">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/20/azerbaijan-army-enters-district-handed-over-by-armenia|title=Azerbaijan enters Nagorno-Karabakh district after peace deal|publisher=]|website=]|date=20 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref>}} | |||
{{legend|#AFE9DD|]: to be transferred to Azerbaijan by 20 November}} | |||
{{legend|#87DECD|]: evacuated by Armenia by 25 November<ref name="RadioFree">{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijani-forces-enter-second-district-returned-by-armenia-under-nagorno-karabakh-truce/30967755.html|title=Azerbaijani Forces Reclaim Second District From Armenians Under Nagorno-Karabakh Truce|website=]|publisher=]|date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref>}} | |||
{{legend|#87DECD|]: to be transferred to Azerbaijan by 25 November}} | |||
{{legend|#D7F4EE|]: evacuated by Armenia by 1 December<ref name="enteredlachin">{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijani-forces-enter-third-district-under-nagorno-karabakh-truce/30977052.html|title=Azerbaijani Forces Enter Third District Under Nagorno-Karabakh Truce|date=1 December 2020|website=]|publisher=]}}</ref>}} | |||
{{legend|#D7F4EE|]: to be transferred to Azerbaijan by 1 December}} | |||
{{legend|#FFCCAA|Part of ] |
{{legend|#FFCCAA|Part of ] remaining under the control of ]}} | ||
{{legend|#BA8895|Lachin corridor, monitored by Russian peacekeepers}} | {{legend|#BA8895|Lachin corridor, monitored by Russian peacekeepers}} | ||
{{legend-line|darkred solid 2px|Access roads into Nagorno-Karabakh}} | {{legend-line|darkred solid 2px|Access roads into Nagorno-Karabakh}} | ||
{{legend-line|lightgreen solid 2px| All economic and transport connections in the region to be unblocked, including transport connections between Nakhchivan and rest of Azerbaijan (arrow's hypothetical location chosen by a Misplaced Pages user, and not defined by the statement itself)}} | |||
{{legend-line|lightgreen solid 2px|New Azerbaijani transport corridor to be established}} | |||
{{legend-line|black dotted 2px|] before the 2020 conflict.}} | {{legend-line|black dotted 2px|] before the 2020 conflict.}} | ||
{{legend-line|black dashed 1.5px|Other areas claimed by Artsakh}} | {{legend-line|black dashed 1.5px|Other areas claimed by Artsakh}} | ||
]] | ]] | ||
On 9 November 2020, in the aftermath of the capture of Shusha, a ceasefire agreement was signed by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, ending all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from 10 November 2020, 00:00 Moscow time.<ref name="RIANovosti"/><ref name="RIA Novosti"/><ref name=": |
On 9 November 2020, in the aftermath of the capture of Shusha, a ceasefire agreement was signed by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, ending all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from 10 November 2020, 00:00 Moscow time.<ref name="RIANovosti"/><ref name="RIA Novosti"/><ref name=":3"/> The President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, also agreed to end the hostilities.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last1=Losh|first1=Jack|last2=Roth|first2=Andrew|date=10 November 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal brokered by Moscow prompts anger in Armenia|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-pm-signs-deal-to-end-war-with-azerbaijan-and-russia|access-date=11 October 2021|website=]}}</ref> | ||
Under the terms of the deal, both belligerent parties were to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of the fallen. Furthermore, Armenian forces were to withdraw from Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh by 1 December 2020, while a peacekeeping force, provided by the ] and led by Lieutenant General ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/11/free/politics%20news/en/129784.htm|title=General Rustam Muradov is appointed Commander of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh|date=11 November 2020|access-date=11 November 2020|publisher=Turan Information Agency}}</ref> of just under 2,000 soldiers would be deployed for a minimum of five years along the line of contact and the Lachin corridor linking Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Additionally, Armenia undertook to "guarantee safety" of |
Under the terms of the deal, both belligerent parties were to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of the fallen. Furthermore, Armenian forces were to withdraw from Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh by 1 December 2020, while a peacekeeping force, provided by the ] and led by Lieutenant General ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/11/free/politics%20news/en/129784.htm|title=General Rustam Muradov is appointed Commander of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh|date=11 November 2020|access-date=11 November 2020|publisher=Turan Information Agency}}</ref> of just under 2,000 soldiers would be deployed for a minimum of five years along the line of contact and the Lachin corridor linking Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Additionally, Armenia undertook to "guarantee safety" of transport communication between Azerbaijan's ] exclave and mainland Azerbaijan in both directions, while Russia's ] (under the ]) were to "exercise control over the transport communication".<ref>{{cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Заявление Президента Азербайджанской Республики, Премьер-министра Республики Армения и Президента Российской Федерации|publisher=]|language=ru|url=http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/64384|access-date=15 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=10 November 2020|title=Пашинян заявляет о подписании мирного соглашения|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:cff55216-dfba-4dc6-9a6a-bdf38d9793c7|access-date=10 November 2020|publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> | ||
On 15 December 2020, after several weeks of cease fire, the sides finally exchanged prisoners of war. 44 Armenian and 12 Azeri prisoners were exchanged.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan exchange first prisoners after war|url=https://news.yahoo.com/armenia-azerbaijan-exchange-first-prisoners-143236612.html|access-date=15 December 2020|website=Yahoo News|date=15 December 2020 }}</ref> It is unclear whether more prisoners remain in captivity on either side. | |||
===Territorial changes=== | |||
At the time of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan had retaken most of the area south of the Lachin corridor. It had also captured one-third of Nagorno-Karabakh, mostly in the south. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan regained control over much of its territory that had been lost to Armenia in the earlier war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan: A blockade that never ended and a peace deal hanging by a thread |url=https://globalvoices.org/2023/07/19/armenia-and-azerbaijan-a-blockade-that-never-ended-and-a-peace-deal-hanging-by-a-thread/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Global Voices |language=en}}</ref> In total, Azerbaijan regained control of 72% of the disputed territory, including the territory captured in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/blogs/83781/posts/45972 |title=Территориальные потери Арцаха в результате второй Карабахской войны (статистика и карты)| trans-title= Territorial losses of Artsakh as a result of the Second Karabakh War (statistics and maps)|date = 19 November 2020 |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128184525/https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/blogs/83781/posts/45972 |url-status=live|first=Grant| last = Mikaelyan}}</ref> It was reported that Azerbaijan regained control of 5 cities, 4 towns, 286 villages.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://azertag.az/xeber/Isgaldan_azad_edilmis_seher_ve_kendlerimiz-1622227 |title=İşğaldan azad edilmiş şəhər və kəndlərimiz |work=] |date=1 December 2020 |access-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201201185921/https://azertag.az/xeber/Isgaldan_azad_edilmis_seher_ve_kendlerimiz-1622227 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |language=az }}</ref> | |||
=== Non-military actions taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan === | === Non-military actions taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan === | ||
Since the beginning of the conflict, both Armenia and Azerbaijan declared ], limiting the ]. |
Since the beginning of the conflict, both Armenia and Azerbaijan declared ], limiting the ]. Meanwhile, a new law came into effect since October 2020 in Armenia, which prohibits negative coverage of the situation at the front.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dimitri|last=Avaliani|url=https://jam-news.net/karabakh-conflict-news-information-war-journalists-armenia-azerbaijan/|title=The (dis)information war around Karabakh|date=28 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=JAM News}}</ref> Restrictions have been reported on the work of international journalists in Azerbaijan, with no corresponding restrictions reported in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2020|title='France is no longer an honest broker', say Azeri officials ahead of Nagorno-Karabakh talks|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201008-france-is-no-longer-an-honest-broker-say-azeri-officials-ahead-of-nagorno-karabakh-talks|access-date=21 October 2020|publisher=France 24}}</ref> | ||
==== Armenia ==== | ==== Armenia ==== | ||
], ] on 7 October 2020.]] | ], ], on 7 October 2020.]] | ||
On 28 September 2020, Armenia banned men aged over 18 listed in the |
On 28 September 2020, Armenia banned men aged over 18 listed in the mobilisation reserve from leaving the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/armeniaazerbaij-conflict/1206133|title=Armenian cabinet bans all men from mobilization reserve aged over 18 from leaving state|website=tass.com|agency=TASS|access-date=28 September 2020|date=28 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929044004/https://tass.com/armeniaazerbaij-conflict/1206133|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, it postponed the trial of former President ] and other former officials charged in the 2008 post-election unrest case, owing to one of the defendants, the former Defence Minister of Armenia, ], going to Artsakh during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2020 |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |title=Kocharyan trial delayed as indicted ex-defense minister Seyran Ohanyan heads to Artsakh amid attack |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029400.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930163710/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029400.html |archive-date=30 September 2020 |access-date=29 September 2020 |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress}}</ref> | ||
On 1 October 2020, the ] (NSS) stated that it had arrested and charged a former high-ranking Armenian military official with treason on suspicion of spying for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web| |
On 1 October 2020, the ] (NSS) stated that it had arrested and charged a former high-ranking Armenian military official with treason on suspicion of spying for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2020 |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |title=Armenia ex-military official charged with high treason on suspicion of spying for Azeri intelligence |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029750.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003145424/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029750.html |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=1 October 2020 |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress}}</ref> Three days later, the NSS stated that it had arrested several foreign citizens on suspicion of spying.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 October 2020 |editor-last=Sirekanyan |editor-first=Tigran |title=NSS Armenia arrests foreign citizens on intelligence suspicions |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030334.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004220058/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030334.html |archive-date=4 October 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020 |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress}}</ref> Protesting Israeli ] to Azerbaijan, Armenia ] to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hovhannisyan |first1=Nvard |last2=Ayyub |first2=Rami |date=1 October 2020 |title=Armenia recalls ambassador to Israel over arms sales to Azerbaijan |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-israel/armenia-recalls-ambassador-to-israel-over-arms-sales-to-azerbaijan-idUSKBN26M76L |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009224731/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-israel/armenia-recalls-ambassador-to-israel-over-arms-sales-to-azerbaijan-idUSKBN26M76L |archive-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> | ||
On 8 October 2020, the ], ], dismissed the director of the NSS.<ref>{{cite web| |
On 8 October 2020, the ], ], dismissed the director of the NSS.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 October 2020 |editor-last=Harutyunyan |editor-first=Aneta |title=Director of Armenia's National Security Service dismissed |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030826.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011140742/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030826.html |archive-date=11 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress}}</ref> Subsequently, the Armenian government toughened the martial law and prohibited criticising state bodies and "propaganda aimed at disruption of the defense capacity of the country".<ref name="armenianmartiallaw">{{cite web|url=https://jam-news.net/armenia-spy-caught-martial-law-toughened/|title=Stepanakert man detained after convincing soldiers to forfeit positions to Azerbaijani army|publisher=Jam News|date=9 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011140742/https://jam-news.net/armenia-spy-caught-martial-law-toughened/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, the Armenian MoD cancelled ''a ]'' correspondent's journalistic accreditation, officially for entering Nagorno-Karabakh without accreditation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Azar |first=Il'ja |date=8 October 2020 |title=МИД Армении лишил аккредитации журналиста "Новой газеты" Илью Азара после репортажа из Нагорного Карабаха |url=https://meduza.io/amp/news/2020/10/08/mid-armenii-lishil-akkreditatsii-zhurnalista-novoy-gazety-ilyu-azara-posle-reportazha-iz-nagornogo-karabaha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008203958/https://meduza.io/amp/news/2020/10/08/mid-armenii-lishil-akkreditatsii-zhurnalista-novoy-gazety-ilyu-azara-posle-reportazha-iz-nagornogo-karabaha |archive-date=8 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=meduza.io |language=ru}}</ref> On 9 October 2020, Armenia tightened its security legislation.<ref name="armenianmartiallaw"/> On 21 October 2020, the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers temporarily banned the import of ], the decision will come into force on 31 December 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201021/armeniya-1580851789.html|title=Правительство Армении запретило импорт турецких товаров|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=21 October 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|language=ru}}</ref> The following day, the ] passed a law to write off the debts of the Armenian servicemen wounded during the clashes and the debts of the families of those killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jam-news.net/debts-have-been-written-off-for-the-families-of-servicemen-they-have-also-received-compensation/|title=Debt write-offs for soldiers' families and tax breaks for military service in Armenia|publisher=JAM News|date=22 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> | ||
On 27 October 2020, the Armenian president Armen Sarkissian dismissed the head of the counterintelligence department of the National Security Service, Major General Hovhannes Karumyan and the chief of staff of the border troops of the National Security Service Gagik Tevosyan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social |
On 27 October 2020, the Armenian president Armen Sarkissian dismissed the head of the counterintelligence department of the National Security Service, Major General Hovhannes Karumyan and the chief of staff of the border troops of the National Security Service Gagik Tevosyan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:6b5f42eb-3695-495e-8f64-5b11e65e4b10|title=В Армении уволены начальник контрразведки и начштаба погранохраны|publisher=BBC Russian Service|date=27 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020|language=ru}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, Sarkissian yet again dismissed the interim head of the National Security Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:ad1d9282-5442-4b27-821e-159945577a65|title=В Армении снова уволен глава контрразведки|publisher=BBC Russian Service|date=8 November 2020|access-date=8 November 2020|language=ru}}</ref> | ||
As of 8 November 2020, one Armenian activist was fined by the police for his anti-war post.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/armenian-police-fine-peace-activist-over-anti-war-post/ |
As of 8 November 2020, one Armenian activist was fined by the police for his anti-war post.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/armenian-police-fine-peace-activist-over-anti-war-post/|title=Armenian police fine peace activist over anti-war post|publisher=OC Media|date=8 November 2020|access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref> | ||
==== Azerbaijan ==== | ==== Azerbaijan ==== | ||
] in Jafar Jabbarly Square near the ] station in ] on 10 October 2020.]] | ] in Jafar Jabbarly Square near the ] station in ] on 10 October 2020.]] | ||
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijani authorities restricted internet access shortly after the clashes began |
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijani authorities restricted internet access shortly after the clashes began,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/vlasti_azerbajdzhana_ogranichili_dostup_k_internetu_posle_obstrelov_v_karabahe-516731/|title=Власти Азербайджана ограничили доступ к интернету после обстрелов в Карабахе|website=tvrain.ru|publisher=Dozhd|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|language=ru|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004151626/https://tvrain.ru/news/vlasti_azerbajdzhana_ogranichili_dostup_k_internetu_posle_obstrelov_v_karabahe-516731/|url-status=live}}</ref> stating it was "in order to prevent large-scale Armenian provocations." The government made a noticeable push to use ], which was the only unblocked platform in the country. Despite the restrictions, some Azerbaijanis still used ]s to bypass them.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pearce |first=Katy |date=4 December 2020 |title=While Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, their citizens battled on social media |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/04/while-armenia-azerbaijan-fought-over-nagorno-karabakh-their-citizens-battled-social-media/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325170506/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/04/while-armenia-azerbaijan-fought-over-nagorno-karabakh-their-citizens-battled-social-media/ |archive-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> The ] declared a curfew in ], ], ], ] and a number of districts from midnight on 28 September 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Azərbaycanda komendant saatı elan olundu|url=https://www.azerbaycan24.com/azerbaycanda-komendant-saati-elan-olundu/|website=azerbaycan24.com|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927135515/https://www.azerbaycan24.com/azerbaycanda-komendant-saati-elan-olundu/|archive-date=27 September 2020|language=az|date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bu gecədən komendant saatı elan olunur|url=https://aqreqator.az/az/siyaset/1029826|website=aqreqator.az|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927135427/https://aqreqator.az/az/siyaset/1029826|archive-date=27 September 2020|language=az|date=27 September 2020}}</ref> under the Interior Minister, ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Vilayat-Eyvazov-appointed-commandant-of-areas-where-curfew-is-applied-colorred-ORDERcolor-331394|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012130603/https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Vilayat-Eyvazov-appointed-commandant-of-areas-where-curfew-is-applied-colorred-ORDERcolor-331394|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 October 2020|title=Vilayat Eyvazov appointed commandant of areas where curfew is applied|website=apa.az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> ] announced that all airports in Azerbaijan would be closed to regular passenger flights until 30 September 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azal.az/az/offer/549|title=Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı|website=azal.az|publisher=Azerbaijan Airlines|access-date=28 September 2020|language=az|date=28 September 2020|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706180846/https://www.azal.az/az/offer/549|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Military Prosecutor's Offices of Fuzuli, Tartar, Karabakh and Ganja began criminal investigations of war and other crimes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genprosecutor.gov.az/az/post/2785|title=Mətbuat xidmətinin MƏLUMATI – cəbhədəki son vəziyyət|website=genprosecutor.gov.az|publisher=Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan|access-date=28 September 2020|language=az|date=27 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928071020/https://genprosecutor.gov.az/az/post/2785|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Also on 28 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree authorising a partial |
Also on 28 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree authorising a partial mobilisation in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mincom.gov.az/en/view/news/992/order-of-the-president-of-the-republic-of-azerbaijan-on-the-announcement-of-partial-mobilization-in-the-republic-of-azerbaijan|title=Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the announcement of partial mobilization in the Republic of Azerbaijan|publisher=Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies (Azerbaijan)|access-date=12 October 2020|date=28 September 2020}}</ref> On 8 October 2020, Azerbaijan recalled its ambassador to Greece for consultations, following allegations of ] arriving in Nagorno-Karabakh to fight against Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/257836/article/ekathimerini/news/azerbaijan-recalls-its-ambassador-to-greece-for-consultations|title=Azerbaijan recalls its ambassador to Greece for consultations|website=ekathimerini.com|access-date=8 October 2020|date=8 October 2020}}</ref> Three days later, the ] warned against a potential Armenian-backed terror attack.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lmahamad |first=Ayya |date=16 October 2020 |title=State Security Service issues warning over Armenian terror threat |url=https://www.azernews.az/aggression/170802.html |access-date=29 October 2020 |publisher=AzerNews}}</ref> | ||
On 17 October 2020, the Azerbaijani MoFA stated that member of the ] from the ruling ], ], was declared '']'' in ] for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh without permission from the Azerbaijani government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://report.az/ru/nagorno-karabakhskiy-konflikt/deputatu-gosdumy-zapretili-vezd-v-azerbajdzhan/ |
On 17 October 2020, the Azerbaijani MoFA stated that member of the ] from the ruling ], ], was declared '']'' in ] for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh without permission from the Azerbaijani government.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tagiev |first=Anar |date=16 October 2020 |title=Депутату Госдумы запретили въезд в Азербайджан |url=https://report.az/ru/nagorno-karabakhskiy-konflikt/deputatu-gosdumy-zapretili-vezd-v-azerbajdzhan/ |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=ru |agency=Report Information Agency}}</ref> On 24 October 2020, by recommendation of the ], the member banks of the Azerbaijani Banks' Association unanimously adopted a decision to write off the debts of the military servicemen and civilians who died during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Consumer-credits-of-our-martyred-military-servicemen-and-civilian-citizens-who-sustained-damage-as-result-of-enemy-provocation-to-be-completely-written-off-333780|title=Consumer credits of our martyred military servicemen and civilian citizens who sustained damage as result of enemy provocation to be completely written off|website=apa.az|access-date=16 October 2020|date=16 October 2020}}</ref> | ||
On 29 October 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree on the formation of temporary commandant's offices in the areas that the Azerbaijani forces seized control of during the conflict. According to the decree, the commandants will be appointed by the ], but they will have to coordinate with other executive bodies of the government, including ], the ], the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://president.az/articles/44886|title=Azərbaycan Respublikasının işğaldan azad olunmuş ərazilərində müvəqqəti xüsusi idarəetmənin təşkili haqqında Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin Fərmanı|first=Ilham|last=Aliyev|author-link=Ilham Aliyev|website=president.az|publisher=Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020 |
On 29 October 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree on the formation of temporary commandant's offices in the areas that the Azerbaijani forces seized control of during the conflict. According to the decree, the commandants will be appointed by the ], but they will have to coordinate with other executive bodies of the government, including ], the ], the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://president.az/articles/44886|title=Azərbaycan Respublikasının işğaldan azad olunmuş ərazilərində müvəqqəti xüsusi idarəetmənin təşkili haqqında Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin Fərmanı|first=Ilham|last=Aliyev|author-link=Ilham Aliyev|website=president.az|publisher=Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|language=az}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:5370b84f-3e8a-43ec-9afd-c8cfee40a0b3|title=Азербайджан создает комендатуры отвоеванных районов|publisher=BBC Russian Service|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|language=ru}}</ref> | ||
Over the course of the war several Azerbaijani activists were brought in for questioning by the State Security Service, due to their anti-war activism.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weir |first=Fred |date=31 October 2020 |title=In Azerbaijan and Armenia, a brave few call for end to fighting |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2020/1029/In-Azerbaijan-and-Armenia-a-brave-few-call-for-end-to-fighting |access-date=5 November 2020 |publisher=The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Abubakirova |first=Sabina |date=13 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijani peace activists called for questioning |url=https://oc-media.org/azerbaijani-peace-activists-called-for-questioning/ |access-date=2 November 2020 |publisher=OC Media}}</ref> On 12 December, a decree by President Aliyev lifted the curfew that had been imposed in September.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sadyhova |first=Nargiz |date=12 December 2020 |editor-last=Kochneva |editor-first=Natal'ja |title=С сегодняшнего дня в Азербайджане отменен комендантский час |url=https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/3348700.html |access-date=11 December 2020 |publisher=] |language=ru}}</ref> | |||
On 31 October 2020, after gaining control of the territories on the border with Iran, Azerbaijan has established control over four more border posts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/azerbajdzhan-vidnovyv-shhe-chotyry-prykordonni-zastavy/|title=Azerbaijan has restored four more border posts|date=2020-10-31|website=mil.in.ua|publisher=Ukrainian military portal|access-date=2020-10-31}}</ref> | |||
== Casualties == | |||
By 4 November 2020, six peace activists from Azerbaijan have been called to questioning by the State Security Service, due to their anti-war activism in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2020/1029/In-Azerbaijan-and-Armenia-a-brave-few-call-for-end-to-fighting|title=In Azerbaijan and Armenia, a brave few call for end to fighting|publisher=The Christian Science Monitor|date=31 October 2020|access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijani peace activists called for questioning|url=https://oc-media.org/azerbaijani-peace-activists-called-for-questioning/|publisher=OC Media|date=13 October 2020|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=28 September 2020|title=Anti-war activist detained by Azerbaijani security service|url=https://oc-media.org/anti-war-activist-detained-by-azerbaijani-security-service/|url-status=live|access-date=2 November 2020|publisher=C Media}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Live updates: Day 37 of war in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://oc-media.org/live-updates-day-37-of-war-in-nagorno-karabakh/|publisher=OC Media|date=2 November 2020|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/live-updates-day-39-of-war-in-nagorno-karabakh/|title=Live updates: Day 39 of war in Nagorno-Karabakh|publisher=OC Media|date=4 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Casualties of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | |||
Casualties were high,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The human cost of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/the-human-cost-of-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict |access-date=15 October 2020 |website=]}}</ref> officially in the low thousands. According to official figures released by the belligerents, Armenia lost 3,825 troops killed<ref name="ArmenianKIA1" /> and 187 missing,<ref name="ARMMIA" /> while Azerbaijan lost 2,906 troops killed, with six ].<ref name="azMoDlist" /> During the conflict, it was noted that the sides downplayed the number of their own casualties and exaggerated the numbers of enemy casualties and injuries.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 October 2020 |title=Military experts from Armenia and Azerbaijan question official casualty figures |url=https://jam-news.net/karabakh-casualties-experts-opinion/ |access-date=18 October 2020 |publisher=JAMnews}}</ref> | |||
== Aftermath == | |||
], Azerbaijan after the peace treaty.]] | |||
=== |
=== Civilians === | ||
], mainly 18–20 year old soldiers fought in hostilities.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 November 2020 |title=Главные предатели – мы все, мы оставили солдат одних» – подчеркнул лидер Карабаха |url=https://rus.azatutyun.am/a/30942821.html |website=rus.azatutyun.am |publisher=] |language=ru |quote=«Мы предали всей нацией, помощь оказывали, я доволен, но мы предали, потому что невозможно было бороться 18-20-летним ребятам против 6-7-8 государств. Да, в основном воевали 18-20-летние», – подчеркнул лидер Карабаха.}}</ref>]] | |||
Shortly after the news about the ] broke in the early hours of 10 November, ] erupted in ] against ], claiming he was a "traitor" for having accepted the peace deal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=2020-11-10|title=Facing Military Debacle, Armenia Accepts a Deal in Nagorno-Karabakh War|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/armenia-settlement-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan.html|access-date=2020-11-10 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Protesters also seized the parliament building by breaking a metal door, and pulled the ] ] from a car and beat him.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 November 2020|title=Протестующие в Ереване избили спикера парламента Армении|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/armeniya-1583852881.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=11 November 2020|website=РИА Новости|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Demonstrators seized the building of the Armenian parliament|url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/736343|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-11|website=interfax.ru|language=ru}}</ref> Throughout November, Armenian minister of foreign affairs, ],<ref> ], 16 November 2020</ref> minister of defence, ],<ref> ], 20 November 2020</ref> head of the same ministry’s military control service, ],<ref> ], 18 November 2020</ref> the spokesman of Armenia's Defense Ministry ] resigned from their posts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.az/news/official-representative-of-armenias-defense-ministry-resigns|title=Official representative of Armenia's Defense Ministry resigns|date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
The Armenian authorities stated that 85 Armenian civilians were killed during the war,{{efn|name="ArmenianKIA2"}} while another 21 were missing.<ref name="ARMMIA" /> According to Azerbaijani sources, the Armenian military has targeted densely populated areas containing civilian structures.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 2020 |title=One more civil person killed as a result of shelling of residential settlements by Armenia |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/One-more-civil-person-killed-as-a-result-of-shelling-of-residential-settlements-by-Armenia-331411 |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> As of 9 November 2020, the ] stated that during the war, as a result of reported shelling by Armenian artillery and rocketing, 100 people had been killed, while 416 people had been wounded.<ref name="AzerCivs" /> Also, during the post-war clashes, the Azerbaijani authorities stated that an ] employee was seriously injured during the installation of communication facilities and transmission equipment near ].<ref name="bbchadrut">{{Cite web |date=12 December 2020 |title=Azərbaycan MN: "4 hərbi qulluqçumuz öldürülüb" |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55285924 |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=BBC Azerbaijani Service |language=az}}</ref> | |||
As of 23 October 2020, the Armenian authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced more than half of Nagorno-Karabakh's population or approximately 90,000 people.<ref name="riadisplaced" /> The ] has also claimed that more than half of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been displaced by the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 November 2020 |title=Crisis Watch: Breaking news from the International Rescue Committee |url=https://www.rescue.org/article/crisis-watch-breaking-news-international-rescue-committee |website=rescue.org |publisher=International Rescue Committee}}</ref> As of 2 November 2020, the Azerbaijani authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced approximately 40,000 people in Azerbaijan.<ref name="azerbaijandisplaced" /> | |||
=== Returning of occupied territories === | |||
Ahead of the transfer of ] from Artsakh to Azerbaijan under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, ethnic Armenians burnt their homes to prevent them being reinhabited by Azerbaijanis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201113-armenians-flee-homes-as-azerbaijan-takeover-looms |title=Armenians flee homes as Azerbaijan takeover looms |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Anelise |last=Borges |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/14/nagorno-karabakh-ethnic-armenians-set-fire-to-their-homes-rather-than-hand-them-to-azerbai |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Ethnic Armenians set fire to their homes rather than hand them to Azerbaijan |date=14 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> The district had been mostly inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis before the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and was re-settled by Armenian citizens after the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-to-begin-handing-over-territory-to-azerbaijan-under-terms-of-truce/30950886.html |title=Azerbaijan Extends Deadline For Armenia To Withdraw From Key District Under Karabakh Truce |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> Some Armenians took their dead relatives' remains with them,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/14/nagorno-karabakh-villagers-burn-their-homes-ahead-of-peace-deal |title=Armenians residents in Kalbajar burn their homes before Azerbaijan handover |date=14 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> and ''Reuters'' reported that villagers were "carting off everything they could as trucks nearby loaded up with household possessions".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-village-idUSKBN27U0FQ |title=Armenians set fire to homes before handing village over to Azerbaijan |date=14 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> The reports of house burning emerged on 13 November,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oc-media.org/live-updates-some-armenian-residents-of-kalbajar-burn-homes/ |title=Live updates: Some Armenian residents of Kalbajar burn homes |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> and on 15 November ''Agence France-Presse'' reported that in ] at least six houses were set on fire.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Hervé |last=Bar |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/11/15/azerbaijan-extends-armenian-pullout-deadline-from-disputed-area-a72048 |title=Azerbaijan Extends Armenian Pullout Deadline From Disputed Area |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> At Armenia's request, Azerbaijan extended the deadline for Armenians to fully vacate Kalbajar District by 10 days, until 25 November. Azerbaijan's Presidential Office stated that they took the worsening weather and the fact that there was only one road to Armenia into consideration when agreeing to extend the deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/15/armenia-cedes-disputed-land-to-azerbaijan-after-peace-deal |title=Azerbaijan extends Armenian pullout deadline from Kalbajar |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> Azerbaijan's authorities denounced civilians leaving the area for burning houses and committing what it termed "ecological terror".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/asia/ecological-terror-azerbaijan-delays-takeover-denounces-fleeing-armenians-20201116-p56eu6.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |title='Ecological terror': Azerbaijan delays takeover, Armenians torch homes |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> | |||
Seven journalists have been injured.<ref name=":6" /><ref name="anarshushali">{{cite news |date=19 October 2020 |title=Азербайджан заявил о четырех пострадавших при обстреле Агдамского района |language=ru |publisher=RIA Novosti |url=https://ria.ru/20201019/karabakh-1580506732.html |access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> On 1 October 2020, two French journalists from '']'' covering the clashes in ] were injured by Azerbaijani shellfire.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Safi |first=Michael |date=2020-10-01 |title=Russia says it and Turkey urge end to hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/two-french-reporters-injured-amid-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict |url-status=live |access-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007002854/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/two-french-reporters-injured-amid-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict |archive-date=2020-10-07 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> A week later, three Russian journalists reporting in ] were seriously injured by an Azerbaijani attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2020 |editor-last=Sirekanyan |editor-first=Tigran |title=Russian reporter in critical situation, witnesses say drone flying over the Church before striking |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030925/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014212914/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030925 |archive-date=14 October 2020 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 October 2020 |title=Russia MFA: Russian reporters wounded in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone to be transported to Yerevan |url=https://news.am/eng/news/606904.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141035/https://news.am/eng/news/606904.html |archive-date=11 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=Armenia News}}</ref> On 19 October 2020, according to Azerbaijani sources, an Azerbaijani ] journalist received shrapnel wounds from Armenian shellfire in Aghdam District.<ref name="anarshushali" /> | |||
On 19 November, ''Agence France-Presse'' reported that the Armenian soldiers were destroying buildings of their headquarters in ], a major city housing about 200,000 people until the ] in 1993, with over 90% Azerbaijani majority, but since became a ]. The Armenians living in ] also had set their homes on fire.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/20/azerbaijan-army-enters-district-handed-over-by-armenia |title=Azerbaijan enters Nagorno-Karabakh district after peace deal |date=20 November 2020 |access-date=20 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> The next day, Azerbaijani forces entered ], ], the chief of staff of the Russian peacekeeping task force in the region stating that the handover operation was carried out without incident.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-army-enters-aghdam-armenians-flee/30959905.html |title=Azerbaijani Troops Take Control Of Agdam As Armenians Flee |date=20 November 2020 |access-date=20 November 2020 |work=] }}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Military === | ||
In contrast, the peace agreement and the end of the war was seen as a victory and was widely celebrated in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Agency|first=Anadolu|date=2020-11-10|title=Euphoric Azerbaijanis celebrate "victorious" Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/euphoric-azerbaijanis-celebrate-victorious-nagorno-karabakh-peace-deal/news|access-date=2020-11-10|website=Daily Sabah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|date=10 November 2020|title=Cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh provokes protests in Armenia, celebrations in Azerbaijan|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-armenia-russia-azerbaijan/2020/11/10/b1b9bcc0-231b-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> On 10 November 2020, crowds waved flags in ] when the deal was announced.<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-11-10|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|access-date=2020-11-11}}</ref> The ] reported that Ghazanchetsots Cathedral had been defaced after Azerbaijani forces took control of Shusha, prompting a statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry denouncing the vandalism; Azerbaijani President Aliyev issued a statement saying Christian churches would be protected.<ref name="heintz-delay">{{cite news|last1=Heintz|first1=Jim|date=15 November 2020|title=Azerbaijan delays takeover, denounces fleeing Armenians|work=AP News|agency=AP|url=https://apnews.com/article/peacekeeping-forces-azerbaijan-russia-vladimir-putin-armenia-07679eadaeb535be478331e6113463c9|accessdate=15 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Casualties, equipment losses and infrastructure damage == | |||
{{multiple image | {{multiple image | ||
| align = right | | align = right | ||
| direction = vertical | | direction = vertical | ||
| image1 |
| image1 = Azerbaijani combattants of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.jpg | ||
| caption1 = Wounded Azerbaijani servicemen attending the ] on 10 December. | |||
| caption1 = Rescue teams in ], second-largest city of ], at a site hit by an ]. | |||
| image2 = |
| image2 = War trophies from Armenian Army at 2020 Victory Parade in Baku 11.jpg | ||
| caption2 = An Artsakh ] captured as a ] by the Azerbaijani forces, displayed on 10 December during the victory parade. | |||
| thumbtime2 = 00:27 | |||
| caption2 = ], the capital city of the ], has been heavily damaged by ]. | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{main|Casualties of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}} | |||
Civilian and military casualties have been high,<ref name=":10">{{cite web|title=The human cost of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/12/the-human-cost-of-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|access-date=2020-10-15|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> officially in the hundreds and possibly in the low thousands,<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last1=McKernan|first1=Bethan|last2=Zavallis |first2=Achilleas|date=2020-10-13|title=Trench warfare, drones and cowering civilians: on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh|publisher=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/oct/13/trench-warfare-drones-and-cowering-civilians-on-the-ground-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-10-13|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> with casualty reports not having been independently verified. Civilian areas, including major cities, have been hit, including Azerbaijan's second-largest city, Ganja, and the region's capital, Stepanakert, with many buildings and homes destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-10-05|title=In pictures: Fighting rages in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54418901|access-date=2020-10-05|archive-date=2020-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005180202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54418901|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-10-04|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54407436|access-date=2020-10-05|archive-date=2020-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004100202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54407436|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] has also been damaged.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ronzheimer |first1=Paul|last2=Moutafis|first2=Giorgos|date=9 October 2020|title=Church bombed to ruins|language=de|publisher=Bild|url=https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/xwnWw|archive-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> Several outlets reported increased cases of ] in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly the city of Stepanakert, where the population is forced to live in overcrowded ]s, due to Azerbaijan artillery and drone strikes, and difficulty in testing and contact tracing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-azerbaijan-armenia-europe-14f519a45ce899c2c7a52cba7c876850|title=Coronavirus spreads in Nagorno-Karabakh amid heavy fighting|date=2020-10-21|website=apnews.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-thrives-in-karabakh-s-bomb-shelters-1.5159270|title=Coronavirus thrives in Karabakh's bomb shelters|date=2020-10-24|website=ctvnews.ca|publisher=CTV News}}</ref> | |||
Armenian authorities reported the deaths of 3,825 servicemen during the war,<!-- ♦♦♦ not used<ref name="ArmenianKIA1"/> ♦♦♦ --> while the Azerbaijani authorities stated that more than 5,000 Armenian servicemen were killed, and several times more were wounded as of 28 October 2020.<ref name="armenianlossesperazerbaijan">{{cite news |date=28 October 2020 |title=ВС Армении потеряли убитыми порядка 5 тыс. человек в ходе боевых действий в Карабахе – президент Азербайджана |language=ru |work=Interfax |url=http://interfax.az/view/817779 |access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> After the war, the former director of the Armenian National Security Service, ], had also stated that some 5,000 Armenians were killed during the war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2020 |title=Артур Ванецян: "Поражение Армении в войне – результат некомпетентного управления" |url=https://www.armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/265642/ |access-date=25 September 2020 |work=Armenian Report |language=ru}}</ref> Also, the Armenian authorities had stated that about 60 Armenian servicemen were captured by Azerbaijan as prisoners of war.<ref name="ARMPOW1" /> The former Head of the Military Control Service of the Armenian MoD, ], stated that already on the fifth day of war there were 1,500 deserters from Armenian armed forces, who were kept in Karabakh and not allowed to return to Armenia in order to prevent panic. The press secretary of Armenian prime minister called the accusations absurd and asked the law enforcement agencies to deal with them.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 November 2020 |title=Армения: генерал обвинил премьера Пашиняна в грубых ошибках в войне в Карабахе |agency=BBC News Русская служба |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-55005875 |access-date=3 January 2021}}</ref> Former military commissar of Armenia major-general Levon Stepanyan stated that the number of deserters in Armenian army was over 10,000, and it is not possible to prosecute such a large number of military personnel.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 November 2020 |title=Генерал призвал наказать дезертиров, бежавших с поля боя в Карабахе |agency=Красная Весна |url=https://rossaprimavera.ru/news/20e5f7a6 |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> During the post-war clashes, the Armenian government stated that 60 servicemen went missing,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2020 |title=Омбудсмен Арцаха: "В направлении села Хцаберд без вести пропало подразделение в составе 60 военнослужащих" |url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/268059/ |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=Armenian Report |language=ru}}</ref> including several dozen that were captured.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2020 |title=Президент Арцаха заявил о пленении Азербайджаном нескольких десятков армянских военнослужащих |url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/268050/ |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=Armenian Report |language=ru}}</ref> and On 27 October 2020, Artsakh authorities stated that its defence minister ] was wounded in action.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ghazanchyan |first=Siranush |date=27 October 2020 |title=Jalal Harutyunyan wounded, Mikael Arzumanyan appointed Artsakh Defense Minister |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/27/jalal-harutyunyan-wounded-mikael-arzumanyan-appointed-artsakh-defense-minister/ |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> However, unofficial Azerbaijani military sources alleged that he was killed and released footage apparently showing the assassination from a drone camera.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 October 2020 |title=Arutunyan belə məhv edilib – Video |url=https://teleqraf.com/news/ermenistan/266523.html |access-date=27 October 2020 |website=Teleqraf.com |language=az}}</ref> | |||
=== Casualties === | |||
==== Civilians ==== | |||
During the conflict, the government of Azerbaijan did not reveal the number of its military casualties.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2020 |title=Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict: Casualties mount in Nagorno-Karabakh battle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54338454 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005135938/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54338454 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> On 11 January, Azerbaijan stated that 2,853 of its soldiers had been killed during the war, while another 50 went missing.<ref name="azMoDlist" /> Also, Azerbaijani authorities stated that 11 more Azerbaijani servicemen were killed during the post-war clashes or landmine explosions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan discloses number of people killed in mine explosions |url=https://en.azvision.az/news/137035/azerbaijan-discloses-number-of-people-killed-in-mine-explosions.html |website=azvision.az|year=2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Azərbaycan MN: "4 hərbi qulluqçumuz öldürülüb" |newspaper=BBC News Azərbaycanca |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55285924}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author= |date=28 December 2020 |title=Azerbaijan says one serviceman killed in attack in Karabakh |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-int-idUSKBN2920GE}}</ref> On 23 October 2020, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, confirmed that ] who was made ] in 2016, was killed during the operations in ].<ref>{{cite web |date=23 October 2020 |title=Hero of Azerbaijan Shukur Hamidov Died |url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/10/free/politics%20news/en/129051.htm |access-date=26 October 2020 |agency=Turan Information Agency}}</ref> This was the first military casualty officially confirmed by the government. However, Armenian and Artsakh authorities have claimed 7,630 Azerbaijani soldiers and Syrian mercenaries were killed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ghazanchyan |first=Siranush |date=8 November 2020 |title=Azerbaijan's military death toll reaches 7,630 |website=armenpress.am |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/08/azerbaijans-military-death-toll-reaches-7630/ |access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 October 2020 |title=Artsakh's Defense Army publishes another list of casualties |newspaper=Armenpress |editor-last=Sirekanyan |editor-first=Tigran |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031389.html |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
According to Armenian sources, on 27 September 2020, two civilians were killed by Azerbaijani shelling in ], with approximately a dozen injured in Stepanakert;<ref name="panam">{{cite web |url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/285539/|title=Karabakh woman, child killed in Azerbaijan's shelling|publisher=PanArmenian|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2020-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004025152/https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/285539/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30860623.html|title=Միայն Ստեփանակերտում 10-ից ավելի վիրավոր կա, ներառյալ՝ երեխաներ ու կանայք. Արցախի ՄԻՊ|website=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2020-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929142757/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30860623.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Azerbaijani MoD denied the reports.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan Army does not shell civilians|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/azerbaijan-army-does-not-shell-civilians-32324.html|access-date=27 September 2020|website=mod.gov.az|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004151523/https://mod.gov.az/en/news/azerbaijan-army-does-not-shell-civilians-32324.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 10 October 2020, Armenian media reported the killing of two civilians in Hadrut, a mother and his son with a ], according to Armenia the killing was carried out by Azerbaijani infiltrators.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/10/azerbaijani-subversive-group-kills-mother-and-son-in-hadrut/|title=Azerbaijani subversive group kills mother and son in Hadrut|date=10 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031187/|title=Azerbaijanis kill civilians in their home in Artsakh amid ceasefire|date=10 October 2020}}</ref> By 4 November 2020, Armenian authorities reported 54 Armenian civilians were killed in the conflict.<ref name="armeniacividead"/> | |||
According to Azerbaijani sources, the Armenian military has targeted densely populated areas containing civilian structures.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=One more civil person killed as a result of shelling of residential settlements by Armenia|website=apa.az|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/One-more-civil-person-killed-as-a-result-of-shelling-of-residential-settlements-by-Armenia-331411|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> As of 9 November 2020, the ] stated that during the clashes, as a result of reported shelling by Armenian artillery and rocketing, 93 people had been killed, while 407 people had been wounded.<ref name="AzerCivs"/> | |||
The ] documented the death of at least 541 Syrian fighters or mercenaries fighting for Azerbaijan.<ref name="syriandead" /> On 14 November 2020, the Observatory reported the death of a commander of the ] ].<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2020 |title=Turkish-backed mercenaries {{!}} Nearly 800 Syrian fighters killed in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/192201/ |access-date=14 November 2020 |publisher=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights}}</ref> | |||
As of 23 October 2020, the Armenian authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced more than half of Nagorno-Karabakh's population or approximately 90,000 people.<ref name="riadisplaced"/> The ] has also claimted that more than half of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been displaced by the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rescue.org/article/crisis-watch-breaking-news-international-rescue-committee|title=Crisis Watch: Breaking news from the International Rescue Committee|date=2020-11-07|website=rescue.org|publisher=International Rescue Committee}}</ref> As of 2 November 2020, the Azerbaijani authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced approximately 40,000 people in Azerbaijan.<ref name="azerbaijandisplaced"/> | |||
=== Infrastructure damage === | |||
Seven journalists have been injured.<ref name=":12"/><ref name="anarshushali"/> On 1 October 2020, two French journalists from '']'' covering the clashes in ] were injured by Azerbaijani shellfire.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007002854/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/two-french-reporters-injured-amid-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict|date=2020-10-07}}", ''The Guardian'' 1 October 2020</ref> A week later, three Russian journalists reporting in ] were seriously injured by an Azerbaijani attack.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141032/https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1030925.html |date=2020-10-11}}" ArmenPress 8 October 2020</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/606904.html|title=Russia MFA: Russian reporters wounded in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone to be transported to Yerevan|publisher=Armenia News|date=10 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141035/https://news.am/eng/news/606904.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 October 2020, according to Azerbaijani sources, an Azerbaijani ] journalist received shrapnel wounds from Armenian shellfire in Aghdam District.<ref name="anarshushali">{{cite news |url=https://ria.ru/20201019/karabakh-1580506732.html|title=Азербайджан заявил о четырех пострадавших при обстреле Агдамского района|date=19 October 2020|access-date=19 October 2020|publisher=RIA Novosti |language=ru}}</ref> | |||
] ] in ] was ] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 October 2020 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of shelling Shusha cathedral |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54465172 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008144651/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54465172 |archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2020 |title=Armenia Azerbaijan: Reports of fresh shelling dent ceasefire hopes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54488386 |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ronzheimer |first1=Paul |author1-link=Paul Ronzheimer |last2=Moutafis |first2=Giorgos |date=9 October 2020 |title=Church bombed to ruins |language=de |publisher=Bild |url=https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201010083850/https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html |archive-date=10 October 2020}}</ref>]] | |||
] during a meeting with wounded Azerbaijani servicemen.]] | |||
] as a result of the ].<ref name="mammadov2">{{Cite web |date=29 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan reveals details of casualties, injuries in Tartar inflicted by Armenian troops |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3326082.html |access-date=11 December 2020 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 2021 |title=Azerbaijan discloses number of facilities destroyed in Terter by Armenian army |url=https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Azerbaijan-discloses-number-of-facilities-destroyed-in-Terter-by-Armenian-army.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210115033511/https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Azerbaijan-discloses-number-of-facilities-destroyed-in-Terter-by%C2%A0Armenian-army.html |archive-date=15 January 2021 |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=Vestnik Kavkaza}}</ref>]] | |||
==== Military ==== | |||
Civilian areas, including major cities, have been hit, including Azerbaijan's second-largest city, Ganja, and the region's capital, Stepanakert, with many buildings and homes destroyed.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 October 2020 |title=In pictures: Fighting rages in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54418901 |url-status=live |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005180202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54418901 |archive-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 October 2020 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54407436 |url-status=live |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004100202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54407436 |archive-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> The ] has also been damaged.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ronzheimer |first1=Paul |last2=Moutafis |first2=Giorgos |date=9 October 2020 |title=Church bombed to ruins |language=de |publisher=Bild |url=https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011101422/https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html |archive-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> Several outlets reported increased cases of ] in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly the city of Stepanakert, where the population was forced to live in overcrowded ]s, due to Azerbaijan artillery and drone strikes conflict.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Coronavirus spreads in Nagorno-Karabakh amid heavy fighting |url=https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-azerbaijan-armenia-europe-14f519a45ce899c2c7a52cba7c876850 |website=apnews.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=24 October 2020 |title=Coronavirus thrives in Karabakh's bomb shelters |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-thrives-in-karabakh-s-bomb-shelters-1.5159270 |website=ctvnews.ca |publisher=CTV News}}</ref> There were also reported difficulties in testing and contact tracing during the conflict.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
During the conflict, the government of Azerbaijan did not reveal the number of its military casualties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54338454|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict: Casualties mount in Nagorno-Karabakh battle|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=29 September 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005135938/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54338454|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 October 2020, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, confirmed that ] who was made ] in 2016, was killed during the operations in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/10/free/politics%20news/en/129051.htm |title=Hero of Azerbaijan Shukur Hamidov Died|date=23 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020|agency=Turan Information Agency}}</ref> This was the first military casualty officially confirmed by the government. However, Armenian and Artsakh authorities have claimed 7,630 Azerbaijani soldiers and Syrian mercenaries were killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/08/azerbaijans-military-death-toll-reaches-7630/|title=Azerbaijan's military death toll reaches 7,630|website=armenpress.am|access-date=8 November 2020|date=8 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031389.html|title=Artsakh's Defense Army publishes another list of casualties|newspaper=Armenpress|date=12 October 2020|access-date=12 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 October 2020, the Azerbaijani MoD denied an Armenian MoD reports of 200 deaths<ref>{{cite web|date=5 October 2020|title=Artsakh forces use tactical trick, forcing the enemy to flee, leaving 200 dead |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/05/artsakh-forces-use-tactical-trick-forcing-the-enemy-to-fee-leaving-200-dead/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Shelling of Azerbaijani frontline villages intensified|url=http://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/52356/|publisher=Caucasian Knot}}</ref> after the alleged defeat of an Azerbaijani unit.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Baku refutes report on heavy casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh battles|url=https://tass.com/armeniaazerbaij-conflict/1208927|access-date=6 October 2020|agency=TASS|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006040249/https://tass.com/armeniaazerbaij-conflict/1208927|url-status=live}}</ref> After the end of the war, the President of Azerbaijan stated housing would be provided for the families of 1,500 "martyrs" killed during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1101111994/Relatives-of-those-killed-in-the-Second-Karabakh-War-will-be-provided-with-apartments-and-houses-President-of-Azerbaijan|title=Relatives of those killed in the Second Karabakh War will be provided with apartments and houses - President of Azerbaijan|date=11 November 2020|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
The ] in ] ] as a result of shelling. On 19 October 2020, a strong fire broke out in a cotton plant in ], ], as a result of the Armenian artillery shelling, with several large hangars of the plant becoming completely burned down.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 October 2020 |title=В азербайджанском Тертере загорелся хлопковый завод после обстрелов |language=ru |publisher=RIA Novosti |url=https://ria.ru/20201019/pozhar-1580535542.html |access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> An Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ] report noted 5,800 private properties and 520 private vehicles destroyed, with damage to 960 items of civilian infrastructure, and industrial and public and objects.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2020 |title=Արցախում լրջորեն վնասվել է ավելի քան 5800 անշարժ գույք |url=https://yerkirmedia.am/hy/article/2020/10/11/23899/ |access-date=3 December 2020 |work=] |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120144244/https://yerkirmedia.am/hy/article/2020/10/11/23899/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 November 2020, the ] reported 3,410 private houses, 512 civilian facilities, and 120 multi-storey residential buildings being damaged throughout the war.<ref name="AzerCivs" /> | |||
The ] documented the death of at least 293 Syrian fighters or mercenaries fighting for Azerbaijan.<ref name="syriandead"/> On 14 November 2020, the Observatory reported the death of a commander of the ] ].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-14|title= Turkish-backed mercenaries {{!}} Nearly 800 Syrian fighters killed in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/192201/|access-date=2020-11-14|publisher=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights}}</ref> | |||
Artsakh authorities reported the deaths of 2,425 servicemen during the conflict,<ref name="armenianKIA"/> while the Azerbaijani authorities reported more than 2,300 Armenian servicemen were killed or wounded as of 30 September 2020.<ref name="armenianlossesperazerbaijan">{{cite news|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/up-to-2-300-enemy-soldiers-was-killed-32425.html|title=Up to 2,300 enemy soldiers were killed |website=mod.gov.az|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 October 2020, Artsakh authorities stated that its defense minister ] was wounded in action.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/27/jalal-harutyunyan-wounded-mikael-arzumanyan-appointed-artsakh-defense-minister/|title=Jalal Harutyunyan wounded, Mikael Arzumanyan appointed Artsakh Defense Minister|date=27 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> However, unofficial Azerbaijani military sources alleged that he was killed and released footage apparently showing the assassination from a drone camera.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teleqraf.com/news/ermenistan/266523.html|title=Arutunyan belə məhv edilib – Video|date=27 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020|language=az|website=Teleqraf.com}}</ref> | |||
=== Infrastructure damage === | |||
] ] in ] was ] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of shelling Shusha cathedral |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54465172|agency=BBC News|date=8 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/6BeN7|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54488386|title=Armenia Azerbaijan: Reports of fresh shelling dent ceasefire hopes|publisher=BBC News|date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ronzheimer|first1=Paul|last2=Moutafis|first2=Giorgos|title=Church bombed to ruins|url=https://m.bild.de/politik/international/bild-international/bild-reporter-at-armenian-frontline-church-bombed-to-ruins-73330690,view=amp.bildMobile.html|publisher=Bild|date=9 October 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/xwnWw|archive-date=9 October 2020|language=de}}</ref>]] | |||
The ] in ] ]. On 19 October 2020, strong fire broke out in a cotton plant in ], ], as a result of the Armenian artillery shelling, with several large hangars of the plant getting completely burned down.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ria.ru/20201019/pozhar-1580535542.html|title=В азербайджанском Тертере загорелся хлопковый завод после обстрелов|date=19 October 2020|access-date=19 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti}}</ref> An Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman report noted 5,800 private properties destroyed and 520 private vehicles, with damage to 960 items of civilian infrastructure, and industrial and public and objects. As of 24 October 2020, the ] reported 1,941 private houses, 382 civilian facilities, and 90 multi-storey residential buildings being damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f942ed3c4548e02bf3cc226%26%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%20%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%20%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8F%D1%85%262020-10-24T13%3A40%3A36.839Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:11a0851d-2d80-47ac-9754-d94447409e3e&pinned_post_asset_id=5f942ed3c4548e02bf3cc226&pinned_post_type=share|title=Азербайджан обновил данные об убитых мирных жителях|date=24 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|publisher=BBC Russian Service|url-status=live|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
=== Equipment losses === | === Equipment losses === | ||
By 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan reported to have destroyed about 250 tanks and other |
By 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan reported to have destroyed about 250 tanks and other armoured vehicles; 150 other military vehicles; 11 command and command-observation posts; 270 artillery units and ]s, including a ]; 60 Armenian anti-aircraft systems, including 4 S-300 and 25 ]s; 18 UAVs and 8 arms depots.<ref name="armenianlossesperazerbaijan" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Mikayıloğlu |first=Ramiz |date=29 September 2020 |title=Azerbaijan's MoD: Up to 200 tanks, 228 artillery cannons, 300 units of air defense systems of Armenia destroyed |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Azerbaijan's-MoD:-Up-to-200-tanks-228-artillery-cannons-300-units-of-air-defense-systems-of-Armenia-destroyed-331801 |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213252/https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Azerbaijan%27s-MoD%3A-Up-to-200-tanks-228-artillery-cannons-300-units-of-air-defense-systems-of-Armenia-destroyed-331801 |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijani MoD: List of the enemy's destroyed military equipment |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/en/frontline-news/Azerbaijani-MoD:-List-of-the-enemy's-destroyed-military-equipment-colorredLISTcolor-332284 |access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=9 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijani President announces list of destroyed and looted military equipment of Armenia |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijani-President-announces-list-of-destroyed-and-looted-military-equipment-of-Armenia-332516 |url-status=live |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011141826/https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijani-President-announces-list-of-destroyed-and-looted-military-equipment-of-Armenia-332516 |archive-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> destroyed. As of 16 October 2020, the Azerbaijani President stated that the Armenian losses were at US$2 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kazimoglu |first=Mirmahmud |date=16 October 2020 |title=Ilham Aliyev: Armenian army suffers damage of US$2 billion |agency=Report Information Agency |url=https://report.az/en/nagorno-karabakh-conflict/ilham-aliyev-armenian-army-suffers-damage-of-2-billion/ |access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref> In turn an Azerbaijani helicopter was stated to have been damaged, but its crew had apparently returned it to Azerbaijani-controlled territory without casualties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nəsibli |first=İsmayıl |date=27 September 2020 |title=Tərtərdə zədələnən döyüş helikopteri peşəkarlıqla öz ərazimizə endirilib |language=az |website=report.az |publisher=Report Information Agency |url=https://report.az/herbi-xeberler/terterde-zedelenen-doyus-helikopteri-pesekarliqla-oz-erazimize-endirilib/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213053/https://report.az/herbi-xeberler/terterde-zedelenen-doyus-helikopteri-pesekarliqla-oz-erazimize-endirilib/ |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Later it was reported that on 12 October 2020, Azerbaijan had destroyed one ] missile launcher. On 14 October 2020, Azerbaijan stated it had further destroyed five ] tanks, three ] rocket launchers, one 9K33 Osa missile system, one ] vehicle, one ] air defence gun, two ] howitzers and several Armenian army automobiles.<ref>{{cite web |last=Seidova |first=Kjamalja |date=14 October 2020 |title=Военная техника ВС Армении, уничтоженная сегодня ночью – СПИСОК |url=https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3316263.html |access-date=14 October 2020 |publisher=Trend News Agency |language=ru}}</ref> On the same day, Azerbaijan announced the destruction of three ] ] launchers that had been targeting ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |date=14 October 2020 |title=Yaşayış məntəqələrimizi hədəfə alan düşmən raketləri bölmələrimizin qabaqlayıcı zərbəsi ilə sıradan çıxarılıb |url=https://mod.gov.az/az/news/yasayis-menteqelerimizi-hedefe-alan-dusmen-raketleri-bolmelerimizin-qabaqlayici-zerbesi-ile-siradan-cixarilib-32975.html |access-date=14 October 2020 |publisher=Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan |language=az}}</ref> BBC reporters confirmed the destruction of at least one tactical ballistic missile launcher in the vicinity of ], close to the border with Azerbaijan, and posted photo evidence in support of this information.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barabanov |first=Il'ja |date=15 October 2020 |title=Где были ракетные комплексы Армении, которые разбомбил Азербайджан? Репортаж Би-би-си |agency=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-54550977 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> Later American journalist Josh Friedman posted a high quality video of a destroyed Armenian ballistic missile launcher.<ref>{{cite web |last=Friedman |first=Josh |title=Scud Missile Taken Out In Armenia Near Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fb_I9UPW4U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/6Fb_I9UPW4U |archive-date=28 October 2021 |access-date=21 November 2020 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
Armenian and Artsakh authorities initially reported the downing of four Azerbaijani helicopters and the destruction of ten tanks and ]s, as well as 15 drones.<ref |
Armenian and Artsakh authorities initially reported the downing of four Azerbaijani helicopters and the destruction of ten tanks and ]s, as well as 15 drones.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ոչնչացվել են հակառակորդի 4 ուղղաթիռ, շուրջ 15 ԱԹՍ, 10 տանկ և հետևակի մարտական մեքենա. ԼՂ ՊՆ |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30860621.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929175806/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30860621.html |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան|date=27 September 2020 |last1=ռ/կ |first1=Ազատություն }}</ref> Later the numbers were revised to 36 tanks and armoured personnel vehicles destroyed, two armoured combat engineering vehicles destroyed and four helicopters and 27 unmanned aerial vehicles downed all within the first day of hostilities.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 2020 |title=Armenia military top brass hold tactical consultation |work=ARMENPRESS |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029179.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002201953/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029179.html |archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> They released footage showing the ] or damage of five Azerbaijani tanks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |date=27 September 2020 |title=Tanks Ablaze As Azerbaijani Forces Attack Armenian Troops In Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/09/27/tanks-ablaze-as-azerbaijani-forces-attack-armenian-troops-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009181317/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/09/27/tanks-ablaze-as-azerbaijani-forces-attack-armenian-troops-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh/ |archive-date=9 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=Forbes}}</ref> Over the course of 2 October, the Artsakh Defence Army said they had destroyed 39 Azerbaijani military vehicles, including a ] tank; four ] fighter-bombers; three ] attack helicopters; and 17 UAVs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nazaryan |first=Robert |date=2 October 2020 |title=Իրավիճակի ամփոփում ժ. 18։00 դրությամբ. 02.10.2020թ. |trans-title=Situation summary h. As of 18:00. 02.10.2020 |url=https://razm.info/146648 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007231427/https://razm.info/146648 |archive-date=7 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020 |website=razm.info |language=hy}}</ref> | ||
According to Dutch warfare research group ], which documents visually confirmed losses on both sides, Armenia lost 255 tanks (destroyed: 146, damaged: 6, captured: 103), 78 armoured fighting vehicles (destroyed: 25, damaged: 1, captured: 52), and 737 trucks, vehicles and jeeps (destroyed: 331, damaged: 18, captured: 387), while Azerbaijan lost 62 tanks (destroyed: 38, damaged: 16, abandoned: 1, captured: 7, captured but later lost: 1), 23 armoured fighting vehicles (destroyed: 6, damaged: 3, abandoned: 7, captured: 9), 76 trucks, vehicles and jeeps (destroyed: 40, damaged: 22, abandoned: 8, captured: 6), as well 11 old ] aircraft, used as unmanned bait in order for Armenia to reveal the location of air defence systems. Oryx only counts destroyed vehicles and equipment of which photo or videographic evidence is available, and therefore, the actual number of equipment destroyed is higher.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Janovsky |first2=Jakub |date=September 27, 2020 |title=The Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh: Documenting Losses on The Sides Of Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/09/the-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh.html |access-date=21 November 2020 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
== Analysis == | |||
=== Nationalist sentiment === | |||
{{Further|Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan|Anti-Azerbaijani sentiment in Armenia}} | |||
While Armenians and Azerbaijanis lived side by side under Soviet rule, the collapse of the Soviet Union contributed to ] and fierce ], causing both Armenians and Azerbaijanis to ] each other, shaping respective sociopolitical discourses.<ref name=":8">{{cite web|last=Oskanian|first=Kevork|title=Perspectives {{!}} Stereotypes and hatred drive the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/perspectives-stereotypes-and-hatred-drive-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-11|website=eurasianet.org}}</ref> Before, during and after the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the growth of anti-Armenian and anti-Azerbaijan sentiment resulted in ethnic violence, including pogroms against Armenians in Azerbaijan, as in ] and ],<ref name="Cornell">{{cite book|last=Cornell|first=Svante|title=Azerbaijan Since Independence |publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2010|isbn=978-0765630032|page=48}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rferl.org: Nagorno-Karabakh: Timeline Of The Long Road To Peace |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1065626.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329025222/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1065626.html|archive-date=29 March 2014|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="rferl2">{{cite news|date=3 February 2003|title=Newsline|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1142847.html|url-status=live |access-date=31 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122039/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1142847.html|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=17 June 2013 |title=The South Caucasus Between The EU and the Eurasian Union|url=http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210003/http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=3 July 2013|work=Caucasus Analytical Digest #51–52 |publisher=Forschungsstelle Osteuropa, Bremen and Center for Security Studies, Zürich|page=21|issn=1867-9323}}</ref> and against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as at ] and ].<ref name="nytgugark">{{cite web|last=Barringer|first=Felicity|date=7 December 1988|title=3 More Killed in Soviet Ethnic Protest |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/07/world/3-more-killed-in-soviet-ethnic-protest.html|access-date=5 November 2020|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="bbcpogrom">{{cite web|date=August 29, 2005|title=Карабах: хронология конфликт|trans-title=Karabakh: Chronology of the conflict|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm|archive-url=http://archive.is/N7Cn|archive-date=July 11, 2012|access-date=5 November 2020|work=BBC Russian Service|publisher=BBC|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="trud">{{cite web|last=Khlystun|first=Victor|date=1 February 2001|title=10 БАЛЛОВ ПО ШКАЛЕ ПОЛИТБЮРО|trans-title=10 POINTS ON THE POLITBURO SCALE|url=https://www.trud.ru/article/01-02-2001/18874_10_ballov_po_shkale_politbjuro.html|access-date=5 November 2020|newspaper=Trud|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="kavkazpogrom">{{cite journal|last=Papyan|first=Mane |date=22 April 2015|title=Gugark after Sumgait|url=https://caucasusedition.net/gugark-after-sumgait/|journal=Caucasus Edition|language=ru|archive-url=https://archive.is/w4M0c|archive-date=5 November 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref> The incitement of hatred and promotion of hate speech is one of the main obstacles to creating the necessary conditions for a peace process.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 April 2017|title=Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination examines the report of Armenia |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21550&LangID=E|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007070421/http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21550&LangID=E|archive-date=7 October 2017|website=ohchr.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-10-14|title=Karabakh war leaves civilians shell-shocked and bitter|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54522278|access-date=2020-10-14}}</ref>{{verification needed|date=November 2020}} | |||
=== Azerbaijani aims === | |||
], which has less mountainous terrain compared to the region's northern and central territories.]] | |||
In a 27 September 2020 interview, regional expert ] said that it was highly unlikely that hostilities were initiated by the Armenian side, as they were already in possession of the disputed territory and were incentivized to normalize the ], while "for various reasons, Azerbaijan calculate that military action w win it something".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ahvalnews.com/azerbaijan-armenia/armenia-lacks-incentives-launch-military-action-now-azerbaijan-moved-first|title=Armenia lacks incentives to launch military action now, Azerbaijan moved in first |first1=Thomas|last1=de Waal|publisher=Ahval News|date=27 September 2020}}</ref> An analyst cited by '']'' magazine predicted that Azerbaijan would have great difficulty in trying to control the entire area of Nagorno-Karabakh due to the extremely inaccessible mountainous terrain controlled by Armenian troops. In addition, he opined that the readiness of the Azerbaijani army was poor, with morale low, its structure corrupt and inefficient, and a desertion rate as high as 20%. Furthermore, despite large investments in the purchase of military equipment from oil profits, the Azerbaijani army was said to lack adequate training for the use of new equipment.<ref name="fp_280920"/> The suspected immediate goal of the Azerbaijani offensive was to capture the districts of ] and ] in southern Nagorno-Karabakh, where the terrain is less mountainous and more favorable for offensive operations.<ref name="eurasianet_290920"/> According to Russian military expert Mikhail Khodarenok, Azerbaijan had carefully planned and prepared the offensive operation; however, he added that the Azerbaijani army did not appear to complete its initial objectives during the first five days of the clashes, taking neither Fuzuli nor ].<ref name="eadaily_021020">{{cite web|date=2 October 2020|title='Забуксовала, заглохла': эксперт о военной операции Азербайджана в Карабахе |url=https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/10/02/zabuksovala-zaglohla-ekspert-o-voennoy-operacii-azerbaydzhana-v-karabahe|publisher=EurAsia Daily|language=ru|quote=Азербайджанская армия не выполнила за 5 дней ни одной задачи первого дня. Михаил Ходарёнок}}</ref> Similarly, political scientist Arkady Dubnov of the ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Аркадий Дубнов |url=https://carnegie.ru/commentary/experts/1113|access-date=2020-10-08|publisher=Carnegie Moscow Center|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Аркадий Дубнов|url=https://globalaffairs.ru/authors/arkadij-dubnov/|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Россия в глобальной политике|language=ru}}</ref> believed that Azerbaijan had launched the offensive to improve Azerbaijan's position in a suitable season for hostilities in the terrain.<ref>{{cite web|last=Аркадий|first=Дубнов|title=Карабах: вулкан проснулся — Аркадий Дубнов — В круге СВЕТА — Эхо Москвы, 29.09.2020|url=https://echo.msk.ru/programs/sorokina/2716421-echo/|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
=== Turkey and Russia === | |||
{{See also|Russia–Turkey proxy conflict}} | |||
The ] interests of Russia and Turkey in the region were widely commented upon during the war. Both were described as benefiting from the ceasefire agreement, with ''The Economist'' stating that for Russia, China and Turkey, "all sides stand to benefit economically".<ref name="economist-bloody">{{cite news |title=A peace deal ends a bloody war over Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/11/14/a-peace-deal-ends-a-bloody-war-over-nagorno-karabakh |accessdate=18 November 2020 |work=The Economist |date=14 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
====Turkey==== | |||
Azerbaijan and Turkey are bound by ethnic, cultural and historic ties, and both countries refer to ] as being one between "two states, one nation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/turkey-territorial-disputes-azerbaijan-ankara-armenia-9a95d9690569623adedffe8c16f3588d |first=Suzan|last=Fraser|title=AP Explains: What lies behind Turkish support for Azerbaijan|date=20 October 2020|access-date=20 October 2020|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Turkey (then the ]) helped Azerbaijan, previously part of the ] ] in 1918, and became the first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence from the ] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chinara|last=Musayeva|url=https://tasam.org/Files/Icerik/File/history_of_azerbaijan_-_turkey_relations_e78c28df-19cc-4d90-b290-b5bb571bc6d8.pdf|title=History of Azerbaijan – Turkey Relations|publisher=Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies}}</ref> Turkey has also been the guarantor of the ], an exclave of Azerbaijan, since 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-building-up-forces-in-nakhchivan |first=Zaur|last=Shiriyev|title=Azerbaijan Building Up Forces in Nakhchivan|date=10 August 2017|access-date=20 October 2020|publisher=Eurasianet}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Laçin İdil|last=Öztığ |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/559558#:~:text=T%C3%BCrkiye%2C%201921%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1nda%20imzalanan%20Moskova,d%C4%B1%C5%9F%20politika%20krizi%20ortaya%20%C3%A7%C4%B1km%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1r|title=TÜRKİYE VE ERMENİSTAN İLİŞKİLERİNDE NAHÇIVAN SORUNU|date=26 January 2018|access-date=20 October 2020|journal=Journal Of Modern Turkish History Studies|via=DergiPark|language=tr|volume=36|pages=413–430}}</ref> Other commentators have seen Turkey's support for Azerbaijan as part of an activist foreign policy, linking it with ] policies in ], ], and the Eastern Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ulgen |first1=Sinan |title=A Weak Economy Won’t Stop Turkey’s Activist Foreign Policy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/06/a-weak-economy-wont-stop-turkeys-activist-foreign-policy/ |accessdate=15 November 2020 |work=Foreign Policy |date=6 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19436149.2018.1549232?src=recsys&journalCode=ccri20|doi=10.1080/19436149.2018.1549232|title=Imperial Grandeur and Selective Memory: Re-assessing Neo-Ottomanism in Turkish Foreign and Domestic Politics|year=2019|last1=Wastnidge|first1=Edward|journal=Middle East Critique|volume=28|pages=7–28|s2cid=149534930}}</ref> Turkey's highly visible role in the conflict was described by Armenians as a continuation of the ], the mass murder and expulsion of 1.5 million Armenians by the ], particularly given Turkey's ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia says Turkey seeks to continue genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-pashinyan-idUSKBN26S0OS|agency=Reuters|date=7 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey actions amount to "terroristic attack", continuation of genocide: Armenian PM|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/10/07/Turkey-actions-amount-to-terroristic-attack-continuation-of-genocide-Armenian-PM |publisher=Al Arabiya|date=7 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="Defend our nation": Armenian diaspora feels pull of another war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/03/armenian-diaspora-feels-pull-of-another-war-kardashian-azerbaijan|publisher=The Guardian|date=3 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia's Prime Minister Accuses Turkey of 'Reinstating the Ottoman Empire' in Sending Mercenaries to Nagorno Karabakh|url=https://time.com/5896422/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-2020/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=time.com}}</ref> Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan, including military experts and Syrian mercenaries.<ref name="economist-bloody" /> The access corridor stipulated by the ceasefire agreement, linking Nakhchivan and the main part of Azerbaijan through Armenia, would provide Turkey with trade access to ] and China's ].<ref name="economist-bloody" /> | |||
====Russia==== | |||
Russia had sought to maintain good ] and had sold weapons to both parties. Even prior to the war, Russia had possessed a ] as part of a ], and thus was obligated by treaty to defend Armenia in the case of a war. Like in Syria and in Libya's ongoing civil war, Russia and NATO-member Turkey therefore had opposing interests.<ref name=":16">{{cite web|title=Why The Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Could Spiral Into A Larger Regional Conflict|url=https://time.com/5894934/armenia-azerbaijan-fighting-regional-conflict/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=time.com}}</ref> Turkey appeared to use the conflict to attempt to leverage its influence in the South Caucasus along its eastern border, using both military and diplomatic resources to extend its sphere of influence in the Middle East, and to marginalize the influence of Russia, another ].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-29|title=Is Turkey a brother in arms or just extending its footprint into Nagorno-Karabakh?|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200929-is-turkey-a-brother-in-arms-or-just-extending-its-footprint-into-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-10-04|publisher=France 24}}</ref><ref name="nyt_011020">{{cite news |last=Gall|first=Carlotta|date=2020-10-01|title=Turkey Jumps Into Another Foreign Conflict, This Time in the Caucasus|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/world/middleeast/turkey-azerbaijan-armenia-war.html|access-date=2020-10-04|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Russia had historically pursued a policy of maintaining neutrality in the conflict, and Armenia never formally requested aid.<ref name="russiamatters01"/> According to the director of the Russia studies program at the ], at the beginning of the war Russia was judged to be unlikely to intervene militarily unless Armenia incurred drastic losses.<ref name="russiamatters01"/> However, the 14 October 2020 Azerbaijani strike within Armenian territory threatened to bring the mutual defense pact to the fore.<ref name=":14">{{cite news|date=2020-10-14 |title=Azerbaijan Attack on Armenia Raises Stakes in Karabakh Conflict|publisher=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-14/azerbaijan-attack-on-armenia-raises-stakes-in-karabakh-conflict|access-date=2020-10-15}}</ref> | |||
In a piece published by the Russian broadsheet '']'' on 10 November, Konstantin Makienko, a member of the ] Defence Committee, wrote that the geopolitical consequences of the war were "catastrophic" not only for Armenia but for Russia as well, because Moscow's influence in the Southern Caucasus had dwindled while "the prestige of a successful and feisty Turkey, contrariwise, ha increased immensely".<ref name="vedomostimakienko">{{cite newspaper|author=Konstantin Makienko|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/opinion/articles/2020/11/10/846462-rossiya-proigrala|title=Как Россия проиграла во второй карабахской войне |newspaper=Vedomosti|language=ru|date=10 November 2020}}</ref> Alexander Gabuev of the ] took the opposite view, describing the peace agreement as "a win for Russia", as it had "prevented the conclusive defeat of Nagorno-Karabakh" and, by placing Russia in charge of the strategic Lachin corridor, boosted the country's leverage in the region.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gabuev |first1=Alexander |title=Viewpoint: Russia and Turkey - unlikely victors of Karabakh conflict |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54903869 |accessdate=18 November 2020 |work=BBC News |agency=Carnegie Moscow Center |date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
=== Military tactics === | |||
Azerbaijan's oil wealth allowed it to have a consistently higher ] than Armenia,<ref name="economist-bloody" /> and it had purchased advanced weapons systems from Israel, Russia and Turkey.<ref name=":6" /> Despite the similar size of both militaries, Azerbaijan possessed superior tanks, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles,<ref name=":12"/> and had also amassed a large fleet of cheap Turkish drones and state-of-the-art Israeli ones. Armenia built its own drones, but these were greatly inferior to the Israeli drones possessed by Azerbaijan.<ref name=":12"/> Azerbaijan had a quantitative advantage in artillery systems, particularly ]s and long-range ]s, while Armenia had a minor advantage in tactical ballistic missiles.<ref name=warontherocks/> Because of the air defence systems possessed by both sides, there was little use of manned aviation during the conflict.<ref name=":12"/> | |||
In the opinion voiced by Russian military expert Vladimir Yevseev after the end of the war, for reasons that were not completely clear, Armenia appeared not to have executed the mobilisation it had announced and the mobilised personnel was hardly ever deployed to the area of conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/30956980.html |title="РФ могла оказывать поддержку только с территории Ирана" |date=18 November 2020|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
==== Drone warfare ==== | |||
] (green) is one of several pipelines running from Baku.]] | |||
Azerbaijan made highly effective use of drones and sensors, demonstrating what ''The Economist'' described as a "new, more affordable type of air power".<ref name=":6"/> Azerbaijani drones, notably the ], were used to carry out precise ] and carry out ], relaying the coordinates of targets to Azerbaijani artillery.<ref name=":2"/> Commentators noted that the use of drones in Nagorno-Karabakh illustrated how they enabled small countries to conduct effective air campaigns, potentially making ] much more deadly.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roblin|first1=Sébastien|title=How an explosion of cheap armed drones is changing the nature of warfare|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/cheap-drones-china-turkey-israel-are-fueling-conflicts-armenia-azerbaijan-ncna1243246|website=NBC News}}</ref> ] was provided by specialized suicide drones, such as ], rendering tanks vulnerable and suggesting changes are required to armored warfare doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parakilas|first=Jacob|title=Tanks versus Drones Isn't Rock, Paper, Scissors|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/tanks-vs-drones-isnt-rock-paper-scissors/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> Another suicide drone, the Turkish-made ], was also reportedly used by Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenceturk.net/stmnin-yerli-kamikaze-ihasi-kargu-azerbaycanda-goruldu|title=STM'nin yerli kamikaze İHA'sı KARGU Azerbaycan'da görüldü|date=29 October 2020 |language=tr}}</ref><ref name="cnnturk">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnturk.com/dunya/ilk-kez-libyada-kullanilmisti-bu-kez-azerbaycanda-goruntulendi|title=İlk kez Libya'da kullanılmıştı! Bu kez Azerbaycan'da görüntülendi|date=28 September 2020|language=tr|publisher=CNN Türk}}</ref> | |||
==== Targeting of pipelines ==== | |||
Concerns were raised about the security of the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses threat to regional energy corridor |url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-poses-threat-to-regional-energy-corridor|publisher=Eurasianet|date=9 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BP "deeply concerned" as pipeline attack raises stakes in Azerbaijan conflict|url=https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/100720-bp-deeply-concerned-as-pipeline-attack-raises-stakes-in-azerbaijan-conflict |publisher=S&P Global|date=7 October 2020}}</ref> Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia targeted, or tried to target, the ], which accounted for around 80% of country's oil exports, and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Armenia-tries-to-target-Baku-Novorossiysk-pipeline-leading-to-Russia.html|title=Armenia tries to target Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline leading to Russia|date=19 October 2020|website=vestnikkavkaza.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Armenia reportedly attacks Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/armenia-reportedly-attacks-baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-pipeline/1998053|publisher=Anadolu Agency|date=6 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan warns over pipelines as Nagorno-Karabakh tensions rise |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/azerbaijan/news/azerbaijan-warns-over-pipelines-as-nagorno-karabakh-tensions-rise/|publisher=EURACTIV|date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Armenia rejected the accusations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan Says Pipeline Targeted In Fighting; Armenia Rejects Accusation|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-says-pipeline-targeted-in-fighting-armenia-rejects-accusation/30879737.html |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=7 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
==== Use of propaganda ==== | |||
] have been displaying footage released by the Armenian Ministry of Defence since the beginning of the conflict.]] | |||
{{See also|State-sponsored Internet propaganda}} | |||
Both sides have engaged in extensive ] campaigns through the use of official mainstream and social media accounts magnified online,<ref name=":9"/> including in Russian media. The ability of drones to record their kills has enabled a highly effective Azerbaijani propaganda campaign.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":6"/> In Baku, digital billboards have broadcast high-resolution footage of missiles striking Armenian soldiers, tanks, and other materiel. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev told Turkish television that Azerbaijani-operated drones had reduced the number of Azerbaijan's casualties, stating, "These drones show Turkey's strength" and "empowers" Azerbaijanis.<ref name=":12">{{cite web|last=Forestier-Walker|first=Robin|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: New weapons for an old conflict spell danger |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/13/nagorno-karabakh-new-weapons-for-an-old-conflict-spell-danger|access-date=2020-10-15|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> | |||
==== Cyberwarfare ==== | |||
Hackers from Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as their allied countries have actively participated in ], with Azerbaijani hackers targeting Armenian websites and posting Aliyev's statements,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/azerbaijani-hackers-broke-into-over-90-armenian-websites-video/|title=Azerbaijani hackers broke into over 90 armenian websites – VIDEO|website=azerbaycan24.com |date=27 September 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> and Greek hackers targeting Azerbaijani governmental websites.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://artsakh.news/en/news/190391|title=Greek hackers from Anonymous Greece hacked 159 state websites of Azerbaijan|website=artsakhnews|date=23 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> There has been coordinated efforts from both sides on social media regarding postings of content. ] and videos of older events have been shared as new and different events related to the war. New social media account creation that post about Armenia and Azerbaijan has spiked, with many from authentic users, but many inauthentic accounts have also been detected.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Giles|first1=Christopher|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: The Armenian-Azeri "information wars" |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54614392|publisher=BBC|access-date=October 27, 2020|date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fighting Over Nagorno-Karabakh Spells Spike For Twitter And Its Hashtag Narratives|url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/nagorno-karabakh-figiting-spike-twitter-hashtag-narratives-armenia-azerbaijan/30894315.html|publisher=Gandhara|access-date=October 27, 2020|date=October 15, 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Suspected war crimes == | == Suspected war crimes == | ||
{{Main|War crimes in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | |||
] ] stated that "indiscriminate attacks on populated areas anywhere, including in ], ] and other localities in and around the immediate Nagorno-Karabakh zone of conflict, were totally unacceptable".<ref name="United Nations">{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1075672|title=Both sides obliged to 'spare and protect civilians' over Nagorno-Karabakh fighting declares UN's Guterres|date=18 October 2020|access-date=19 October 2020|publisher=United Nations}}</ref> | |||
] ] stated that "]s on populated areas anywhere, including in ], ] and other localities in and around the immediate Nagorno-Karabakh zone of conflict, were totally unacceptable".<ref>{{cite web |date=18 October 2020 |title=Both sides obliged to 'spare and protect civilians' over Nagorno-Karabakh fighting declares UN's Guterres |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1075672 |access-date=19 October 2020 |publisher=United Nations}}</ref> ] stated that both Azerbaijani and Armenian forces committed war crimes during recent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, and called on Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to immediately conduct independent, impartial investigations, identify all those responsible, and bring them to justice.<ref name="amnestybehead">{{cite web |date=10 December 2020 |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Decapitation and war crimes in gruesome videos must be urgently investigated |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/12/armenia-azerbaijan-decapitation-and-war-crimes-in-gruesome-videos-must-be-urgently-investigated/ |website=amnesty.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="guardianwarcrimes">{{cite web |author=Roth |first=Andrew |date=10 December 2020 |title=Human rights groups detail 'war crimes' in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/human-rights-groups-detail-war-crimes-in-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=11 December 2020 |website=]}}</ref> Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights recognized that violent conflict affected all sides in the conflict but distinguished "the collateral damage of Azerbaijanis" from "the policy of atrocities such as mutilations and beheadings committed by Azerbaijani forces and their proxies in ]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atrocities Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) {{!}} Institute for the Study of Human Rights |url=https://www.humanrightscolumbia.org/peace-building/atrocities-artsakh-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=www.humanrightscolumbia.org}}</ref> Azerbaijan started an investigation on war crimes by Azerbaijani servicemen in November<ref name="azeinvestigate">{{Cite web |date=23 November 2020 |title=Erməni əsirlərin cəsədlərilə qəddar rəftarı göstərən videolarla bağlı Azərbaycanda cinayət işi açılıb |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55044791 |access-date=27 November 2020 |work=BBC Azerbaijani Service |language=az}}</ref> and as of 14 December, has arrested four of its servicemen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=Azerbaijan arrests soldiers suspected of war crimes |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/14/azerbaijan-arrests-soldiers-suspected-of-war-crimes |access-date=14 December 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
== Aftermath == | |||
=== Armenia === | |||
] | |||
{{See also|2020–2021 Armenian protests|2021 Armenian political crisis|Armenian prisoners of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | |||
Armenia struck several Azerbaijani cities outside of the conflict zone, most frequently ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Azerbaijan accuses Armenian forces of shelling the towns of Tartar, Barda and Beylagan|url=https://www.france24.com/en/video/20201006-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-azerbaijan-accuses-armenian-forces-of-shelling-the-towns-of-tartar-barda-and-beylagan|website=france24.com|publisher=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Julia Hahn|date=26 October 2020|title=Civilians suffer amid Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|url=https://www.dw.com/en/civilians-suffer-amid-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/a-55403694|website=dw.com|publisher=DW News}}</ref> Azerbaijani authorities reported attacks on Beylagan on 4 October, killing two civilians and injuring 2 others,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two civilians killed in Armenian forces’ shelling, Azerbaijan says|url=https://tass.com/world/1208343|access-date=2020-11-19|website=TASS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Safi|first=Michael|last2=agencies|date=2020-10-05|title=Azerbaijan and Armenia accuse each other of shelling cities|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/05/azerbaijan-and-armenia-accuse-each-other-of-shelling-cities|access-date=2020-11-19|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ] on 10 October, seriously injuring a medical worker,<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-11|title=Shelling of civilians by Armenian armed forces after humanitarian ceasefire agreement - another clear example of barbarism, Azerbaijani MFA says|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3314663.html|access-date=2020-11-12|website=trend.az}}</ref> Tartar on 15 October, targeting a cemetery in the city resulting in three civilian deaths and at least five civilian injuries<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: ‘Three dead’ in attack at Azerbaijan cemetery|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/15/nagorno-karabakh-three-dead-in-attack-at-azerbaijan-cemetery|access-date=2020-11-19|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> and ] on 20 October, resulting in one civilian death and six injuries.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 September 2020|title=Armenian side continues to shell Fuzuli, Tartar districts|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3308468.html|access-date=23 October 2020|agency=Trend News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=9 October 2020|title=Prosecutor General's Office: Three civilians injured as a result of enemy's shelling of Garabagh village, Fuzuli district|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Prosecutor_General_039s_Office_Three_civilians_injured_as_a_result_of_enemys_shelling_of_Garabagh_village_Fuzuli_district-1608539|access-date=23 October 2020|agency=Azerbaijan State News Agency}}</ref> By 24 October, there had been more than 80 civilian deaths in areas of Azerbaijan outside of the war zone.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 October 2020|title=Война в Карабахе: хроника событий с 27 сентября по 25 октября|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f942ed3c4548e02bf3cc226%26%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%20%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%20%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8F%D1%85%262020-10-24T13%3A40%3A36.839Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:11a0851d-2d80-47ac-9754-d94447409e3e&pinned_post_asset_id=5f942ed3c4548e02bf3cc226&pinned_post_type=share|website=bbc.com|publisher=BBC Russian Service|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
] in ] against the terms of a cease-fire agreement on 18 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Demourian |first=Avet |date=12 November 2020 |title=Armenians protest Nagorno-Karabakh truce terms for a 3rd day |url=https://apnews.com/article/international-news-moscow-baku-azerbaijan-armenia-410dadd6d55cd10540e881524e359b59 |website=apnews.com |publisher=]}}</ref>]] | |||
Shortly after the news about the ] broke in the early hours of 10 November ] erupted in ] against ], claiming he was a "traitor" for having accepted the peace deal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=10 November 2020|title=Facing Military Debacle, Armenia Accepts a Deal in Nagorno-Karabakh War|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/armenia-settlement-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan.html|access-date=10 November 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Protesters also seized the parliament building by breaking a metal door, and pulled the ] ] from a car and beat him.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 November 2020|title=Протестующие в Ереване избили спикера парламента Армении|url=https://ria.ru/20201110/armeniya-1583852881.html|access-date=11 November 2020|website=РИА Новости|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Demonstrators seized the building of the Armenian parliament|url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/736343|access-date=11 November 2020|website=interfax.ru|language=ru}}</ref> Throughout November, numerous Armenian officials resigned from their posts, including the Armenian minister of foreign affairs, ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/11/16/Armenia-s-foreign-minister-resigns-week-after-ceasefire-deal-with-Azerbaijan|title=Armenia's foreign minister resigns week after ceasefire deal with Azerbaijan|work=]|date=16 November 2020|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref> the minister of defence, ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/20/armenian-defence-minister-tenders-resignation-says-aravot-daily|title=Armenian defence minister tenders resignation: Report|work=]|date=20 November 2020|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref> head of the same ministry's military control service, ],<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |editor-last=Harutyunyan |editor-first=Aneta |title=Head of Armenian defense ministry's military control service resigns |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1035242/ |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=]}}</ref> and the spokesman of Armenia's Defense Ministry, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.az/news/official-representative-of-armenias-defense-ministry-resigns|title=Official representative of Armenia's Defense Ministry resigns|date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
Between 4 and 17 October, four separate ] killed 26 civilians, including a 13-year-old Russian citizen,<ref>{{cite news |title=Russian teenager dies in missile attack on Ganja |url=https://news.ru/en/cis-countries/russian-citizen-dies-in-missile-attack-on-ganja/ |accessdate=17 November 2020 |work=] |date=24 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and injured 125<ref>{{cite news|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54407436|work=BBC News|date=4 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijan's No. 2 city targeted in fighting with Armenia|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/azerbaijans-no-2-city-targeted-fighting-armenia-azerbaijan-armenia-nagornokarabakh-territory-city-b778901.html|publisher=The Independent|date=4 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jamie|last=Dettmer|url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/why-azerbaijan-fighting|title=Why is Azerbaijan Fighting?|date=12 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=Voice of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Melimopoulos|first2=Linah|last2=Alsaafin |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/11/seven-dead-by-overnight-armenian-shelling-baku-says-live|title=Nagorno-Karabakh truce frays as both sides allege attacks|date=11 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> with women and children among the victims.<ref name="2attackwounded">{{Cite web|last1=Melimopoulos|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Alsaafin|first2=Linah|date=11 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh truce frays as both sides allege attacks: Live|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/11/seven-dead-by-overnight-armenian-shelling-baku-says-live|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=]|language=en}}</ref> The attacks were condemned by the ],<ref>{{cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the strikes on the city of Ganja|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/87141/Azerbaijan:%20Statement%20by%20the%20Spokesperson%20on%20the%20strikes%20on%20the%20city%20of%20Ganja|access-date=20 October 2020 |publisher=European External Action Service}}</ref> and Azerbaijani authorities accused the Armenian Armed Forces of "committing war crimes through the firing of ballistic missiles at civilian settlements", calling the third attack "an act of genocide".<ref name="genocide">{{cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=Armenian policy of vandalism against Azerbaijani civilian population continues – assistant to Azerbaijani president|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3314618.html|access-date=15 October 2020|agency=Trend News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Prosecutor-General's-Office-and-MFA-issue-statement-on-crimes-committed-against-civilians-by-Armenians-331515|title=Prosecutor General's Office and MFA issue statement on crimes committed against civilians, by Armenians|website=apa.az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=Azerbaijani President: Armenia losing the battle commits war crimes against civilians in order to stop us|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijani-President:-Armenia-losing-the-battle-commits-war-crimes-against-civilians-in-order-to-stop-us-332429|url-status=live|access-date=8 October 2020|website=apa.az|quote=... violence against civilians, the shelling of settlements and the destruction of peaceful cities with ballistic missiles is considered a war crime.}}</ref> Armenia denied responsibility for the attacks.<ref name="auto32">{{cite web|last1=Sullivan|first1=Rory|last2=Isaac|first2=Lindsay|date=11 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan and Armenia accuse each other of breaking ceasefire|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/10/europe/azerbaijan-armenia-ceasefire-intl/index.html|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 October 2020|title=Армения заявила, что не ведет обстрел населенных пунктов Азербайджана|url=https://ria.ru/20201004/karabakh-1578171671.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004082433/https://ria.ru/20201004/karabakh-1578171671.html|archive-date=4 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|publisher=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref> The Artsakh Defence Army confirmed responsibility for the first attack but denied targeting residential areas, claiming that it had fired at a military airbase.<ref name="artsakh1attack">{{cite web|last=McKernan|first=Bethan|date=5 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of rocket attack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-accuses-armenia-of-rocket-attack|access-date=15 October 2020|publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
After the ceasefire agreement was signed, President ] held a meeting with ], where they both made a call to declare 22 November as the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes who fell for the Defense of the Motherland in the Artsakh Liberation War.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghazanchyan |first=Siranush |date=November 13, 2020 |title=November 22 declared a Day of Remembrance of fallen soldiers |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/13/president-catholicos-call-to-declare-november-22-as-day-of-remembrance-of-fallen-soldiers/ |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> On 16 November, he declared that snap parliamentary elections and Pashinyan's resignation were inevitable, proposing that a process be overseen and managed by an interim "National Accord Government".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asbarez.com/198526/governments-resignation-and-snap-elections-are-inevitable-says-president/|title=Government's Resignation and Snap Elections are Inevitable, Says President|work=Asbarez|date=16 November 2020|access-date=22 December 2020}}</ref> | |||
On 25 October, a video emerged online of an Armenian teenager in civilian clothing helping soldiers fire artillery on Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan subsequently accused Armenia of using ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/armenia-uses-child-soldiers-in-occupied-nagorno-karabakh-commits-war-crimes-azerbaijan |title=Armenia uses child soldiers in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, commits war crimes: Azerbaijan|date=25 October 2020|website=dailysabah.com|publisher=Daily Sabah}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_karabakh/Azerbaijani-MFA-releases-statement-on-Armenias-using-children-as-soldiers-in-the-occupied-territories-334007|title=Azerbaijani MFA releases statement on Armenia's using children as soldiers in the occupied territories|date=27 October 2020|website=apa.az}}</ref> One day later, the Artsakh ombudsman released a statement claiming that the boy in the video was 16, was not directly engaged in military actions and was working with his father.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=ArtsakhOmbuds|number=1320795565664407559|date=26 October 2020|title=About some speculated photos of children}}</ref> | |||
On 10 December, the Armenian media reported that an Azerbaijani citizen was detained at night near ] in ]. It was reported that an Azerbaijani civilian was observed in Berdavan between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning. The executive head of Berdavan, Smbat Mugdesyan, said that the ] had taken him away and that he did not know other details. According to the Armenian media, a criminal case was opened against the detained citizen on suspicion of illegally crossing to the ]. The name of the detained Azerbaijani was not disclosed. According to the ''BBC Azerbaijani Service'', Azerbaijan's ], ] and ] Ministries said they had no information about the incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55270879|title=Bu günün xəbərləri: Ermənistanda "Azərbaycan vətəndaşı saxlanılıb", hərbi vəziyyət ləğv edilir, Azərbaycan Türkiyədən avtobus alır|date=11 December 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> | |||
The Artsakh Defence Army ] twice on 27 and 28 October 2020, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians and injuring over 83, making it the deadliest attack of the conflict.<ref name="NYTimesBarda">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/world/europe/azerbaijan-barda-armenia-rockets-karabakh.html|title=In Azerbaijan, a String of Explosions, Screams and Then Blood|author=Carlotta Gall|date=28 October 2020|website=nytimes.com|publisher=The New York Times|quote=In all, 21 people died in downtown Barda in the rocket strike and 70 people were wounded, the government said in the evening, adding that the rockets were fired from a Russian-made Smerch multiple-rocket system and unleashed cluster bomblets. Designed to be used against armies in open spaces, cluster bombs are banned in much of the world because of their danger to civilians in residential areas.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/azerbaijan-says-19-killed-60-wounded-in-armenia-missile-attack-on-its-barda-district/articleshow/78912279.cms?from=mdr|title=Azerbaijan says 19 killed, 60 wounded in Armenia missile attack on its Barda district|date=28 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-28|title=Civilian death toll in Armenian attacks reaches 91|url=https://www.azernews.az/aggression/171582.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=azernews.az}}</ref> The casualties included a 39-year-old ] volunteer, while two other volunteers were injured.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 October 2020|title=Civilians Reported Killed As Conflict Between Armenia, Azerbaijan Spills Into Urban Areas |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-urged-to-seek-lasting-cease-fire-as-diplomatic-efforts-continue/30916763.html|archive-url=https://archive.is/KKR1d|archive-date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref> Civilian infrastructure and vehicles were extensively damaged.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2020|title=Missile attack on Azerbaijani city of Barda: 21 dead, dozens wounded|url=https://jam-news.net/barda-28-october-21-dead-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-armenia-news-photo-video/|access-date=29 October 2020|work=JAM News|language=en}}</ref> Armenia denied responsibility,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-karabakh/azerbaijan-says-14-people-killed-by-shelling-in-barda-ria-idUSKBN27D1IR|title=Azerbaijan says 14 people killed by shelling in Barda: RIA|date=28 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> but ] and ] stated that Armenia had fired, or intentionally supplied Artsakh with, the ] and ] used in the attack.<ref name="amnestybarda">{{cite web|date=29 October 2020 |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: First confirmed use of cluster munitions by Armenia "cruel and reckless"|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-first-confirmed-use-of-cluster-munitions-by-armenia-cruel-and-reckless/|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref><ref name="nkrforces">{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/30/armenia-cluster-munitions-kill-civilians-azerbaijan|title=Armenia: Cluster Munitions Kill Civilians in Azerbaijan|date=30 October 2020}}</ref> Artsakh acknowledged responsibility, but said it was targeting military facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f99b27045324002c52d805f%26%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8C%20%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%20%D0%9D%D0%9A%D0%A0%20%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B5%D1%82%20%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%B2%20%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C%20%D0%BE%D1%82%20%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%262020-10-28T18%3A03%3A29.579Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:33b55dff-0d65-4d37-8141-94e37dd45df1&pinned_post_asset_id=5f99b27045324002c52d805f&pinned_post_type=share |title=Пресс-секретарь лидера НКР призывает мирных азербайджанцев бежать от военных объектов|date=28 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service}}</ref> Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said that the "firing of cluster munitions into civilian areas is cruel and reckless, and causes untold death, injury and misery".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-first-confirmed-use-of-cluster-munitions-by-armenia-cruel-and-reckless/|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: First confirmed use of cluster munitions by Armenia "cruel and reckless"|date=29 October 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref> The ] called the attack a "terrorist act against civilians".<ref name="apa">{{cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/frontline-news/General-Prosecutors-Office-Death-toll-from-Armenias-missile-attack-on-Azerbaijans-Barda-rises-to-19-nearly-60-people-injured-colorredUPDATED-1color-334119|title=General Prosecutor's Office: Death toll from Armenia's missile attack on Azerbaijan's Barda rises to 21, about 70 people wounded – Updated – 2|publisher=Azeri Press Agency|date=28 October 2020|access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref> The use of cluster munitions was also reported by ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/world/europe/azerbaijan-barda-armenia-rockets-karabakh.html|title=In Azerbaijan, a String of Explosions, Screams and Then Blood|author=Carlotta Gall|date=28 October 2020 |website=nytimes.com|publisher=The New York Times|quote=In the morning, we had visited Garayusifli, a sleepy farming village just outside Barda, where people were burying victims of another rocket attack. Four people died, including a 7-year-old girl, and more than a dozen were wounded. Children had been playing on their bikes, and their parents sitting in the shade of their gardens, when the missile exploded, scattering cluster bomblets over the houses of several neighbors.}}</ref> | |||
On 12 December, Azerbaijani trucks, accompanied by the ] and Russian peacekeepers, entered ] in ] of Armenia to pick up the bodies of fallen soldiers. Armenian officials refuted the media reports of Azerbaijani vehicles entering ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/267701/|title=Власти Гориса заверили, что по городу не разъезжают машины с азербайджанскими номерами|date=12 December 2020|access-date=12 December 2020|work=Armenian Report|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
=== Azerbaijani === | |||
] | |||
On 16 December, the family members of the missing Armenian soldiers gathered in front of the Armenian Ministry of Defence building, demanding information about their loved ones. They were not allowed into the building and Armenian military representatives did not give a response. A scuffle ensued, during which the family members of the missing Armenian soldiers broke through to the building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/268038/|title=Родители без вести пропавших солдат прорвались к зданию МО, минуя КПП|date=16 December 2020|access-date=16 December 2020|language=ru|work=Armenian Report}}</ref> | |||
On 4 October 2020, the Armenian government stated Azerbaijan had deployed ] against residential targets in ]; an Amnesty International investigator condemned this.<ref>"" Yahoo News 5 October 2020</ref> In an Amnesty International report, the cluster bombs were identified as "Israeli-made M095 DPICM cluster munitions that appear to have been fired by Azerbaijani forces".<ref>{{cite news|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|agency=Amnesty International|date=5 October 2020}}</ref> The next day, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs ] stated to ] that the targeting of civilian populations in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani forces was tantamount to ]s and called for an end to the "aggression".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yingst|first=Trey|date=2020-10-05|title=Azerbaijan committing "war crimes" in disputed region, top Armenian diplomat tells Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-war-crimes-claims-foreign-minister|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Fox News}}</ref> In November 2020, Aliyev denied using cluster munitions against civilian areas in Stepanakert on the 1, 2, and 3 October 2020 in an interview with ''BBC News'' journalist Orla Guerin, describing as "fake news" the statements of other BBC reporters who witnessed the attacks and described them as "indiscriminate shelling of a town without clear military targets".<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-11-09|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: President Ilham Aliyev speaks to the BBC|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-54865589|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-10}}</ref> | |||
During an on-site investigation in Nagorno-Karabakh in October 2020, ] documented four incidents in which Azerbaijan used Israeli-made cluster munitions against civilian areas of Nagorno-Karabakh. The HRW investigation team stated that they did not find any sort of military sites in the residential neighborhoods where the cluster munitions were used and condemned its use against civilian-populated areas. Stephen Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition, stated that "the continued use of cluster munitions – particularly in populated areas – shows flagrant disregard for the safety of civilians". He then added that "the repeated use of cluster munitions by Azerbaijan should cease immediately as their continued use serves to heighten the danger for civilians for years to come". The HRW investigation team also noted that numerous civilian buildings and infrastructure were heavily damaged due to shelling.<ref name="hrw123">{{cite web|date=23 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=23 October 2020|publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> French newspaper '']'' also reported Azerbaijan using ] during the war, reportedly confirmed by a French doctor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20201113.OBS36046/au-karabakh-des-crimes-de-guerre-au-phosphore.html?fbclid=IwAR0yZn5CZk4XOPQut58u2b-QQxlU8aJ56VvQkXz4jDLS8-joMRBixZ2liu8|title=Au Karabakh, des crimes de guerre au phosphore|date=2020-11-13|website=nouvelobs.com|publisher=]|author=Sara Daniel|lang=fr}}</ref> | |||
On 15 October 2020, a video surfaced of two captured Armenians being executed by Azerbaijani soldiers;<ref name="bellingcat">{{cite web|title=An Execution in Hadrut|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2020/10/15/an-execution-in-hadrut-karabakh/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Bellingcat}}</ref> Artsakh authorities identified one as a civilian.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azeri troops shoot Armenian war prisoners dead|url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286591/|access-date=2020-10-15|publisher=Panarmenian}}</ref> '']'' analysed the videos and concluded that the footage was real and that both executed were Armenian combatants captured by Azerbaijani forces between 9 and 15 October 2020 and later executed.<ref name="bellingcat"/> The ] also investigated the videos and confirmed that the videos were from Hadrut and were filmed some time between 9–15 October 2020. A probe has been launched by Armenia's human rights defender, Arman Tatoyan, who shared the videos with ] and who will also show the videos to the ], the ] and other international organizations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: 'Execution' video prompts war crime probe|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54645254|work=BBC News|date=24 October 2020}}</ref> The U.N. human rights chief, ], stated that "in-depth investigations by media organisations into videos that appeared to show Azerbaijani troops summarily executing two captured Armenians in military uniforms uncovered compelling and deeply disturbing information".<ref>{{cite news|title=Possible war crimes committed in Nagorno-Karabakh, U.N. rights boss says|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-un-rights-idUSKBN27I238 |agency=Reuters|date=2 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Official statements == | |||
The ] ] has invited ] intervention in the conflict, as has his ] ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Armenia, Azerbaijan Speak Out, Here's What They Want from U.S.|url=https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-armenia-azerbaijan-speak-out-want-us-1535699|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002013430/https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-armenia-azerbaijan-speak-out-want-us-1535699|archive-date=2 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=newsweek.com|publisher=Newsweek}}</ref> | |||
=== Armenia and Artsakh === | |||
] (second from left) leads a moment of silence honoring Armenian soldiers and civilians who perished during the war.]] | |||
On 27 September 2020, the ], ], accused the Azerbaijani authorities of a large-scale provocation. The Prime Minister stated that the "recent aggressive statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, large-scale joint military exercises with Turkey, as well as the rejection of OSCE proposals for monitoring" indicated that the aggression was pre-planned and constituted a major violation of regional peace and security.<ref name="Pashinyan">{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/rus/news/1028969.html?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=98f50d3be7467be095f17b6579e9d7b5127d6229-1601273684-0-AV9Aq1xDiwWlWRcSm6_QNHFtPWl-1uy_12Mp1-D0QEdVBlulmTOWF6iUl0PRCA5eWHGJZNB9c8A8DWhMdgmkcE2nhhhAMZoTQgTjPIrSI5m3Dk5Ljw28Fwyrqfel7ZwrN7ZmevRVMNm_HmziN1HTKhwryYXhcZsP2CTqei4WfHFSOrdVvjbqm2FxC3mv2pt49tCMStF53flYq4GwdJq1ESf-xzVQZzRM6ndJSQPvkh9Gbz_spC9aM3-UIOghoCEjtMyqrrb8Mc5uA5M_d75HQHfgCnDvoKZpRxNq57MjQItE|title=Агрессия со стороны Азербайджана была спланирована заранее: Пашинян|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|language=ru}}</ref> The next day, Armenia's ] (MoFA) issued a statement, noting that the "people of Artsakh were at war with the ]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/rus/news/1029219.html|title=Народ Арцаха воюет с турецко-азербайджанским альянсом: МИД Республики Армения|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|language=ru|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
The same day, the Armenian ambassador to Russia, Vardan Toganyan, did not rule out that Armenia may turn to ] for fresh arms supplies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/rus/news/1029218.html |title=Вардан Тоганян не исключил, что Армения может обратиться к РФ для новых поставок оружия|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|language=ru|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> On 29 September 2020, Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that Azerbaijan, with military support from Turkey, was expanding the theater into Armenian territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029486.html|title=Azerbaijan expanding geography of hostilities with active support of Turkey – PM Pashinyan|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On 30 September 2020, Pashinyan stated that Armenia was considering officially recognizing the Republic of Artsakh as an independent territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029566.html|title=Armenia considers officially recognizing independence of Nagorno Karabakh, Pashinyan says|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|date=30 September 2020 |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> The same day, the Armenian MoFA stated that the Turkish Air Force had carried out provocative flights along the front between the forces of the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, including providing air support to the Azerbaijani army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.am/hy/interviews-articles-and-comments/2020/09/30/MFA_Turkey_Statement/10476?fbclid=IwAR0ylwyRWXr1pLEQ8chg70Xf0Mkx58sLdUwKwhdkm6I5kcGr1b15I4Mo63E|title=ՀՀ ԱԳՆ հայտարարությունը Թուրքիայի ԶՈՒ ներգրավվածության վերաբերյալ|publisher=MFA|date=30 September 2020|language=hy}}</ref> | |||
On 1 October 2020, the President of Artsakh, ], stated that Armenians needed to prepare for a long-term war.<ref>{{cite web|title=Putin, Macron call for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire as deaths mount|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/1/putin-macron-call-for-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-as-deaths-mount?scrlybrkr=a02a50bf|website=aljezzera.com|publisher=Aljazzera|access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Two days later, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Foreign Ministry called on the international community to recognize the ] of the Republic of Artsakh in order to restore regional peace and security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/285974/|title=Karabakh urges international community to recognize its independence|publisher=PanArmenian |quote=Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Foreign Ministry on Saturday, October 3 called on the international community to recognize the independence of Artsakh.}}</ref> | |||
On 6 October 2020, the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that the Armenian side was prepared to make concessions, if Azerbaijan was ready to reciprocate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Пашинян: Ереван готов к уступкам в карабахском конфликте, если к этому же готовы в Баку|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9645263|access-date=2020-10-29|agency=ТАСС}}</ref> | |||
On 9 October 2020, Armen Sarkissian demanded that international powers, particularly, the United States, Russia and ], do more to stop Turkey's involvement in the war and warned that ] is creating "another Syria in the Caucasus".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/122861|title="Turkey creating "another Syria in Caucasus", Armenian President Tells Financial Times |date=2020-10-09|website=hetq.am|publisher=Hetq}}</ref> | |||
On 21 October 2020, Nikol Pashinyan stated that "it is impossible to talk about a diplomatic solution at this stage, at least at this stage", since the compromise option is not acceptable for Azerbaijan, while the Armenian side stated many times that it is ready to resolve the issue through compromises. Pashinyan said that "to fight for the rights of our people means, first of all, to take up arms and commit to the protection of the rights of the homeland".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/21/pm-there-is-no-diplomatic-solution-to-karabakh-issue-at-least-not-in-this-stage/|title=There is no diplomatic solution to Karabakh issue, at least not in this stage|date=2020-10-21|website=armradio.am|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> | |||
On 12 November 2020, Pashinyan addressed his nation, saying that "Armenia and the Armenian people are living extremely difficult days. There is sorrow in the hearts of all of us, tears in the eyes of all of us, pain in the souls of all of us". The prime minister pointed out that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia reported that the war "must be stopped immediately". And the President of Artsakh warned that if the hostilities do not stop, Stepanakert could be lost in days. Pashinyan also stated that the Karabakh issue was not resolved and is not resolved and that the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic is becoming an absolute priority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/124228|title=Pashinyan to Nation: “Karabakh Issue Has Not Been Resolved”|date=2020-11-12|website=hetq.am|publisher=]|}}</ref> | |||
=== Azerbaijan === | === Azerbaijan === | ||
], Azerbaijan after the peace treaty.]] | |||
] ] with the country's Security Council on 27 September 2020]] | |||
The peace agreement and the end of the war was seen as a victory and was widely celebrated in Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=10 November 2020 |title=Euphoric Azerbaijanis celebrate "victorious" Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/euphoric-azerbaijanis-celebrate-victorious-nagorno-karabakh-peace-deal/news |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Daily Sabah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|date=10 November 2020|title=Cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh provokes protests in Armenia, celebrations in Azerbaijan|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-armenia-russia-azerbaijan/2020/11/10/b1b9bcc0-231b-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> On 10 November 2020, crowds waved flags in ] after the peace deal was announced.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 November 2020|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54882564|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> On that day, ] ] gave a speech in which he mockingly said {{lang|az|Nə oldu Paşinyan?}} ("What happened Pashinyan?"), which became an Internet meme in Azerbaijan and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://report.az/qarabag/prezident-ilham-eliyev-men-dogrudan-da-yene-bu-suali-vermek-isteyirem-bes-ne-oldu-pasinyan/|title=Prezident İlham Əliyev: "Mən doğrudan da yenə bu sualı vermək istəyirəm: Bəs, nə oldu Paşinyan?!"|first=Anar|last=Tağıyev|publisher=Report News Agency|date=14 August 2021|language=az}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://carnegieeurope.eu/2021/02/11/unfinished-business-in-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-pub-83844|title=Unfinished Business in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict|first=Thomas|last=de Waal|author-link=Thomas de Waal|publisher=]|date=11 February 2021}}</ref> On 11 November, at a meeting with wounded Azerbaijani servicemen who took part in the war, Aliyev said that new orders and medals would be established in Azerbaijan, and that he gave appropriate instructions on awarding civilians and servicemen who showed "heroism on the battlefield and in the rear and distinguished themselves in this war." He also proposed the names of these orders and medals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.president.az/articles/46142|title=Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with servicemen undergoing treatment at Clinical Medical Center 1|date=11 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|work=]|publisher=]}}</ref> About a week later, at a plenary session of the ], a draft law on amendments to the law "On the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was submitted for discussion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.president.az/articles/46142|title=Vətən Müharibəsində qələbə münasibətilə Azərbaycan Respublikasının orden və medallarının təsis edilməsi ilə əlaqədar "Azərbaycan Respublikasının orden və medallarının təsis edilməsi haqqında" Azərbaycan Respublikasının Qanununda dəyişiklik edilməsi barədə Azərbaycan Respublıkasinin Qanunu|trans-title=Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan" in connection with the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of victory in the Great Patriotic War|date=20 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|publisher=]|language=az}}</ref> Seventeen new orders and medals were established on the same day in the first reading in accordance with the bill "On the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armiya.az/ru/news/166994|title=Парламент Азербайджана утвердил в первом чтении законопроект об учреждении новых орденов и медалей Отечественной войны|trans-title=The Parliament of Azerbaijan approved in the first reading the bill on the establishment of new orders and medals of the Patriotic War|date=20 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|work=Armiya.az|language=ru|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129231951/http://armiya.az/ru/news/166994|url-status=dead}}</ref> In mid-November, Aliyev and ], ], visited ] and ] Districts, both of which were ghost towns in ruins after the Armenian forces occupied it in 1993.<ref name="afpoccupation">{{Cite web|first=Tofik|last=Babayev|url=https://news.yahoo.com/azerbaijans-fizuli-ghost-town-karabakh-144520120.html|title=Azerbaijan's Fuzuli a ghost town after Karabakh battles|date=19 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|work=]}}</ref> Aliyev ordered the ] to construct a new highway, starting from ], which will connect Fuzuli to ].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Mushvig|last=Mehdiyev|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/azerbaijani-president-visits-liberated-districts-vows-to-rebuild-damaged-villages-and-cities-2020-11-18-49/|title=Azerbaijani President Visits Liberated Districts, Vows to Rebuild Damaged Villages and Cities|date=19 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|work=Caspian News}}</ref> In Jabrayil, Aliyev stated that a "new master plan" will be drawn up to rebuild the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3336059.html|title=Victory monuments will be erected in all cities and life will return here – President of Azerbaijan|date=17 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|work=]}}</ref> | |||
The day before the conflict, on 26 September 2020, according to the ], the Armenian military violated the ceasefire 48 times along the line of contact. Azerbaijan stated that the Armenian side attacked first, prompting an Azerbaijani counter-offensive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/frontline-news-557/|title=26 September 2020 09:40 |publisher=Defence Ministry of Azerbaijan|date=26 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
] fighter jets during the ] in Baku on 10 December.]] | |||
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan accused Armenian forces of a "willful and deliberate" attack on the front line<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/673912/Heavy-fighting-erupts-in-Nagorny-Karabakh|title=Heavy fighting erupts in Nagorny Karabak|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|publisher=Gulf Times}}</ref> and of targeting civilian areas, alleging a "gross violation of ]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Hikmat_Hajiyev_Armenia_039s_deliberate_targeting_of_residential_areas_and_the_civilians_is_a_gross_violation_of_international_humanitarian_law-1596165|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: Armenia's deliberate targeting of residential areas and the civilians is a gross violation of international humanitarian law|website=azertag.az|publisher=Azerbaijan State News Agency|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> On 28 September 2020, it stated that Armenia's actions had destroyed the peace negotiations through an act of aggression,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://report.az/dagliq-qarabag-munaqishesi/hikmet-haciyev-ordumuz-azerbaycan-erazisinin-tehlukesizliyini-temin-edir/|title=Hikmət Hacıyev: "Ordumuz Azərbaycan ərazisinin təhlükəsizliyini təmin edir"|website=report.az|publisher=Report Information Agency|language=az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> alleged that a war had been launched against Azerbaijan, mobilized the people of Azerbaijan, and declared a ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://report.az/dagliq-qarabag-munaqishesi/prezidentin-komekcisi-azerbaycana-qarsi-muharibe-baslayib/|title=Prezidentin köməkçisi: "Bu, Azərbaycan xalqının Böyük Vətən Müharibəsidir"|website=report.az|publisher=Report Information Agency|language=az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> It then stated that the deployment of the Armenian military in Nagorno-Karabakh constituted a threat to regional peace and accused Armenia of propagandising, adding that the Azerbaijani military was operating according to international law.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Hikmat-Hajiyev:-%22Armenia-prepares-very-false-and-needless-information%22-331408|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: "Armenia prepares very false and needless information" |website=apa.az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani authorities issued a statement accusing the Armenian military of purposefully targeting civilians, including women and children.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/az/sosial_xeberler/Dovlt-Komitsi-Ermnistan-silahli-quvvlrinin-qadin-v-usaqlari-qtl-yetirmsin-dair-byanat-yayib-607424|title=Dövlət Komitəsi Ermənistan silahlı qüvvələrinin qadın və uşaqları qətlə yetirməsinə dair bəyanat yayıb|website=apa.az|language=az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) denied any reports of Turkish involvement, while admitting military-technical cooperation with Turkey and other countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://regnum.ru/news/polit/3075510.html|title=Азербайджан ответил на обвинения Армении в привлечении наёмников|website=regnum.ru|publisher=REGNUM News Agency|language=ru|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
27 September and 10 November were declared ] and ] respectively,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:27045536-6d7a-476e-bb34-b438c5d4e1da|title=Hər il sentyabrın 27-si Azərbaycanda Anım Günü kimi qeyd olunacaq|date=2 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:80291d10-807c-43c6-aed7-5e2e8be46797|title=10 noyabr – Azərbaycanda Zəfər Günü kimi təsis olunub|date=2 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> although the latter's date was changed to 8 November as it overlapped with ]'s ] in Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:191f4415-82ba-4cff-af24-e815dcef7472|title=Azərbaycanda Zəfər Gününün vaxtı dəyişdirilib|date=3 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> It was also announced that the new station in the ] will be named ] at the suggestion of Aliyev.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55226952|title=İlham Əliyevin təklifi ilə yeni metrostansiya "8 noyabr" adlanacaq, Baş infeksionist Təyyar Eyvazov: "Epidemioloji vəziyyət pisləşməkdə davam edir"|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|date=8 December 2020|access-date=8 December 2020|language=az}}</ref> On the same day, President Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the YASHAT Foundation to support the families of those wounded and killed during the war, and general control over the management of the foundation was transferred to the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55226953|title=İlham Əliyev yaralıların və həlak olanların ailələrinə dəstək üçün YAŞAT Fondu yaradıb|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|date=8 December 2020|access-date=8 December 2020|language=az}}</ref> On 2 December, the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan announced that the bank debts of servicemen and civilians killed during the war in Azerbaijan would be completely written off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:fd97ac50-800f-4796-aae6-10774e1997fd|title=Azərbaycanda həlak olmuş hərbçilərin və mülki şəxslərin bank borcları tam silinəcək|date=1 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> On 4 December, at 12:00 (]) local time, a ] was held in Azerbaijan to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3344857.html|title=Azerbaijan commemorates bright memory of martyrs with minute of silence (VIDEO)|date=4 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/domestic-news/Azerbaijan-observes-minute-of-silence-to-honor-Martyrs-of-Patriotic-War|title=Azerbaijan observes minute of silence to honor Martyrs of Patriotic War|date=4 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=]}}</ref> Flags were lowered across the country, and traffic halted, while ships moored in the ], as well as cars honked their horns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:509620c7-dc35-4d5f-a439-18839d871a17|title=İkinci Qarabağ Müharibəsində həlak olanların xatirəsi bir dəqiqəlik sükutla anılıb|date=4 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> A unity prayer was held at the ] in Baku in memory of those killed in the war, and '']'' ], chairman of the Religious Council of the Caucasus, said that "Sunnis and Shiites prayed for the souls of our martyrs together." Commemoration ceremonies were also held in mosques in ], ], Ganja, ], ], ], in churches in Baku and Ganja, and in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:39cc9ad0-65bd-4ebd-97d1-34e57a8444b0|title=Azərbaycandə məscid, sinaqoq və kilsələrdə anım mərasimləri keçirilib|date=4 December 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> On 9 December, President Aliyev awarded 83 servicemen with the title of ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://axar.az/news/toplum/521963.html|title=Bu hərbçilərə Vətən Müharibəsi Qəhrəmanı adı verildi|date=9 December 2020|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108054026/https://axar.az/news/toplum/521963.html|archive-date=8 January 2021|work=Axar.az|language=az|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> 204 servicemen with ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apa.az/az/azerbaycan-ordusu/Silahli-Quvvlrin-hrbi-qulluqculari-tltif-edilib-colorredSIYAHIcolor-618932ar|title=Silahlı Qüvvələrin hərbi qulluqçuları təltif edilib – SİYAHI|date=9 December 2020|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108110327/https://apa.az/az/azerbaycan-ordusu/Silahli-Quvvlrin-hrbi-qulluqculari-tltif-edilib-colorredSIYAHIcolor-618932ar|archive-date=8 January 2021|work=]|language=az|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 33 servicemen with ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://az.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3347531.html|title=Silahlı Qüvvələrin bir sıra hərbi qulluqçuları təltif olunub|date=9 December 2020|access-date=9 December 2020|work=]|language=az}}</ref> | |||
On 29 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, spoke about Azerbaijan's ]. Aliyev stated that Armenian control of the area and aggression had led to the destruction of infrastructure and mosques, caused the ], and resulted in ], insulting the ] and being tantamount to state-backed ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://azertag.az/xeber/Prezident_Ilham_Aliyev_Islamofobiya_ve_Azerbaycanofobiya_siyaseti_artiq_Ermenistanin_resmi_ideologiyasina_chevrilib-1598429|title=Prezident İlham Əliyev: İslamofobiya və Azərbaycanofobiya siyasəti artıq Ermənistanın rəsmi ideologiyasına çevrilib|website=azertag.az|publisher=Azerbaijan State News Agency|language=az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani MoFA demanded that Armenia stop shelling civilians and called on international organizations to ensure Armenia followed international law.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/MFA:-We-demand-from-Armenia-to-stop-shelling-civilians-331517|title=MFA: We demand from Armenia to stop shelling civilians|website=apa.az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia denied reports of mercenaries brought in from Turkey by Azerbaijan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ria.ru/20200929/naemniki-1577940972.html |title=Посол Азербайджана опроверг данные о привлечении Баку турецких наемников|website=ria.ru|agency=RIA Novosti|language=ru|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> and the ], ], stated that Azerbaijan had never laid claim to others' territory nor committed crimes against humanity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Mehriban-Aliyeva:-%22May-the-Almighty-grant-every-Azerbaijani-the-chance-to-kiss-the-sacred-Karabakh-soil!%22-331594|title=Mehriban Aliyeva: "May the Almighty grant every Azerbaijani the chance to kiss the sacred Karabakh soil!"|website=apa.az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
A ] on 10 December in honour of the Azerbaijani victory on ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 December 2020|title=Baku preparing for grandiose Victory Parade – VIDEO|url=https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/baku-preparing-for-grandiose-victory-parade-ndash-video/|access-date=4 December 2020|website=www.azerbaycan24.com}}</ref> with 3,000 military servicemen who distinguished themselves during the war marched alongside military equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-55260110|title=Zəfər paradında əsgərlərin marşı, yeni silah və hərbi texnika – şəkillərdə|date=10 December 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|work=BBC Azerbaijani Service|language=az}}</ref> as well as Armenian war trophies,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Makarenko|first=Alena|date=2 December 2020|title=Эрдоган приедет на парад победы в Баку: мнение политолога date|url=https://360tv.ru/news/mir/pobedy-v-azerbajdzhane/|access-date=10 December 2020|work=360 TV|language=ru}}</ref> and Turkish soldiers and officers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bəşir |first=Türkan |date=10 December 2020 |title=Bakıda "Zəfər Paradı" keçirildi |url=https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/bakıda-zəfər-paradı-keçirildi/5694375.html |access-date=10 December 2020 |work=Amerikanın Səsi |publisher=] |language=az}}</ref> Turkish President Erdoğan attended the ] as part of a ] to Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bəşir |first=Türkan |date=9 December 2020 |title=Türkiyə Prezidenti Azərbaycana səfərə gəlib |url=https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/türkiyə-prezidenti-azərbaycana-səfərə-gəlib/5692916.html |access-date=10 December 2020 |work=Amerikanın Səsi |publisher=] |language=az}}</ref> In April 2021, Azerbaijan opened a ] featuring items from the conflict.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 April 2021|title=In pictures: Azerbaijan's controversial war park|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56885719|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> | |||
On 3 October 2020, Aliyev stated that Armenia needed to leave Azerbaijan's territory (in Nagorno-Karabakh) for the war to stop.<ref>{{cite web|last=Istanbul|first=Aren Melikyan in Yerevan and Arzu Geybullaeva in|title=President of Azerbaijan tells Armenia to 'leave our territory, and then, the war will stop'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/03/asia/azerbaijan-armenia-president-intl/index.html|access-date=2020-10-04 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The next day, Aliyev issued an official statement that Azerbaijan was "writing a new history", describing Karabakh as an ancient Azerbaijani territory and longstanding home to Azerbaijanis, and noting that Armenians had occupied Azerbaijan's territory, destroying its religious and cultural heritage, for three decades. He added that Azerbaijan would restore its cities and destroyed mosques and accused Armenia of distorting history.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 October 2020|title=President Ilham Aliyev: Today we are writing a new history of our people and state, a glorious history |website=apa.az|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/President-Ilham-Aliyev:-Today-we-are-writing-a-new-history-of-our-people-and-state-a-glorious-history-332072|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020 |quote=As you know, Azerbaijan has been fighting to restore its territorial integrity for a week now. On the battlefield, our soldiers and officers show heroism, inflict crushing blows on the enemy, put the enemy in its place, drive the enemy out of our lands at the cost of their lives... We are restoring historical justice today because the land of Karabakh is our ancient historical land. The people of Azerbaijan have lived, created and built in these lands for centuries. But for many years, for almost 30 years, Armenian executioners have occupied our lands, destroyed all our historical, religious and cultural sites. We will restore all our cities. We will restore all our mosques destroyed by the Armenians. Life will return to these places. We have put an end to the attempts of Armenians to change our historical names and falsify history, to erase the historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people. The historical names of our settlements are being restored and they will be restored.}}</ref> | |||
According to peer-reviewed journal ''Caucasus Survey'':<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gamaghelyan |first1=Philip |last2=Rumyantsev |first2=Sergey |title=The road to the Second Karabakh War: the role of ethno-centric narratives in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |journal=Caucasus Survey |date=2021 |volume=9|issue=3|pages=330–331 |doi=10.1080/23761199.2021.1932068|s2cid=237801805 |issn = 2376-1199 }}</ref> | |||
Two days later, Aliyev's aide, Hikmat Hajiyev, claimed that Armenia had deployed cluster munitions against cities,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ermenistan cepheden kaçıyor sivilleri vuruyor|language=tr|work=Dünya Bülteni|url=https://www.dunyabulteni.net/ortadogu/ermenistan-cepheden-kaciyor-sivilleri-vuruyor-h479865.html}}</ref> however this has not been verified by other sources. On 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan officially notified members of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and similar organizations that it had launched the operation in line with international law to re-establish its internationally recognized territorial integrity and for the safety of its people.<ref>{{cite web|date=7 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan sends notice to world courts on military ops|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/azerbaijan-sends-notice-to-world-courts-on-military-ops/1998840|access-date=18 October 2020|publisher=Anadolu Agency}}</ref> He also accused Armenia of ] on account of the historical expulsion or self-exile of ethnic minority communities, highlighting its ].<ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=President Ilham Aliyev: "Armenia is a racist country, representatives of no other nationality can live there" |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/President-Ilham-Aliyev:-%22Armenia-is-a-racist-country-representatives-of-no-other-nationality-can-live-there%22-332434|url-status=live|access-date=8 October 2020 |website=apa.az|quote=There are representatives of many nationalities living in Azerbaijan. They live like one family. Azerbaijan is known as a multicultural country worldwide. This is acknowledged by the United Nations, as well as other international organizations operating in the humanitarian field. Azerbaijan is the land of tolerance, ethnic and religious tolerance. Thousands of Armenians live in our country today and they are our citizens. They also live normally, like all other nationalities. Of course, I am sure that after the end of this war and conflict, the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh today will live with us. Azerbaijan is a multinational country. This has been the case throughout history. I think this is our great advantage.}}</ref> | |||
{{blockquote|…for the first time in the post-Soviet era, the Azerbaijani leadership has achieved a high degree of social solidarity. All opposition parties and organizations, including the ], ], ], and National Council, expressed their full support for the war. The citizens acquired a shared emotional experience of "making history". (...) The government received the stamp of approval from its most vicious critics. The authoritarian government and the civil society it long persecuted were united in the name of homeland. The definition of homeland, consequently, has been reduced to a military victory for the soil, not ]. By supporting a war the government waged, both the opposition and civil society contributed to the creation of a new source and reserve of legitimacy for ]. Further, while the opposition and civil society criticized the regime in Russia for its authoritarianism and imperialist nationalism, the majority of them did not express misgivings about the no less authoritarian and imperialist politics of Turkey, and enthusiastically embraced ultra-right ].}} | |||
=== Transfer of territories and flight of Armenian population === | |||
On 10 October 2020, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister ] stated that the truce signed on the same day was temporary.<ref>{{cite news|author=Reuters Staff|date=2020-10-10|title=Azeri foreign minister says Nagorno-Karabakh truce is temporary|agency=Reuters|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-foreignminister-idUKKBN26V0JK|access-date=2020-10-10}}</ref> Despite this, Aliyev stated that both parties were now attempting to determine a political resolution to the conflict.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|last=Hovhannisyan|first=Nailia Bagirova, Nvard|date=2020-10-10|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire|agency=Reuters|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-diplomacy-idUKKBN26V007|access-date=2020-10-10}}</ref> The next day, Azerbaijani authorities stated that Armenia was conducting an act of genocide, emphasizing the Khojaly massacre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Hikmat-Hajiyev:-%22It-is-an-act-of-genocide-against-Azerbaijani-people%22-332639|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: "It is an act of genocide against Azerbaijani people"|website=apa.az|date=11 October 2020|access-date=11 October 2020|quote=Policy of vandalism and barbarism of Armenia against Azerbaijani civilian population continues. It is an act of genocide against Azerbaijani people we have witnessed since Khojaly genocide.}}</ref> | |||
] of ].]]{{Main|Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh#2020 war}} | |||
{{External media |video1={{YouTube|d9oIi0WXuvM|Nagorno-Karabakh: The families burning down their own homes}}}} | |||
The Armenian population of the territories ceded to Azerbaijan was forced to flee to Armenia, sometimes destroying their houses and livestock to keep them out of Azerbaijani hands.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cookman |first1=Liz |date=20 November 2020 |title=For Armenians Fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh, 'Losing It Is Everything' |publisher=Foreign Policy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/20/armenians-fleeing-nagorno-karabakh-bitter-peace/ |access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ohanyan |first=Anna |date=20 November 2020 |title=Armenians Flee Nagorno-Karabakh After Six-Week War With Azerbaijan |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/11/20/armenians-flee-nagorno-karabakh-after-six-week-war-with-azerbaijan/kalm |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}</ref> | |||
=== Turkish-Russian peacekeeping === | |||
On 21 October 2020, Aliyev, stated that Azerbaijan did not ruled out the introduction international observers and peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, but will put forward some conditions when the time comes.<ref name="aljazeerapeacekeeper">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/22/azeri-president-says-armenians-can-have-cultural-autonomy|title=Azeri president says Armenians can have "cultural autonomy"|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref> He then added that Azerbaijan did not agree for a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201022/karabakh-1580992201.html|title=Алиев исключил возможность проведения референдума в Карабахе|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti}}</ref> but didn't exclude the cultural autonomy of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref name="aljazeerapeacekeeper"/> and reaffirmed that the Azerbaijan considers Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh as their citizens, promising security and rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201022/armyane-1581006912.html|title=Права армян в Карабахе будут полностью соблюдены, заявил Алиев|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-Karabakh}} | |||
=== Post-ceasefire clashes === | |||
On 26 October 2020, Aliyev, stated that the Azerbaijani government will inspect and record the destruction by Armenian forces in Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh during the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f96ffdd67645202b6c4c36e%26%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%B2%20%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%82%20%D0%90%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B8%20%D1%81%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BC%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B8%262020-10-26T16%3A57%3A03.151Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:685e43b5-6cb6-46d3-b1e3-d06cb7246c89&pinned_post_asset_id=5f96ffdd67645202b6c4c36e&pinned_post_type=share|title=Алиев грозит Армении счетом за разоренные земли|date=26 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis}} | |||
=== Canada's boycott of arms exports to Turkey === | |||
== Allegations of third-party involvement == | |||
In 2020, Canada suspended arms exports to Turkey due to accusations of the use of Canadian technology in the conflict, in violation of end-use assurances Turkey had given to Canada. Turkey criticised the Canadian decision.<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey hits out at Canada for suspending arms exports|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-turkey-global-trade-azerbaijan-ottawa-6698a73cb11010ffb14e104d31bda42e|website=Associated Press|date=6 October 2020 |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref> In 2021, Canada prohibited arms exports to Turkey after an investigation verified the accusations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canada blocks arms exports to Turkey|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-urges-canada-to-review-defense-embargo-163895|website=hurriyetdailynews|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> Turkey protested that the embargo will harm bilateral relations and ] alliance solidarity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gumrukcu |first1=Tuvan |last2=Butler |first2=Daren |date=12 April 2021 |editor-last=Toksabay |editor-first=Ece |editor2-last=Jones |editor2-first=Gareth |title=Canada scraps export permits for drone technology to Turkey, complains to Ankara |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-canada/turkey-calls-on-canada-to-review-defence-industry-restrictions-idUSKBN2BZ1XB |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412151738/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-canada/turkey-calls-on-canada-to-review-defence-industry-restrictions-idUSKBN2BZ1XB |archive-date=12 April 2021 |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=reuters}}</ref> | |||
Because of the geography, history, and sensitivities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, accusations, allegations, and statements have been made of involvement by third-party and international actors, including in media reports and by the ] (SOHR). Evidence of the presence of Syrian fighters in Azerbaijan is increasing.<ref name="bbc_061020">{{cite news|title=Война в Карабахе: сотни раненых и погибшие по обе стороны фронта|trans-title=Karabakh war: Hundreds wounded and killed on both sides of the front|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 October 2020|language=ru|quote=Some results of Saturday|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006141402/https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] stated that there were reports about mercenaries on both sides, and called for their withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref name="ohchr">{{cite news |title=OHCHR {{!}} Mercenaries in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone must be withdrawn – UN experts |url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26494&LangID=E |accessdate=13 November 2020 |work=www.ohchr.org}}</ref> | |||
== Analysis == | |||
=== Turkey and Syrian National Army === | |||
{{See also|Azerbaijan–Turkey relations}} | |||
] awarding an Armenian volunteer for allegedly capturing a Syrian mercenary on 2 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Artsakh President awarded members of the volunteer unit who captured a Syrian mercenary in the Karabakh conflict zone|url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2020/11/02/Artsakh-President/2392969#.X6EFuXFK-e8.link|publisher=Panorama|date=2 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020}}</ref>]] | |||
] with ] on a 2020 visit to Baku.]] | |||
=== Nationalist sentiment === | |||
Prior to the beginning of the conflict, Turkey's upped rhetoric against Armenia, as well as its recruitment of several hundred Syrian refugees had been reported the previous week by Syrian commentators, activists and others on social media, circulated among Syrian refugees, dissidents and others who monitor Syria.<ref>{{cite web|last=FRANTZMAN|first=SETH J.|date=2020-09-26|title=Is Turkey planning to recruit Syrians to fight Armenia? – The Jerusalem Post|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/is-turkey-planning-to-recruit-syrians-to-fight-armenia-643628|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018234150/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/is-turkey-planning-to-recruit-syrians-to-fight-armenia-643628|archive-date=2020-10-18|access-date=2020-10-18|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|quote=Turkey has upped its rhetoric against Armenia in recent days, threatening the country and claiming Armenia is "playing with fire" and alleging Armenia has recruited "terrorists". Several hundred Syrian refugees have been recruited by Turkey to fight against Armenia in the disputed Karabagh region, according to claims by Syrian commentators, activists and other reports. The claims were posted on social media this week and circulated among Syrian refugees, dissidents and others who monitor Syria.}}</ref> Detailed reporting on the evidence of Syrian fighters in Azerbaijan exists, as well as apparent Turkish military involvement, causing international concern. Two days into the conflict, several Syrian National Army (SNA) members and the SOHR<ref name="SOHR1">{{cite news |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/186036/|title=Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey's ambition|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|date=28 September 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002050822/https://www.syriahr.com/en/186036/|url-status=live}}</ref> alleged that a private Turkish security company was recruiting Syrians to fight in Artsakh;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/28/syrian-rebel-fighters-prepare-to-deploy-to-azerbaijan-in-sign-of-turkeys-ambition|title=Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey's ambition|first=Bethan|last=McKernan|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928212602/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/28/syrian-rebel-fighters-prepare-to-deploy-to-azerbaijan-in-sign-of-turkeys-ambition|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200929-azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-syria-fighters-to-support-it/|title=Azerbaijan denies Turkey sent Syria fighters to support it |website=middleeastmonitor.com|publisher=Middle East Monitor|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929123407/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200929-azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-syria-fighters-to-support-it/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Turkey issued denials. '']'', '']'' and '']'' have reported evidence of Syrian mercenaries recruited in Syria by Turkey to fight alongside the Azerbaijani servicemen in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://observers.france24.com/fr/20201020-videos-document-presence-mercenaires-syriens-conflit-haut-karabakh|title=Des vidéos documentent la présence de mercenaires syriens dans le conflit du Haut-Karabakh|publisher=France24|date=20 October 2020|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/armenia-azerbaijan-syria-war-fighting-mercenary-russia-b912446.html?fbclid=IwAR0Y231bnsLeiCKcayZYrZSoKDl4quZbpZGGWDDzPU2Z2OHr80trg6IqfIk|title=We don't even know where Azerbaijan is: The Syrian mercenaries driven by poverty to die in a distant war|publisher=The Independent|date=9 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McKernan|first=Bethan|date=2020-09-28|title=Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey's ambition|publisher=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/28/syrian-rebel-fighters-prepare-to-deploy-to-azerbaijan-in-sign-of-turkeys-ambition|access-date=2020-10-26|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McKernan |first=Bethan|date=2020-10-02|title=Syrian recruit describes role of foreign fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh|publisher=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/syrian-recruit-describes-role-of-foreign-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-10-26|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> A report in '']'' partially confirmed Turkish involvement in sending 200 Syrian fighters to support Azerbaijani forces;<ref>{{cite news|last=Beirut|first=Hannah Lucinda Smith, Istanbul {{!}} Marc Bennetts, Moscow {{!}} Richard Spencer|date=29 September 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh clashes: Turkey sends Syrian mercenaries into combat against Armenians|publisher=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nagorno-karabakh-clashes-turkey-sends-syrian-mercenaries-into-combat-against-armenians-wz6cqjc57|url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930002607/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nagorno-karabakh-clashes-turkey-sends-syrian-mercenaries-into-combat-against-armenians-wz6cqjc57}}</ref> a Turkish-based source reported that these were acting independently of the SNA.<ref name="guard"/> | |||
{{Further|Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan|Anti-Azerbaijani sentiment in Armenia}} | |||
While Armenians and Azerbaijanis lived side by side under Soviet rule, the collapse of the Soviet Union contributed to ] and fierce ], causing both Armenians and Azerbaijanis to ] each other, shaping rhetoric on both sides.<ref>{{cite web|last=Oskanian|first=Kevork|title=Perspectives {{!}} Stereotypes and hatred drive the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/perspectives-stereotypes-and-hatred-drive-the-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|access-date=11 October 2020|website=eurasianet.org}}</ref> Before, during and after the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the growth of ] and ] sentiment resulted in ], including pogroms against Armenians in Azerbaijan, as in ] and ],<ref>{{cite book|last=Cornell|first=Svante|title=Azerbaijan Since Independence|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2010|isbn=978-0765630032|page=48}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rferl.org: Nagorno-Karabakh: Timeline Of The Long Road To Peace|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=2 February 2012 |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1065626.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329025222/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1065626.html|archive-date=29 March 2014|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 February 2003|title=Newsline|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1142847.html|url-status=live|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122039/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1142847.html|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=17 June 2013|title=The South Caucasus Between The EU and the Eurasian Union|url=http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210003/http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=3 July 2013|work=Caucasus Analytical Digest #51–52|publisher=Forschungsstelle Osteuropa, Bremen and Center for Security Studies, Zürich|page=21|issn=1867-9323}}</ref> and against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as at ] and ].<ref name="nytgugark"/><ref name="bbcpogrom"/><ref name="trud"/><ref name="kavkazpogrom"/> | |||
=== Azerbaijani aims === | |||
] accused Turkey of dispatching Syrian "]" to Nagorno-Karabakh via ]<ref name="Macron">{{cite web|date=1 October 2020|title=France accuses Turkey of sending Syrian jihadists to Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-putin-macron/france-accuses-turkey-of-sending-syrian-mercenaries-to-nagorno-karabakh-idUSKBN26L3SB|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004084924/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-putin-macron/france-accuses-turkey-of-sending-syrian-mercenaries-to-nagorno-karabakh-idUSKBN26L3SB |archive-date=4 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|agency=Reuters|quote="We now have information which indicates that Syrian fighters from jihadist groups have (transited) through Gaziantep (southeastern Turkey) to reach the Nagorno-Karabakh theatre of operations"}}</ref> while Russia expressed concern over "illegal armed units" from Syria and Libya being present in the conflict zone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comment by the Information and Press Department on the movement of foreign mercenaries to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone |url=https://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4363834|access-date=2020-10-04|website=mid.ru}}</ref> ] ] reiterated Macron's concerns.<ref name="assad">{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Syria's Assad blames Turkey for fighting between Azeris and Armenians|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/syrias-assad-says-turkeys-erdogan-main-instigator-in-nagorno-karabakh-644704|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009013802/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/syrias-assad-says-turkeys-erdogan-main-instigator-in-nagorno-karabakh-644704|archive-date=9 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> On 3 October 2020, Armenian Prime Minister ] stated that Syrian fighters, together with ] specialists, were involved, along with circa 150 senior Turkish military officers, allegedly directing military operations.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=150 Turkish high ranking military officers in Azerbaijani command centers – PM Pashinyan|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030164/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093117/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030164/ |archive-date=2020-10-09|access-date=2020-10-10|website=armenpress.am|publisher=Armenpress|quote=Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced that the analysis of the developments of the previous day show that 150–200 soldiers of the enemy attack 1 military position of the Defense Army of Artsakh.}}</ref> The ] presented intercepts, allegedly between the Turkish and Azerbaijani military, and between the Azerbaijani military and mercenaries.<ref>{{cite web|title=СРОЧНО! СНБ Армении представила факт участия Турции и наемников-террористов в боях против Карабаха|url=https://news.am/rus/news/605835.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009092839/https://news.am/rus/news/605835.html|archive-date=2020-10-09|access-date=2020-10-10|publisher=News.am|language=ru}}</ref> U.S. Secretary of State ] stated that Turkey's involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has increased the risk in the region, inflaming the situation by arming the Azerbaijanis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pavlovska|first=Elena|date=2020-10-16|title=Pompeo criticizes Turkey's involvement in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/pompeo-criticizes-turkeys-involvement-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=neweurope.eu|publisher=New Europe}}</ref> As of 18 October 2020, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that 2000 mercenaries were recruited in Syria by Turkey and transferred to fight in Nagorno Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/188669/|title=Nagorno-Karabakh battles; Over 2,000 mercenaries sent to Azerbaijan, nearly 135 killed so far. • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=18 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
], which has less mountainous terrain compared to the region's northern and central territories.]] | |||
In a 27 September 2020 interview, regional expert ] said that it was highly unlikely that hostilities were initiated by the Armenian side, as they were already in possession of the disputed territory and were incentivised to normalise the ], while "for various reasons, Azerbaijan calculate that military action w win it something".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ahvalnews.com/azerbaijan-armenia/armenia-lacks-incentives-launch-military-action-now-azerbaijan-moved-first|title=Armenia lacks incentives to launch military action now, Azerbaijan moved in first|first=Thomas|last=de Waal|publisher=Ahval News|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004000353/https://ahvalnews.com/azerbaijan-armenia/armenia-lacks-incentives-launch-military-action-now-azerbaijan-moved-first|url-status=dead}}</ref> The suspected immediate goal of the Azerbaijani offensive was to capture the districts of ] and ] in southern Nagorno-Karabakh, where the terrain is less mountainous and more favourable for offensive operations.<ref name="eurasianet_290920"/> Political scientist Arkady Dubnov of the ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Аркадий Дубнов|url=https://carnegie.ru/commentary/experts/1113|access-date=8 October 2020|publisher=Carnegie Moscow Center|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Аркадий Дубнов|url=https://globalaffairs.ru/authors/arkadij-dubnov/|access-date=8 October 2020|website=Россия в глобальной политике|language=ru}}</ref> believed that Azerbaijan had launched the offensive to improve Azerbaijan's position in a suitable season for hostilities in the terrain.<ref>{{cite web|last=Аркадий|first=Дубнов|title=Карабах: вулкан проснулся — Аркадий Дубнов — В круге СВЕТА — Эхо Москвы, 29.09.2020|url=https://echo.msk.ru/programs/sorokina/2716421-echo/|access-date=8 October 2020|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
===Turkey and Russia=== | |||
On 2 October 2020, Russian investigative newspaper '']'' reported 700–1,000 militants had apparently been sent to Azerbaijan and detailed their transport and recruitment itinerary, referring to the Hamza Division and the Samarkand and Nureddin Zinki Brigades.<ref>{{cite web|title=В бой вступают наемники|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/10/02/87340-v-boy-vstupayut-naemniki|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008030747/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/10/02/87340-v-boy-vstupayut-naemniki|archive-date=2020-10-08|access-date=2020-10-10|website=novayagazeta.ru |publisher=Novaya Gazeta|language=ru}}</ref> The ] stated news about the passage of Syrian fighters from Turkey through Georgia to Azerbaijan was disinformation.<ref name="georgiarefuses">{{cite web|title=В Тбилиси заявили, что боевики из Сирии не перебрасываются в Азербайджан через Грузию|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9619351|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008225014/https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9619351|archive-date=2020-10-08|access-date=2020-10-10|website=tass.ru|agency=TASS|language=ru}}</ref> On 3 October 2020, Elizabeth Tsurkov, an American expert on Syria, reported on videos of Arabic-speaking foreigners, who she identified as likely Syrian mercenaries in ], urging compatriots to join them.<ref name="bbc_061020"/><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-10-03|title=Syrians in the Karabakh conflict zone, geolocated|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008201843/https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|archive-date=2020-10-08}}.</ref> Subsequently, Tsurkov detailed the recruitment, by the Hamza Division and Sultan Murad and Sultan Suleyman Shah Brigades, of at least a thousand mercenaries to Azerbaijan, including civilians with no fighting experience who had been informed they would be guarding ] but were then sent to the front.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=The Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Foreign Wars for Russia and Turkey |url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2020/10/16/the-syrian-mercenaries-fighting-foreign-wars-for-russia-and-turkey/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=nybooks.com|publisher=The New York Review of Books}}</ref> On 5 October 2020, Russian News Agency '']'' stated that 322 Syrian mercenaries were in the conflict zone and that 93 had been killed, while 430 from Syria had already arrived.<ref>{{cite web |title=Источник рассказал о гибели в Карабахе 93 сирийских наемников|url=https://ria.ru/20201005/karabakh-1578209189.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006221356/https://ria.ru/20201005/karabakh-1578209189.html|archive-date=2020-10-06|access-date=2020-10-10|website=ria.ru|publisher=RIA Novosti|language=ru}}</ref> | |||
The ] interests of Russia and Turkey in the region were widely commented upon during the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evnreport.com/politics/the-2020-artsakh-war-what-the-world-lacks-now-is-leadership|first=Daniel|last=Tahmazyan|title=The 2020 Artsakh War: What the World Lacks Now Is Leadership|website=evnreport.com|date=30 November 2020|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> Both were described as benefiting from the ceasefire agreement, with ''The Economist'' stating that for Russia, China and Turkey, "all sides stand to benefit economically".<ref name="economist-bloody">{{cite news|title=A peace deal ends a bloody war over Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/11/14/a-peace-deal-ends-a-bloody-war-over-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=18 November 2020|newspaper=The Economist|date=14 November 2020}}</ref> In late October, ] targeted a training camp for ], one of the largest Turkish-backed Sunni Islamist rebel groups in Syria's Idlib province, killing 78 militants in an act widely interpreted as a warning shot to Ankara over the latter's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh fighting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkish-backed Syrian rebels killed in Russian airstrike|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/turkish-backed-syrian-rebels-killed-in-russian-airstrike/ar-BB1arD6d|access-date=22 November 2020|work=MSN News|date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Air raids in northwest Syria camp kill dozens of rebel fighters|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/26/airstrike-in-northwestern-syria-kills-over-50-rebel-fighters|access-date=22 November 2020|work=Al Jazeera|date=26 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
On 6 October 2020, Russia's ] alleged that several thousand fighters from Middle East terrorist organizations had arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh to fight for Azerbaijan, specifically from ] (] branch), Firkat Hamza, and the Sultan Murad Division, stating all were linked to the ] (ISIL).<ref name="alqaeda">{{cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Разведка доложила: в Карабах прибыли террористы из Сирии и Ливии|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2020/10/06/13283173.shtml?updated|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010122605/https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2020/10/06/13283173.shtml?updated|archive-date=2020-10-10|access-date=2020-10-06|website=gazeta.ru |language=ru}}</ref><ref name="alqaeda1">{{cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Нарышкин назвал "принципиально новое" в конфликте в Карабахе|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/06/10/2020/5f7c5b249a79477685a1fab8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007013945/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/06/10/2020/5f7c5b249a79477685a1fab8|archive-date=2020-10-07|access-date=2020-10-06|website=rbc.ru|publisher=RBK Group|language=ru}}</ref> On 7 October 2020, ] reported that mercenaries allegedly signed up to go to Azerbaijan for US$1,500 a month.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zaza|first=Ahmad|date=2020-10-07 |title=Turkey deploys Syrian mercenaries to Karabakh war|url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/turkey-deploys-syrian-mercenaries-to-karabakh-war/|website=asiatimes.com|publisher=Asia Times}}</ref> '']'' states that during the first week of October up to 1300 Syrian militants and 150 Libyan mercenaries deployed to Azerbaijan.<ref name=":17">{{cite web|last=Cherenko|first=Elena|date=2020-10-16 |title=Принуждение к конфликту|trans-title=Forcing conflict|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4537733|access-date=2020-10-16|website=kommersant.ru|publisher=Kommersant}}</ref> | |||
====Turkey==== | |||
On 16 October 2020, ''Kommersant'' provided details of Turkish military involvement. Turkish servicemen had apparently remained in Azerbaijan after joint military drills this summer, to coordinate and direct the planning and conducting of the operations. Six hundred servicemen had stayed on, including a tactical battalion of 200 people, 50 instructors in ], 90 military advisers in Baku, 120 flight personnel at the airbase in ]; 20 drone operators at ], 50 instructors at the aviabase in ], 50 instructors in the 4th Army Corps in ] and 20 others at the ] and ] in Baku. According to the source, forces included 18 Turkish infantry fighting vehicles, one multiple launch rocket system, 10 vehicles and up to 34 aircraft, including 6 warplanes, 8 helicopters and up to 20 military intelligence drones.<ref name=":17"/> On 17 October 2020, the Armenian National Security Service stated that Azerbaijan is smuggling in a significant amount of ammunition, mercenaries and terrorists from ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286679/|title=Azerbaijan smuggling in more terrorists, arms – Armenia NSS|date=2020-10-17|website=panarmenian.net|publisher=PanARMENIAN.net|access-date=2020-10-17}}</ref> | |||
Azerbaijan and Turkey are bound by ethnic, cultural and historic ties, and both countries refer to ] as being one between "two states, one nation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/turkey-territorial-disputes-azerbaijan-ankara-armenia-9a95d9690569623adedffe8c16f3588d|first=Suzan|last=Fraser|title=AP Explains: What lies behind Turkish support for Azerbaijan|date=20 October 2020|access-date=20 October 2020|work=Associated Press}}</ref> Turkey (then the ]) helped Azerbaijan, previously part of the ] ] in 1918, and became the first country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence from the ] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chinara|last=Musayeva|url=https://tasam.org/Files/Icerik/File/history_of_azerbaijan_-_turkey_relations_e78c28df-19cc-4d90-b290-b5bb571bc6d8.pdf|title=History of Azerbaijan – Turkey Relations|publisher=Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies}}</ref> Turkey has also been the guarantor of the ], an exclave of Azerbaijan, since 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-building-up-forces-in-nakhchivan|first=Zaur|last=Shiriyev|title=Azerbaijan Building Up Forces in Nakhchivan|date=10 August 2017|access-date=20 October 2020|publisher=Eurasianet}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Laçin İdil|last=Öztığ|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/559558|title=TÜRKİYE VE ERMENİSTAN İLİŞKİLERİNDE NAHÇIVAN SORUNU|date=26 January 2018|access-date=20 October 2020|journal=Journal of Modern Turkish History Studies|via=DergiPark|language=tr|volume=36|pages=413–430}}</ref> Other commentators have seen Turkey's support for Azerbaijan as part of an activist foreign policy, linking it with ] policies in ], ], and the Eastern Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ulgen|first=Sinan|title=A Weak Economy Won't Stop Turkey's Activist Foreign Policy|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/06/a-weak-economy-wont-stop-turkeys-activist-foreign-policy/|access-date=15 November 2020|work=Foreign Policy|date=6 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19436149.2018.1549232|doi=10.1080/19436149.2018.1549232|title=Imperial Grandeur and Selective Memory: Re-assessing Neo-Ottomanism in Turkish Foreign and Domestic Politics|year=2019|last=Wastnidge|first=Edward|journal=Middle East Critique|volume=28|pages=7–28|s2cid=149534930}}</ref> Turkey's highly visible role in the conflict was described by Armenians as a continuation of the ], the mass murder and expulsion of 1.5 million Armenians by the ], particularly given Turkey's ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Faulconbridge |first=Guy |date=7 October 2020 |editor-last=Fernandez |editor-first=Clarence |title=Armenia says Turkey seeks to continue genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-pashinyan-idUSKBN26S0OS |access-date=22 October 2020 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey actions amount to "terroristic attack", continuation of genocide: Armenian PM|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/10/07/Turkey-actions-amount-to-terroristic-attack-continuation-of-genocide-Armenian-PM|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=7 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |last2=McKernan |first2=Bethan |date=3 October 2020 |title="Defend our nation": Armenian diaspora feels pull of another war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/03/armenian-diaspora-feels-pull-of-another-war-kardashian-azerbaijan |access-date=23 October 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hincks |first=Joseph |date=6 October 2020 |title=Armenia's Prime Minister Accuses Turkey of 'Reinstating the Ottoman Empire' in Sending Mercenaries to Nagorno Karabakh |url=https://time.com/5896422/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-2020/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006102529/https://time.com/5896422/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-2020/ |archive-date=6 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |website=]}}</ref> Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan, including military experts and Syrian mercenaries.<ref name="economist-bloody"/> The transport communications stipulated by the ceasefire agreement, linking Nakhchivan and the main part of Azerbaijan through Armenia, would provide Turkey with trade access to ] and China's ].<ref name="economist-bloody"/> | |||
====Russia==== | |||
The SOHR confirmed a total of 320 Syrian fighters in Azerbaijan, primarily of Syrian-Turkmen descent from the ], and initially stated that they had not participated in the clashes. It stated that Arab-majority Syrian rebel groups had in fact refused to send their fighters to Azerbaijan.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|date=2020-09-29|title=SOHR {{!}} Reports of 4,000 Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in Azerbaijan untrue|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/186142/|access-date=2020-10-01|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|archive-date=2020-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004073720/https://www.syriahr.com/en/186142/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 October 2020, the SOHR confirmed the deaths of 28 Syrian fighters and nearly 60 injured or missing.<ref name="SOHR01">{{cite news|date=1 October 2020|title=Nagorno-Karabakh battles – Nearly 30 Turkish-backed Syrian mercenaries killed in 48 hours, over 60 others missing|website=syriahr.com|publisher=SOHR |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/186420/|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004151400/https://www.syriahr.com/en/186420/|archive-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> On 3 November 2020, the SOHR stated that at least 250 pro-Turkey Syrian rebel fighters, who were among more than 2,580 combatants, had been killed in clashes.<ref name="syriandead"/> An unidentified SNA leader, the Jesr Press and a '']'' article confirmed the deaths of dozens of Syrian fighters.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carley|first1=Patricia|date=September 29, 2020|title=Turkey recruiting Syrians to guard troops and facilities in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-syrians-recruiting-guard-facilities|publisher=Middle East Eye|quote="These situations are dangerous and this is not our battle, the Shia have been our number one enemy supporting the Syrian regime for 10 years", he said, adding that they will not just be used as guards and 30 Syrians have already been killed in fighting on the front.|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002075651/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-syrians-recruiting-guard-facilities|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Press jesr: Number of killed Syrian mercenaries in Nagorno Karabakh grows to 30|url=https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2020/09/30/syrian-mercenaries/1749092|access-date=2020-10-10|archive-date=2020-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004151406/https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2020/09/30/syrian-mercenaries/1749092|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McKernan|first=Bethan|date=2 October 2020|title=Syrian recruit describes role of foreign fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh|newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/syrian-recruit-describes-role-of-foreign-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009090919/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/02/syrian-recruit-describes-role-of-foreign-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 October 2020, '']'' reported the deaths in Karabakh of more than 50 Syrian mercenaries, most of them hired by Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fahim|first=Kareem|last2=Khurshudyan|first2=Isabelle |last3=Zakaria|first3=Zakaria|title=Deaths of Syrian mercenaries show how Turkey, Russia could get sucked into Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-nagorno-karabakh/2020/10/13/2cdca1e6-08bf-11eb-8719-0df159d14794_story.html|access-date=2020-10-16|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/azerbaijan-armenia-turkey-nagorno-karabakh/2020/10/13/2cdca1e6-08bf-11eb-8719-0df159d14794_story.html|title=Deaths of Syrian mercenaries show how Turkey, Russia could get sucked into Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|date=2020-10-14|website=washingtonpost.com|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> Prime Minister Pashinyan in an interview given to French newspaper '']'' wrote that 30% of Azerbaijani forces killed in hostilities were foreign mercenaries.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Haut-Karabakh: la guerre n'aurait pas commencé "sans l'engagement actif de la Turquie", affirme le Premier ministre arménien|url=https://video.lefigaro.fr/figaro/video/haut-karabakh-la-guerre-naurait-pas-commence-sans-lengagement-actif-de-la-turquie-affirme-le-premier-ministre-armenien/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=lefigaro.fr|publisher=Le Figaro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-06|title="The international community must intervene as swiftly as possible to prevent the spread of violence" – PM Pashinyan's interview with Le Figaro|url=https://www.primeminister.am/en/interviews-and-press-conferences/item/2020/10/02/Nikol-Pashinyan-interview-Le-Figaro/ |access-date=2020-10-06|website=primeminister.am|publisher=Government of Armenia}}</ref> | |||
Russia had sought to maintain good ] and had sold weapons to both parties. Even prior to the war, Russia had possessed a ] as part of a ], and thus was obligated by treaty to defend Armenia in the case of a war. Like in Syria and in Libya's ongoing civil war, Russia and NATO-member Turkey therefore had opposing interests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bremmer |first=Ian |date=October 2020 |title=Why The Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Could Spiral Into A Larger Regional Conflict |url=https://time.com/5894934/armenia-azerbaijan-fighting-regional-conflict/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002150542/https://time.com/5894934/armenia-azerbaijan-fighting-regional-conflict/ |archive-date=2 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |website=]}}</ref> Turkey appeared to use the conflict to attempt to leverage its influence in the South Caucasus along its eastern border, using both military and diplomatic resources to extend its sphere of influence in the Middle East, and to marginalise the influence of Russia, another ].<ref>{{cite web|date=29 September 2020|title=Is Turkey a brother in arms or just extending its footprint into Nagorno-Karabakh?|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200929-is-turkey-a-brother-in-arms-or-just-extending-its-footprint-into-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=4 October 2020|publisher=France 24}}</ref><ref name="nyt_011020">{{cite news|last=Gall|first=Carlotta|date=1 October 2020|title=Turkey Jumps Into Another Foreign Conflict, This Time in the Caucasus|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/world/middleeast/turkey-azerbaijan-armenia-war.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002183006/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/world/middleeast/turkey-azerbaijan-armenia-war.html |archive-date=2 October 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Russia had historically pursued a policy of maintaining neutrality in the conflict, and Armenia never formally requested aid.<ref name="russiamatters01"/> According to the director of the Russia studies program at the ], at the beginning of the war Russia was judged to be unlikely to intervene militarily unless Armenia incurred drastic losses.<ref name="russiamatters01"/> The Russian MoFA also released a statement, saying that Russia will provide Armenia with "all the necessary assistance" if the war continued on the territories of Armenia, as both countries are part of the ].<ref></ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9ca3163a-d267-4ac2-bfc3-77f86995dc75|title=Armenia calls for Russian help as fight with Azerbaijan intensifies|newspaper=Financial Times|date=November 2020|url-access=subscription|last1=Foy|first1=Henry|last2=Seddon|first2=Max}}</ref> Nonetheless, when the Azerbaijani forces reportedly struck the Armenian territories on 14 October 2020, Russia did not directly interfere in the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agayev |first1=Zulfugar |last2=Khojoyan |first2=Sara |date=14 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan Attack on Armenia Raises Stakes in Karabakh Conflict |publisher=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-14/azerbaijan-attack-on-armenia-raises-stakes-in-karabakh-conflict |access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
In a piece published by the Russian broadsheet {{lang|ru-latn|]}} on 10 November, Konstantin Makienko, a member of the ] Defence Committee, wrote that the geopolitical consequences of the war were "catastrophic" not only for Armenia but for Russia as well, because Moscow's influence in the Southern Caucasus had dwindled while "the prestige of a successful and feisty Turkey, contrariwise, had increased immensely".<ref>{{cite news |author=Makienko |first=Konstantin |date=10 November 2020 |title=Как Россия проиграла во второй карабахской войне |language=ru |newspaper=Vedomosti |url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/opinion/articles/2020/11/10/846462-rossiya-proigrala}}</ref> Alexander Gabuev of the ] took the opposite view, describing the peace agreement as "a win for Russia", as it had "prevented the conclusive defeat of Nagorno-Karabakh" and, by placing Russia in charge of the strategic Lachin corridor, boosted the country's leverage in the region.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gabuev|first=Alexander|title=Viewpoint: Russia and Turkey – unlikely victors of Karabakh conflict|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54903869|access-date=18 November 2020|work=BBC News|agency=Carnegie Moscow Center|date=12 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
The relative success of Azerbaijan in meeting its strategic goals to gain control over Nagorno-Karabakh via the use of military force may have influenced the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Anna |date=2023-02-20 |title=Why Is the EU Deploying a Mission in Armenia and What to Expect? |url=https://evnreport.com/politics/why-is-the-eu-deploying-a-mission-in-armenia-and-what-to-expect/ |website=EVN Report |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
] has suspended the export of its drone technology to Turkey over concerns that it is using the technology in the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-05|title=Canada to suspend arms exports to Turkey over Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict allegations|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7379529/canada-arms-exports-turkey/|website=globalnews.ca|publisher=Global News}}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Military tactics === | ||
] at 2020 ]. Bayraktar TB2 drones were used extensively by Azerbaijani forces during the war.]] | |||
On 28 September 2020, the Azerbaijani MoD alleged that among the Armenian casualties were "mercenaries" of Armenian origin from Syria and a variety of Middle East countries.<ref name="Syrianmercs">{{cite news |date=28 September 2020|title=Vagif Dargahli: 'There are mercenaries of Armenian origin from Syria and different countries of the Middle East among the losses of the enemy' |website=apa.az|url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Vagif-Dargahli:-%22There-are-mercenaries-of-Armenian-origin-from-Syria-and-different-countries-of-the-Middle-East-among-the-losses-of-the-enemy%22-331402|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929174638/https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Vagif-Dargahli:-%22There-are-mercenaries-of-Armenian-origin-from-Syria-and-different-countries-of-the-Middle-East-among-the-losses-of-the-enemy%22-331402|archive-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On the same day, the ] stated that Armenia must "send back the mercenaries and terrorists it brought from abroad".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-urges-armenia-to-end-occupation-in-upper-karabakh-158669|title=Erdoğan urges Armenia to 'end occupation in Upper Karabakh'|newspaper=Hurriyet Daily News|date=28 September 2020|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008022039/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-urges-armenia-to-end-occupation-in-upper-karabakh-158669|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, Azerbaijani authorities asked the international community to "adequately respond to the use of terrorist forces by Armenia".<ref name="ASALAinvolvement">{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/domestic-news/Hikmet-Hajiyev:-%22International-community-should-adequately-respond-to-the-use-of-terrorist-forces-by-Armenian-against-Azerbaijan%22-331711|title=Hikmet Hajiyev: "International community should adequately respond to the use of terrorist forces by Armenian against Azerbaijan"|website=apa.az|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001061433/https://apa.az/en/domestic-news/Hikmet-Hajiyev:-%22International-community-should-adequately-respond-to-the-use-of-terrorist-forces-by-Armenian-against-Azerbaijan%22-331711|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 September 2020, the SOHR also stated that Armenian-born Syrian fighters were being transported to Armenia to fight against Azerbaijan.<ref name="SyrianArmenian">{{cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict {{!}} First Syrian fighter of Ankara-backed factions killed in Azerbaijan|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/186288/|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005180045/https://www.syriahr.com/en/186288/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, Azerbaijani authorities stated that Armenia had widely employed foreign "terrorist forces" and "mercenaries" against it, with there being evidence of people of Armenian origin from the ], especially ] and ], and subsequently ], ], ], the ], and other countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apa.az/en/frontline-news/Azerbaijani-MFA:-Foreign-terrorist-and-mercenaries-being-used-by-Armenia-against-Azerbaijan-332119|title=Azerbaijani MFA: Foreign terrorist and mercenaries being used by Armenia against Azerbaijan|website=apa.az|date=5 October 2020|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> A ] report, citing ] intelligence, stated around 500 ethnic Armenian Lebanese had travelled to fight in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/10/02/87340-v-boy-vstupayut-naemniki|title=В бой вступают наемники|date=2 October 2020|access-date=13 October 2020|website=novayagazeta.ru|last=el-Hayek|first=Wadih|archive-url=https://archive.is/ki0sC|archive-date=4 October 2020 |language=ru}}</ref> An Armenian defence ministry official has said many from the diaspora applied to volunteer without giving a precise number. Hundreds from as far afield as ] and the ] have rushed back to Armenia for combat training, a local instructor says. Karapet Aghajanyan, the combat instructor in ], who trains local and foreign volunteers, told ] around 10 Lebanese-Armenians have received training in his camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-lebanon-idUKKBN27H157|title=Despite Lebanon's woes, Armenians spring to action for Nagorno-Karabakh|first=Maria Semerdjian, Ellen|last=Francis|date=1 November 2020|website=reuters.com}}</ref> ] spoke to soldiers including Armenian diaspora from ] fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20201027-armenian-diaspora-pitches-in-as-nagorno-karabakh-truce-crumbles|title=Armenian diaspora pitches in as Nagorno-Karabakh truce crumbles|date=27 October 2020|website=france24.com}}</ref> | |||
Azerbaijan's oil wealth allowed a consistently higher ] than Armenia,<ref name="economist-bloody"/> and it purchased advanced weapons systems from Israel, Russia and Turkey.<ref name=":5"/> Despite the similar size of both militaries, Azerbaijan possessed superior tanks, armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles,<ref name=":6"/> and had also amassed a fleet of Turkish and Israeli drones. Armenia built its own drones, but these were greatly inferior to the Turkish and Israeli drones owned by Azerbaijan.<ref name=":6"/> Azerbaijan had a quantitative advantage in artillery systems, particularly ]s and long-range ]s, while Armenia had a minor advantage in ]s.<ref name=warontherocks/> Because of the air defence systems of both sides, there was little use of manned aviation during the conflict.<ref name=":6"/> In the opinion of military analyst ], Director of the Russia Studies Program at the ] and a Fellow at the ], Azerbaijan deployed mercenaries from Syria to minimise Azeri troop casualties: "They took quite a few casualties early on, especially in the south-east, and these mercenaries were essentially used as expendable assault troops to go in the first wave. They calculated quite cynically that if it turned out these offensives were not successful early on, then it was best these casualties would be among mercenaries not Azerbaijani forces."<ref name="bbckofman">{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Ed|title=The Syrian mercenaries used as 'cannon fodder' in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55238803|date=10 December 2020|website=]}}</ref> | |||
=== Kurdish militias === | |||
{{See also|Armenian–Kurdish relations}} | |||
According to Gustav Gressel, a Senior Policy Fellow at the ], the Armenian Army was superior to the Azerbaijani Army on a tactical level, with better officers, more agile leadership, and higher motivation in soldiers but these were overcome by Azerbaijan's innovative use of drones to discover Armenian forward and reserve positions followed by conventional artillery and ballistic missiles to isolate and destroy Armenian forces.<ref name=ecfr/> Gressel argues that European militaries are not better prepared for anti-drone warfare than Armenia's (with only France and Germany having some limited jamming capabilities) and warns that a lack of gun-based self-propelled air-defence systems and radar systems capable of tracking drones (using "plot-fusion" of several radar echoes) makes European forces extremely vulnerable to loitering munitions and small drones.<ref name=ecfr/> | |||
On 30 September 2020, Turkish sources alleged that approximately 300 ] militants were transported to Nagorno-Karabakh via Iran. However, these claims were not substantiated by evidence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/turkey-iran-russia-benefit-from-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-analysis-646951|title=Turkey, Iran, Russia benefit from Azerbaijan, Armenia conflict – analysis|date=2020-10-26|author=Seth J. Frantzman|website=jpost.com|publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/question-of-syrian-mercenaries-takes-over-armenia-azerbaijan-information-war|title=Question of Syrian mercenaries takes over Armenia-Azerbaijan information war|date=2020-10-01|website=eurasianet.org|publisher=]}}</ref> The Armenian President, Armen Sarkissian, has denied the Turkish allegations of PKK fighters being present in Armenia, describing them as "absolute nonsense".<ref>{{cite news|date=29 September 2020|title=Turkish claims of PKK fighters in Armenia absolute nonsense: Armen Sarkissian|website=alarabia.net|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2020/09/30/Turkish-claims-of-PKK-fighters-in-Armenia-absolute-nonsense-Armen-Sarkissian|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> On 6 October 2020, the ] (SSS) claimed, citing intercepts, that Armenia had employed foreign mercenaries, including members of Kurdish militant groups whom Armenia had brought from ] and Syria, to fight Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/accidents-incidents-news/SSS-announces-facts-approving-fighting-of-PKK-terrorists-on-the-Armenian-side-against-Azerbaijan-332242|title=SSS announces facts, approving fighting of PKK terrorists on the Armenian side against Azerbaijan|website=apa.az|date=5 October 2020|access-date=5 October 2020|quote=The Republic of Armenia uses foreign mercenaries, including members of the Kurdish terrorist groups whom Armenia has brought from Iraq and Syria, in its aggression against Azerbaijan, Public Relations Department of the State Security Service (SSS) told APA. State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan has intercepted conversations of the terrorists related to the PKK who are participating in combat activities against Azerbaijan. According to the intercepted conversations, the terrorists discuss the precarious situation on Armenia's side and numerous losses. They also talk about how the Azerbaijani side effectively uses drones and regret that they have come to the war zone being deceived by the Armenians. Here we present the above-mentioned materials.}}</ref> On the same day, Russia's ] alleged that there were Kurdish extremist groups, which, according to '']'', are fighting on the Armenian side, while there is no direct evidence of it.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kirill|last=Semenov|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/10/russia-recuit-syria-kurds-fighting-armenia-azerbaijan.html#ixzz6bcB3Sdip|title=Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict?|publisher=Al-Monitor|date=14 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|quote=In this context, it was beneficial for the Russian side to stress the presence of "Kurdish extremist groups", which, according to the intelligence service, came to participate in the conflict on the side of Armenia. While there is no direct evidence of this yet, the potential deployment of Kurdistan Workers Party units or affiliated organizations in the zone of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict would be extremely sensitive for Turkey. If confirmed, instead of Ankara having eliminated the "Kurdish threat" at the southern borders of the country, a "terrorist hotbed" could be being created at Turkey's northern borders. This could be one price of Turkey's support for Azerbaijan.}}</ref> This was denied by Armenia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/608647.html|title=Armenian President: We must negotiate with Turkey as a party to the conflict, not as a mediator|date=2020-10-18 |website=news.am|publisher=News.am}}</ref> | |||
In the opinion of a ] magazine contributor, Azerbaijan managed to inflict a devastating and decisive defeat through adept usage of sophisticated military hardware which avoided bogging down in a costly war of attrition. According to Forbes, Azerbaijan had prepared itself for tomorrow's war rather than a repeat of yesterday's war.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iddon |first1=Paul |title=The Last Azerbaijan-Armenia War Changed How Small Nations Fight Modern Battles |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2021/03/25/the-last-azerbaijan-armenia-war-redefined-how-small-nations-fight-modern-battles/ |access-date=28 March 2021 |agency=Forbes |date=28 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
=== Arms supplies === | |||
==== Israel ==== | |||
Israel, a major trading partner and weapons supplier for Azerbaijan, is reported to have continued to ship weapons, especially drones, during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-30|title=Israel sending weapons to Azerbaijan as fight with Armenia rages on: Sources|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/10/01/Israel-sending-weapons-to-Azerbaijan-as-fight-with-Armenia-rages-on-Sources|access-date=2020-10-07|publisher=Al Arabiya English|archive-date=2020-10-03|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201003120240/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2020/10/01/Israel-sending-weapons-to-Azerbaijan-as-fight-with-Armenia-rages-on-Sources|url-status=live}}</ref> Nikol Pashinyan heavily criticized Israel for selling arms to Azerbaijan and its allies saying that they are working with "mercenaries and terrorists", who are targeting peaceful population.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/armenian-pm-to-post-israel-joins-forces-with-the-devil-647790?fbclid=IwAR0xp4eFD3InNMqKPeGZyrZ3PxBn2VmafimourA4N_l-WN8EzMS9rJ_xJis|title=Armenian PM to Post: Israel joins forces with the devil|website=jpost.com|publisher=the Jerusalem Post|date=2020-11-03}}</ref><ref name="Israel1">{{cite web|url=https://hyepress.com/2020/11/03/pashinyan-to-israel-you-lined-yourselves-up-with-turkey-terrorists-and-syrian-mercenaries/?fbclid=IwAR3ERqKFQzhyvoP64rIyA6ZwcbLoN1F_bH5C1y2cq9sXTti3FtMhG0Vic8U|title=Pashinyan To Israel: You've Aligned With Turkey, Terrorists And Syrian Mercenaries|date=2020-11-03|website=hyepress.com|publisher=Hye Press|quote=Israel has armed Azerbaijan with advanced military including killer drones and illegal cluster bombs outlawed by the UN. Pashinyan says Israel is arming Azerbaijan who is carrying out a second Armenian Genocide – this time in Karabakh.}}</ref> | |||
The ] presented a summary of analyses by Russian military experts, who concluded that the Azerbaijani victory was not just a result of drone warfare and Turkish assistance, but could actually be attributed to a number of other factors, such as a more professional army with recent battlefield experience, employment by Armenia of Soviet-era tactics against the modern warfare waged by Azerbaijan, a strong national will to fight on part of Azerbaijan compared to irresolute Armenian leadership, and the Armenians believing their own propaganda and underestimating the enemy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stronell |first1=Alexander |title=Learning the lessons of Nagorno-Karabakh the Russian way |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/03/lessons-of-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=28 March 2021 |agency=IISS |date=10 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
==== Russia, Iran and Georgia ==== | |||
During the conflict, Azerbaijani and Iranian media reported that Russian weaponry and military hardware were being transported to Armenia via Iran.<ref name="bneIranArmeniaarmsshipment">{{cite news |url=https://www.intellinews.com/iran-denies-allowing-passage-of-weapons-into-armenia-after-video-emerges-on-social-media-192945/|title=Iran denies allowing passage of weapons into Armenia after video emerges on social media|website=intellinews.com|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On 29 September 2020, the ] denied these reports.<ref name="Irandeniesarmstrade1">{{cite web|url=https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/NewsView/612094|title=Spokesman Denies Claim That Arms Transferred via Iran to Armenia|website=mfa.gov.ir|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930142643/https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/NewsView/612094|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, Azerbaijani government-affiliated media outlets shared footage reportedly showing the materiel being transported.<ref name="AzerbaijanclaimsIRARMarmstrade1">{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Video-footages-spread-regarding-weapons-and-military-equipment-transport-from-Iran-to-Armenia-colorredNEW-FACTScolor-colorredVIDEOcolor-331624|title=Video footages spread regarding weapons and military equipment transport from Iran to Armenia|website=apa.az|date=30 September 2020 |access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930142803/https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Video-footages-spread-regarding-weapons-and-military-equipment-transport-from-Iran-to-Armenia-colorredNEW-FACTScolor-colorredVIDEOcolor-331624|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AzerbaijanclaimsIRARMarmstrade2">{{cite news |url=https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/169670.html|title=Military supplies for Armenia being shipped through Iran|website=azernews.az|publisher=AzerNews|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930142908/https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/169670.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3307948.html|title=Military supplies for Armenia being shipped through Iran|website=trend.az|publisher=Trend News Agency|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930143038/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3307948.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijani MP ] alleged that Iran was engaged in transporting weapons from various countries to Armenia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://report.az/milli-meclis/mm-kubada-sefirlik-tesis-olunmasi-layihesini-qebul-etdi/|title=Deputat: "İran müxtəlif ölkələrdən gələn silah-sursatı Ermənistana daşımaqla məşğuldur"|website=report.az|publisher=Report Information Agency|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020 |language=az|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930143135/https://report.az/milli-meclis/mm-kubada-sefirlik-tesis-olunmasi-layihesini-qebul-etdi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, in the Azerbaijani Parliament, Rustamkhanli suggested opening an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Opening-Azerbaijani-Embassy-to-Israel-suggested-in-Azerbaijani-Parliament-331631|title=Opening Azerbaijani Embassy to Israel suggested in Azerbaijani Parliament|website=apa.az|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930121234/https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Opening-Azerbaijani-Embassy-to-Israel-suggested-in-Azerbaijani-Parliament-331631|url-status=live}}</ref> The ], in a phone call with the ], denied the reports and stated that they were aimed at disrupting both countries' ].<ref name="Irandeniesarmstrade2">{{cite news |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2841669/%D8%B4%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%DA%A9-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|title=شایعات مبنی بر کمک ایران به ارمنستان کاملا بی اساس است|website=iribnews.ir |publisher=Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|language=fa|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930143337/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2841669/%D8%B4%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%DA%A9-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|url-status=live}}</ref> Iranian state-affiliated media stated that trucks depicted in the footage consisted of shipments of ] trucks that the Armenian government had previously purchased from Russia.<ref name="Irandeniesarmstrade4">{{cite news|url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2841827/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AE%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86|title=انتقال کامیونهای روسی از خاک ایران!|website=iribnews.ir|publisher=Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|date=29 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|language=fa|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930143710/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2841827/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AE%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the opinion voiced by Russian military expert Vladimir Yevseev after the war, for unclear reasons Armenia appeared not to have executed the mobilisation it had announced and hardly any mobilised personnel were deployed to the conflict area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/30956980.html|title=РФ могла оказывать поддержку только с территории Ирана|newspaper=Радио Свобода |date=18 November 2020|language=ru|last1=Рыковцева |first1=Елена }}</ref> | |||
Azerbaijan's president initially stated that ] had not allowed the transportation of weapons through its territory and thanked Georgia, as a partner and friend.<ref>{{cite news |title=Azerbaijani president Aliyev: Georgia has prevented transit for arms supply for Armenia|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2914|publisher=agenda.ge|date=September 2020}}</ref> However, in a subsequent interview, he alleged that Armenia was misusing one of its ] cargo planes for civil flights, to secretly transport fighters and ] from Russia through Georgian airspace into Armenia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Алиев: Иран и Грузия закрыли воздушное пространство и наземные дороги для доставки оружия в Армению|url=https://report.az/ru/nagorno-karabakhskiy-konflikt/aliev-iran-i-gruziya-zakryli-vozdushnoe-prostranstvo-i-nazemnye-dorogi-dlya-dostavki-oruzhiya-v-armeniyu/|access-date=2020-10-28|website=Информационное Агентство Репорт|language=ru}}</ref> Georgia responded by stating that its airspace was closed to all military and military cargo flights but not for civil and humanitarian ones.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-17|title=Karabakh: Georgia Says Not Responsible for Civilian Flights|url=https://civil.ge/archives/375897|access-date=2020-10-28|website=civil.ge}}</ref> | |||
==== |
==== Drone warfare ==== | ||
] (green) is one of several pipelines running from Baku.]] | |||
Azerbaijan has stated that Armenia is employing Serbian weapons, alleged to have been transported via Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serbia is Playing With Fire, Delivering Arms to Armenia {{!}} Balkan Insight|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/02/serbia-is-playing-with-fire-delivering-arms-to-armenia/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=balkaninsight.com|archive-date=2020-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006182614/https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/02/serbia-is-playing-with-fire-delivering-arms-to-armenia/|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, the ], ], stated that Serbia considers both Armenia and Azerbaijan to be friends and "brotherly nations", insisting that Serbian weapons were not being used in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://globalvoices.org/2020/10/08/serbian-government-first-flaunts-then-denies-having-sold-weapons-to-both-armenia-and-azerbaijan/|title=Serbian government first flaunts, then denies having sold weapons to both Armenia and Azerbaijan|date=8 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009221751/https://globalvoices.org/2020/10/08/serbian-government-first-flaunts-then-denies-having-sold-weapons-to-both-armenia-and-azerbaijan/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Azerbaijan made devastating use of drones and sensors, demonstrating what ''The Economist'' described as a "new, more affordable type of air power".<ref name=":5"/> Azerbaijani drones, notably the Turkish-made ], carried out precise ] as well as ], relaying the coordinates of targets to Azerbaijani artillery.<ref name=":0"/> Commentators noted how drones enabled small countries to conduct effective air campaigns, potentially making ] much more deadly.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roblin|first=Sébastien|title=How an explosion of cheap armed drones is changing the nature of warfare|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/cheap-drones-china-turkey-israel-are-fueling-conflicts-armenia-azerbaijan-ncna1243246|website=NBC News|date=14 October 2020 }}</ref> ] was provided by specialised suicide drones such as the Israeli-made ] ], rendering tanks vulnerable and suggesting the need for changes to armoured warfare doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parakilas|first=Jacob|title=Tanks versus Drones Isn't Rock, Paper, Scissors|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/tanks-vs-drones-isnt-rock-paper-scissors/|access-date=15 October 2020|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> Another suicide drone, the Turkish-made ], was also reportedly used by Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mehmet |first=Fatih |date=29 October 2020 |title=STM'nin yerli kamikaze İHA'sı KARGU Azerbaycan'da görüldü |url=https://www.defenceturk.net/stmnin-yerli-kamikaze-ihasi-kargu-azerbaycanda-goruldu |language=tr}}</ref><ref name=cnnturk/> | |||
==== Targeting of pipelines ==== | |||
== International reactions == | |||
Concerns were raised about the security of the ].<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Byrne |first=David |date=9 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses threat to regional energy corridor |publisher=Eurasianet |url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-armenia-conflict-poses-threat-to-regional-energy-corridor}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BP "deeply concerned" as pipeline attack raises stakes in Azerbaijan conflict|url=https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/100720-bp-deeply-concerned-as-pipeline-attack-raises-stakes-in-azerbaijan-conflict|publisher=S&P Global|date=7 October 2020}}</ref> Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia targeted, or tried to target, the ], which accounted for around 80% of country's oil exports, and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Armenia-tries-to-target-Baku-Novorossiysk-pipeline-leading-to-Russia.html|title=Armenia tries to target Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline leading to Russia|date=19 October 2020|website=vestnikkavkaza.net|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130230936/https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Armenia-tries-to-target-Baku-Novorossiysk-pipeline-leading-to-Russia.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rehimov |first=Ruslan |date=6 October 2020 |title=Armenia reportedly attacks Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline |publisher=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/armenia-reportedly-attacks-baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-pipeline/1998053}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan warns over pipelines as Nagorno-Karabakh tensions rise|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/azerbaijan/news/azerbaijan-warns-over-pipelines-as-nagorno-karabakh-tensions-rise/|publisher=EURACTIV|date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Armenia rejected the accusations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Azerbaijan Says Pipeline Targeted In Fighting; Armenia Rejects Accusation|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-says-pipeline-targeted-in-fighting-armenia-rejects-accusation/30879737.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=7 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
=== OSCE Minsk Group === | |||
On 2 October 2020, the ], responsible for mediating the ] in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict since 1992, condemned the fighting and called on those involved in the conflict to respect their ]. The Minsk Group stated that participation by "external parties" was working against the peace process. The group called for an immediate ceasefire, and "substantive negotiations, in good faith and without preconditions".<ref name="MinskGroup_2Oct2020"/> | |||
==== Use of propaganda ==== | |||
=== Supranational and regional organizations === | |||
] began displaying footage released by the Armenian Ministry of Defence at the beginning of the conflict.]] | |||
], Baghdad Amreyev, in ] on 2 November 2020.]] | |||
{{See also|State-sponsored Internet propaganda}} | |||
Both sides engaged in extensive ] campaigns through official mainstream and social media accounts magnified online,<ref name=":1"/> including in Russian media. Video from drones recording their kills was used in highly effective Azerbaijani propaganda.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":5"/> In Baku, digital billboards broadcast high-resolution footage of missiles striking Armenian soldiers, tanks, and materiel. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev told Turkish television that Azerbaijani-operated drones had reduced the number of Azerbaijan's casualties, stating, "These drones show Turkey's strength" and "empower" Azerbaijanis.<ref name=":6"/> | |||
==== Cyberwarfare ==== | |||
] ] called for a bilateral cessation of hostilities, as did the ] (OSCE)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gumrukcu|first1=Tuvan|last2=Tétrault-Farber|first2=Gabrielle|last3=Soldatkin|first3=Vladimir|editor1-last=Heritage|editor1-first=Timothy|editor2-last=Evans|editor2-first=David|editor3-last=Wallis |editor3-first=Daniel|title=Armenia–Azerbaijan clashes kill at least 16, undermine regional stability|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-kill-at-least-16-undermine-regional-stability-idUSKBN26I06E?il=0|access-date=27 September 2020|agency=Reuters|date=27 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928175742/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-kill-at-least-16-undermine-regional-stability-idUSKBN26I06E?il=0|url-status=live }}</ref> on 1 October and 5 October 2020, and ] ] followed by the ] (UNSC). Following a closed council meeting, the Security Council issued a statement. It condemned the use of force and reiterated the Secretary-General's call to immediately cease fighting, deescalate tensions and return to meaningful negotiations. It further expressed concern at "large scale military actions", regret at the death toll and impact on civilian populations, and complete support for the "central role" of the OSCE, urging both sides to cooperate towards an urgent return of dialogue without setting preconditions.<ref name="f24_300920" /> On 18 October 2020, the UN Secretary-General again called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to respect the humanitarian truce and condemned attacks on civilians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melimopoulos|first=Arwa Ibrahim,Elizabeth|title=UN chief urges Nagorno-Karabakh rivals to respect truce |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/18/armenia-accuses-azerbaijan-of-violating-truce-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-10-19|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> Similarly, Secretary General of ], ], expressed deep concern for the escalation of hostilities and called for the sides to immediately halt fighting and progress towards a peaceful resolution, urging NATO-member Turkey to use its influence to that end.<ref name="UPI">{{cite news|title=NATO to continue to support Turkey, Secretary-General says|url=https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/10/05/NATO-to-continue-to-support-Turkey-Secretary-General-says/1431601916532/|publisher=United Press International|date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{cite web|title=NATO chief tells Turkey to help calm Karabakh conflict |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1996983/nato-chief-tells-turkey-to-help-calm-karabakh-conflict|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Bangkok Post|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Stoltenberg expressed NATO's neutrality and said that both "Armenia and Azerbaijan have been valued NATO partners for more than 25 years".<ref>{{cite news|title=Armenian president accuses Turkey in visit to NATO |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/armenian-president-accuses-turkey-in-visit-to-nato-905323.html|publisher=Deccan Herald|date=21 October 2020}}</ref> NATO and the ] (EU) have refused to publicly criticize Turkey's involvement in the conflict.<ref name="UPI"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Nato and EU silent on Turkey, despite Armenia's appeal |url=https://euobserver.com/foreign/149833|publisher=EUobserver|date=23 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
Hackers from Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as their allied countries have waged ], with Azerbaijani hackers targeting Armenian websites and posting Aliyev's statements,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/azerbaijani-hackers-broke-into-over-90-armenian-websites-video/|title=Azerbaijani hackers broke into over 90 armenian websites – VIDEO|website=azerbaycan24.com|date=27 September 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> and Greek hackers targeting Azerbaijani governmental websites.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://artsakh.news/en/news/190391|title=Greek hackers from Anonymous Greece hacked 159 state websites of Azerbaijan|website=artsakhnews|date=23 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> There have been coordinated messages posted from both sides. ] and videos of older events and other conflicts have been shared as new. New social media accounts posting about Armenia and Azerbaijan have spiked, with many from authentic users, but many inauthentic also.<ref>{{cite web|last=Giles|first=Christopher|title=Nagorno-Karabakh: The Armenian-Azeri "information wars"|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54614392|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 October 2020|date=26 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fighting Over Nagorno-Karabakh Spells Spike For Twitter And Its Hashtag Narratives|url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/nagorno-karabakh-figiting-spike-twitter-hashtag-narratives-armenia-azerbaijan/30894315.html|publisher=Gandhara|access-date=27 October 2020|date=15 October 2020}}</ref> According to the EU Parliament, Azerbaijani information operations also specifically aimed at harassing Armenia social media users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kovatchev |first=Andrey |date=2023-02-20 |title=REPORT on EU-Armenia relations {{!}} A9-0036/2023 {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2023-0036_EN.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en |quote="Armenia is the target of Azerbaijani information operations, in particular with the aim of harassing social media users and disseminating false information"}}</ref> | |||
== Official statements == | |||
Secretary General of the ] ] demanded that Azerbaijan cease hostilities,<ref>{{cite web|last=OAS|date=2020-09-27|title=OAS – Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development|url=https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-098/20|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001013846/https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-098%2F20|archive-date=2020-10-01|access-date=2020-09-28|publisher=OAS – Organization of American States}}</ref> whereas the ] demanded an unconditional withdrawal of Armenia from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turkkon.org/en/haberler/statement-of-the-secretary-general-of-the-turkic-council_2075|title=Statement of the Secretary General of the Turkic Council|website=turkkon.org|publisher=Turkic Council|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020 |archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928175702/https://www.turkkon.org/en/haberler/statement-of-the-secretary-general-of-the-turkic-council_2075|url-status=dead}}</ref> and adding that ] have stood by "brotherly Azerbaijan".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1101060499/We-as-the-Turkic-Council-and-the-Turkic-world-have-stood-by-brotherly-Azerbaijan-Turkic-Council-SecGe|title=We, as the Turkic Council and the Turkic world, have stood by brotherly Azerbaijan – Turkic Council SecGen|date=3 November 2020}}</ref> The ] initially condemned Armenian "provocations"<ref>{{cite web|title=OIC Condemns Repeated Provocations and Aggresion by Armenian Military Forces against Azerbaijan|url=https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=23879&ref=14184&lan=en|url-status=live|website=Organisation of Islamic Cooperation}}</ref> and subsequently expressed concern regarding Armenia's violations of the 10 October 2020 humanitarian ceasefire and conditional solidarity with the Republic of Azerbaijan, highlighting the OIC stance and that of the UNSC and urging a political solution to the conflict, and affirming respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cooperation|first=Organization of Islamic|date=2020-10-14|title=OIC Reaffirms its Solidarity with the Republic of Azerbaijan |url=https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/ampg.asp?t_id=24820&t_ref=15170&lan=en|access-date=2020-10-18|publisher=OIC Reaffirms its Solidarity with the Republic of Azerbaijan}}</ref> | |||
=== Armenia and Artsakh === | |||
On 27 September 2020, the ], ], accused the Azerbaijani authorities of a large-scale provocation. The Prime Minister stated that the "recent aggressive statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, large-scale joint military exercises with Turkey, as well as the rejection of OSCE proposals for monitoring" indicated that the aggression was pre-planned and constituted a major violation of regional peace and security.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2020 |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |title=All past actions of Azerbaijan indicate the attack on Artsakh was pre-planned, says PM Pashinyan |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1028969 |access-date=28 September 2020 |website=armenpress.am |publisher=]}}</ref> The next day, Armenia's ] (MoFA) issued a statement, noting that the "people of Artsakh were at war with the ]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029219|title=Artsakh people fighting against Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance – Armenia MFA|website=armenpress.am|publisher=]|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
On 19 October 2020, at the request of Russia, the United States, and France, the ] held closed consultations on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/732210|title=СБ ООН обсудил меры по контролю за соблюдением перемирия в Карабахе|date=2020-10-20|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> After discussions, a draft declaration was prepared on behalf of the ]. The draft declaration did not contain a reference to the ] regarding the topic. According to Hikmat Hajiyev, this project was mainly prepared by Russia and France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.is/https://report.az/en/nagorno-karabakh-conflict/hikmat-hajiyev-comments-on-discussions-in-un-security-council-on-armenian-azerbaijani-conflict/|title=Members of Non-Aligned Movement refuse to adopt document against Azerbaijan|date=2020-10-23|access-date=2020-10-29}}</ref> However, non-permanent members of the Security Council, who are the members of the ] at the same time, twice violated the silence procedure, insisting on the inclusion in the statement of a reference to the UN Security Council resolutions. Following the persistent and principled position of the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, the draft statement in question was formally withdrawn. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is also the Chairman of Non-Aligned Movement <ref>https://en.president.az/articles/40878</ref> thanked those states including ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ] for their fair position, announcing that he will continue to defend the interests of the member states, international law, and justice in the UN and other international organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://azertag.az/ru/xeber/Pomoshchnik_Prezidenta_Xikmet_Gadzhiev_prokommentiroval_obsuzhdeniya_v_Sovete_Bezopasnosti_OON_po_armyano_azerbaidzhanskomu_konfliktu-1622313|title=Помощник Президента Хикмет Гаджиев прокомментировал обсуждения в Совете Безопасности ООН по армяно-азербайджанскому конфликту|date=2020-10-23|access-date=2020-10-28|website=apa.az}}</ref> | |||
The same day, the Armenian ambassador to Russia, Vardan Toganyan, did not rule out that Armenia may turn to Russia for fresh arms supplies.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 2020 |title=Armenia doesn't rule out potential new weapons supplies from Russia |website=armenpress.am |publisher=] |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029218 |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> On 29 September 2020, Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that Azerbaijan, with military support from Turkey, was expanding the theatre into Armenian territory.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 September 2020 |title=Azerbaijan expanding geography of hostilities with active support of Turkey – PM Pashinyan |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress |editor-last=Sirekanyan |editor-first=Tigran |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029486.html |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> On 30 September 2020, Pashinyan stated that Armenia was considering officially recognising the Republic of Artsakh as an independent territory.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 September 2020 |title=Armenia considers officially recognizing independence of Nagorno Karabakh, Pashinyan says |website=armenpress.am |publisher=Armenpress |editor-last=Kocharyan |editor-first=Stepan |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029566.html |access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> The same day, the Armenian MoFA stated that the Turkish Air Force had carried out provocative flights along the front between the forces of the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, including providing air support to the Azerbaijani army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.am/hy/interviews-articles-and-comments/2020/09/30/MFA_Turkey_Statement/10476|title=ՀՀ ԱԳՆ հայտարարությունը Թուրքիայի ԶՈՒ ներգրավվածության վերաբերյալ|publisher=MFA|date=30 September 2020|language=hy}}</ref> | |||
=== Countries === | |||
==== Russia ==== | |||
Being a co-chair of ], Russia's main role in this conflict is that of a mediator. On 2 October 2020, along with the other two co-chairs of the Group, France and the U.S., it called for immediate cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, and asked both sides to continue negotiations without preconditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=France, Russia and US call for immediate truce in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201002-france-russia-and-us-call-for-immediate-truce-in-nagorno-karabakh|publisher=France 24|date=2 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> On 6 October 2020, the Russian Foreign Minister ] and his Iranian counterpart ] expressed concern about the involvement of Syrian and Libyan fighters in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with the possible support of Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia ready for "mutual concessions" with Azerbaijan|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/6/assad-calls-erdogan-the-main-instigator-in-in-nagorno-karabakh|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=6 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia, Iran concerned about Syrian and Libyan fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh – Moscow |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-russia-iran/russia-iran-concerned-about-syrian-and-libyan-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh-moscow-idINKBN26N2TQ|publisher=Reuters|date=2 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> Both Russia and Armenia are part of a mutual defence pact. However, on 8 October 2020, President ] expressed that the fighting is not happening on the territory of Armenia and therefore Russia would not intervene in the current conflict.<ref>{{cite web|title=Putin Says Fighting Is Not Taking Place In Territory Of Armenia|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/putin-says-fighting-is-not-taking-place-in-territory-of-armenia-2020-10-8-0/|publisher=Caspian News|date=8 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> He also affirmed Russia's good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. On 9 October 2020, Lavrov mediated a ceasefire after 10 hours of talks between Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in Moscow. The ceasefire was quickly broken.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire|url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-diplomacy-idCAKBN26V005|publisher=Reuters|date=10 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> On 22 October 2020, Putin indicated that the root of the conflict lines in interethnic clashes between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in the 1980s, and specifically referred to the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Путин заявил о почти пяти тысячах погибших в Карабахе|url=https://ria.ru/20201023/putin-1581111641.html|publisher=Ria|date=23 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Putin: Karabakh conflict started with brutal crimes against Armenian people|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/22/putin-karabakh-conflict-started-with-brutal-crimes-against-armenian-people/|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia|date=22 October 2020|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
On 1 October 2020, the President of Artsakh, ], stated that Armenians needed to prepare for a long-term war.<ref>{{cite web|title=Putin, Macron call for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire as deaths mount|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/1/putin-macron-call-for-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-as-deaths-mount|website=]|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Two days later, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Foreign Ministry called on the international community to recognise the ] of the Republic of Artsakh in order to restore regional peace and security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/285974/|title=Karabakh urges international community to recognize its independence|publisher=PanArmenian|quote=Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Foreign Ministry on Saturday, October 3 called on the international community to recognize the independence of Artsakh.}}</ref> | |||
==== United States ==== | |||
On 27 September 2020, United States president ] said his administration was "looking at very strongly" and that it was seeing whether it could stop it.<ref name="DJTReuters">{{cite web|date=28 September 2020|title=Trump says U.S. will seek to stop violence between Armenia, Azerbaijan|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-trump-idUSKBN26I124|website=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Presidential candidate and former Vice President ] demanded that Turkey "stay out" of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.<ref name="KellyNagornoKarabakh">Laura Kelly, {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004092433/https://thehill.com/policy/international/518794-biden-says-turkey-must-stay-out-of-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict|date=2020-10-04}} ''The Hill'' 29 September 2020</ref> In a letter to ] ], Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member ], Senate Minority Leader ], and several other lawmakers called for the Trump administration to immediately suspend ] ],<ref>{{cite news|date=2 October 2020|title=Senate and House Leaders to Secretary of State Pompeo: Cut Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Sanction Turkey for Ongoing Attacks Against Armenia and Artsakh|publisher=The Armenian Weekly|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2020/10/02/senate-and-house-leaders-to-secretary-of-state-pompeo-cut-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-sanction-turkey-for-ongoing-attacks-against-armenia-and-artsakh/ |url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005130156/https://armenianweekly.com/2020/10/02/senate-and-house-leaders-to-secretary-of-state-pompeo-cut-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-sanction-turkey-for-ongoing-attacks-against-armenia-and-artsakh/|archive-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="defensenews">{{cite news|date=6 October 2020|title=Democrats urge halt to security aid to Azerbaijan in Armenia conflict|publisher=Defense News|url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/06/democrats-urge-halt-to-security-aid-to-azerbaijan-in-armenia-conflict/|url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113902/https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/06/democrats-urge-halt-to-security-aid-to-azerbaijan-in-armenia-conflict/|archive-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> sent through ]'s "building partner assistance program".<ref name="defensenews"/><ref>{{cite news|date=17 July 2019|title=US Allocates US$100 million in Security Aid to Azerbaijan in 2018–19|publisher=USC Institute of Armenian Studies|url=https://armenian.usc.edu/us-allocates-100-million-in-security-aid-to-azerbaijan/|url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008151829/https://armenian.usc.edu/us-allocates-100-million-in-security-aid-to-azerbaijan/|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> ], chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the influence of third party actors like Turkey "troubling".<ref>{{cite news|date=September 29, 2020|title=Democrats warn Turkey over involvement in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict |publisher=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/518737-democrats-warn-turkey-over-involvement-in-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004085716/https://thehill.com/policy/international/518737-democrats-warn-turkey-over-involvement-in-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict|archive-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref> On 15 October 2020, Pompeo urged both sides to respect the humanitarian ceasefire and stated, "We now have the Turks, who have stepped in and provided resources to Azerbaijan, increasing the risk, increasing the firepower that's taking place in this historic fight... The resolution of that conflict ought to be done through negotiation and peaceful discussions, not through armed conflict, and certainly not with third party countries coming in to lend their firepower to what is already a powder keg of a situation".<ref name="statepompeointerview">{{cite web|date=15 October 2020|title=Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Erick Erickson of The Erick Erickson Show on WSB Atlanta|url=https://www.state.gov/secretary-michael-r-pompeo-with-erick-erickson-of-the-erick-erickson-show-on-wsb-atlanta/|url-status=live|access-date=16 October 2020 |website=state.gov|publisher=The United States Department of State}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
On 6 October 2020, the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that the Armenian side was prepared to make concessions, if Azerbaijan was ready to reciprocate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Пашинян: Ереван готов к уступкам в карабахском конфликте, если к этому же готовы в Баку|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9645263|access-date=29 October 2020|agency=ТАСС}}</ref> | |||
A number of U.S. congressmen were more vocal in their criticism of the Azerbaijani side. On 22 October 2020, Representative ] said he would introduce a bipartisan resolution with the backing of several dozen colleagues that "support the Republic of Artsakh, recognizing its right to self-determination, and condemning Azerbaijan and Turkey for aggression".<ref> 22 October 2020</ref> At least one congressman, ], called for the imposition of sanctions against Azerbaijan through the ].<ref>{{cite web|date=10 October 2020|title=Rep. Brad Sherman calls for applying Global Magnitsky sanctions on Azeri officials|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031116.html|access-date=26 October 2020|publisher=Armenpress}}</ref> | |||
On 9 October 2020, ] demanded that international powers, particularly, the United States, Russia and ], do more to stop Turkey's involvement in the war and warned that ] is creating "another Syria in the Caucasus".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/122861|title="Turkey creating "another Syria in Caucasus", Armenian President Tells Financial Times|date=9 October 2020|website=hetq.am|publisher=Hetq}}</ref> | |||
On 23 October 2020, President Trump stated that "good progress" was being made on reaching an agreement in the conflict, saying: "We are talking about this; we are talking with Armenia. We have very good relations with Armenia. They're great people and we're going to help them".<ref>{{cite web|date=23 October 2020|title=Armenians are great people and we're going to help them – Donald Trump |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/23/armenians-are-great-people-and-were-going-to-help-them-donald-trump/|access-date=26 October 2020|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> On 25 October 2020, U.S. National Security Advisor ] announced that Armenia has accepted a ceasefire, Azerbaijan has not yet but they are "pushing them to do so".<ref>{{cite web|date=25 October 2020|title=Armenia has accepted a ceasefire, Azerbaijan has not – Robert O'Brien|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/25/armenia-has-accepted-a-ceasefire-azerbaijan-has-not-robert-obrien/|access-date=26 October 2020 |publisher=Public Rdio of Armenia}}</ref> Later that day it was announced that both sides had agreed with a humanitarian ceasefire from the next day morning.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 October 2020 |title=Humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh to be effective at 08:00 on 26 October 2020|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/25/ceasefire-in-nagorno-karabakh-to-be-effective-0800-a-m-on-october-26-2020/ |access-date=26 October 2020|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> | |||
On 21 October 2020, Nikol Pashinyan stated that "it is impossible to talk about a diplomatic solution at this stage, at least at this stage", since the compromise option is not acceptable for Azerbaijan, while the Armenian side stated many times that it is ready to resolve the issue through compromises. Pashinyan said that "to fight for the rights of our people means, first of all, to take up arms and commit to the protection of the rights of the homeland".<ref>{{cite web |last=Karapetyan |first=Marianna |date=21 October 2020 |title=There is no diplomatic solution to Karabakh issue, at least not in this stage |url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/21/pm-there-is-no-diplomatic-solution-to-karabakh-issue-at-least-not-in-this-stage/ |website=armradio.am |publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref> | |||
==== Turkey ==== | |||
] and the Turkish Foreign Minister ] on 6 October 2020.]] | |||
On 12 November 2020, Pashinyan addressed his nation, saying that "Armenia and the Armenian people are living extremely difficult days. There is sorrow in the hearts of all of us, tears in the eyes of all of us, pain in the souls of all of us". The prime minister pointed out that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia reported that the war "must be stopped immediately". And the President of Artsakh warned that if the hostilities do not stop, Stepanakert could be lost in days. Pashinyan also stated that the Karabakh issue was not resolved and is not resolved and that the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic is becoming an absolute priority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/124228|title=Pashinyan to Nation: "Karabakh Issue Has Not Been Resolved"|date=12 November 2020|website=hetq.am|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
The governments of ] and ] expressed support for Azerbaijan. Turkey blamed Armenia for violating the ceasefire<ref name="aj_270920">{{cite web|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes: How the world reacted|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/27/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-world-reactions|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927124156/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/27/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-world-reactions|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020 |website=aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan erupt into fighting over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928055530/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341|archive-date=28 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Pakistan expresses "deep concern", assures support to Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|publisher=The News International|location=Karachi |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/721049-pakistan-expresses-concerns-over-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-assures-support-to-azerbaijan|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928092958/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/721049-pakistan-expresses-concerns-over-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-assures-support-to-azerbaijan|archive-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> and Turkish President Erdogan initially urged Azerbaijan to persist with its campaign until it had retaken all territory lost in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.<ref name=":20"/> Erdogan criticized the failed activities of the OSCE Minsk Group in the last 25 years as "stalling tactics" preventing a diplomatic solution.<ref name="reuters14oct">{{cite news|title=Turkey's Erdogan says Minsk group stalling on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-turkey-erdogan-idUSKBN26Z1P8|access-date=21 October 2020|publisher=Reuters|date=14 October 2020}}</ref> Further, Turkey issued a statement on 1 October 2020 dismissing the joint demands from France, Russia, and the United States calling for a ceasefire.<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan: Both sides defy Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire calls|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54366616|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001030106/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54366616|archive-date=1 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=bbc.com|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Reuters OSCE">{{cite web|last1=Bagirova|first1=Nailia|last2=Hovhannisyan|first2=Nvard|title=Turkey rebuffs Russia, France and U.S. over Nagono-Karabakh ceasefire moves|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/turkey-rebuffs-russia-france-and-u-s-over-nagono-karabakh-ceasefire-moves-idUSKBN26M5IJ|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001202829/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan/turkey-rebuffs-russia-france-and-u-s-over-nagono-karabakh-ceasefire-moves-idUSKBN26M5IJ|archive-date=1 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=reuters.com|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> ], a self-declared state ], expressed support for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 September 2020|title=Turkish Cypriot side sends messages of support to Azerbaijan|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/09/29/turkish-cypriot-side-sends-messages-of-support-to-azerbaijan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113903/https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/09/29/turkish-cypriot-side-sends-messages-of-support-to-azerbaijan|archive-date=10 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
=== Azerbaijan === | |||
Turkey accused ] of a "double standard" in freezing military exports to Turkey but not ], which is involved in ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Turks accuse Canada of "double standard" in freezing military exports to Turkey but not Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-turks-accuse-canada-of-double-standard-in-freezing-military-exports/|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=6 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
] ] with the country's Security Council on 27 September 2020]] | |||
According to the ], the Armenian military violated the ceasefire 48 times along the line of contact on 26 September 2020, the day before the conflict. Azerbaijan stated that the Armenian side attacked first, prompting an Azerbaijani counter-offensive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/frontline-news-557/|title=26 September 2020 09:40|publisher=Defence Ministry of Azerbaijan|date=26 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
==== Others ==== | |||
] led by ] in ] on 28 October 2020.]] | |||
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan accused Armenian forces of a "willful and deliberate" attack on the front line<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/673912/Heavy-fighting-erupts-in-Nagorny-Karabakh|title=Heavy fighting erupts in Nagorny Karabak|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|publisher=Gulf Times}}</ref> and of targeting civilian areas, alleging a "gross violation of ]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Hikmat_Hajiyev_Armenia_039s_deliberate_targeting_of_residential_areas_and_the_civilians_is_a_gross_violation_of_international_humanitarian_law-1596165|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: Armenia's deliberate targeting of residential areas and the civilians is a gross violation of international humanitarian law|website=azertag.az|publisher=Azerbaijan State News Agency|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> On 28 September 2020, it stated that Armenia's actions had destroyed the peace negotiations through an act of aggression,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kazımoğlu |first=Mirmahmud |date=28 September 2020 |title=Hikmət Hacıyev: "Ordumuz Azərbaycan ərazisinin təhlükəsizliyini təmin edir" |language=az |website=report.az |publisher=Report Information Agency |url=https://report.az/dagliq-qarabag-munaqishesi/hikmet-haciyev-ordumuz-azerbaycan-erazisinin-tehlukesizliyini-temin-edir/ |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> alleged that a war had been launched against Azerbaijan, mobilised the people of Azerbaijan, and declared a ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kazımoğlu |first=Mirmahmud |date=28 September 2020 |title=Prezidentin köməkçisi: "Bu, Azərbaycan xalqının Böyük Vətən Müharibəsidir" |language=az |website=report.az |publisher=Report Information Agency |url=https://report.az/dagliq-qarabag-munaqishesi/prezidentin-komekcisi-azerbaycana-qarsi-muharibe-baslayib/ |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> It then stated that the deployment of the Armenian military in Nagorno-Karabakh constituted a threat to regional peace and accused Armenia of propagandising, adding that the Azerbaijani military was operating according to international law.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Hikmat-Hajiyev:-%22Armenia-prepares-very-false-and-needless-information%22-331408|title=Hikmat Hajiyev: "Armenia prepares very false and needless information"|website=apa.az|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani authorities issued a statement accusing the Armenian military of purposefully targeting civilians, including women and children.<ref>{{cite news |last=Qabil |first=Əsmər |date=28 September 2020 |title=Dövlət Komitəsi Ermənistan silahlı qüvvələrinin qadın və uşaqları qətlə yetirməsinə dair bəyanat yayıb |language=az |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/az/sosial_xeberler/Dovlt-Komitsi-Ermnistan-silahli-quvvlrinin-qadin-v-usaqlari-qtl-yetirmsin-dair-byanat-yayib-607424 |access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) denied any reports of Turkish involvement, while admitting military-technical cooperation with Turkey and other countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://regnum.ru/news/polit/3075510.html|title=Азербайджан ответил на обвинения Армении в привлечении наёмников|website=regnum.ru|publisher=REGNUM News Agency|language=ru|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
Syrian President ] blamed Turkey for the conflict,<ref name="assad"/> while Greek foreign minister ], on a visit to Yerevan on 16 October 2020, said that it was critical to end foreign interference, warning that Turkey's intervention was raising serious international concerns.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs, N. Dendias, following his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan (Yerevan, 16 October 2020)|url=https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/top-story/statement-by-minister-of-foreign-affairs-dendias-following-his-meeting-with-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-armenia-zohrab-mnatsakanyan-yerevan-16102020.html|access-date=16 October 2020|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic|date=16 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 29 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said that Armenian control of the area and aggression had led to the destruction of infrastructure and mosques, caused the ] and resulted in ], and was tantamount to state-backed ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://azertag.az/xeber/Prezident_Ilham_Aliyev_Islamofobiya_ve_Azerbaycanofobiya_siyaseti_artiq_Ermenistanin_resmi_ideologiyasina_chevrilib-1598429|title=Prezident İlham Əliyev: İslamofobiya və Azərbaycanofobiya siyasəti artıq Ermənistanın rəsmi ideologiyasına çevrilib|website=azertag.az|publisher=Azerbaijan State News Agency|language=az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> The Azerbaijani MoFA demanded that Armenia stop shelling civilians and called on international organisations to ensure Armenia followed international law.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vahid |first=Firuza |date=29 September 2020 |title=MFA: We demand from Armenia to stop shelling civilians |website=apa.az |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/MFA:-We-demand-from-Armenia-to-stop-shelling-civilians-331517 |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> Azerbaijan denied reports of mercenaries brought in from Turkey by Azerbaijan,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2020|title=Ambassador: If Armenia recognizes "independence" of Karabakh, it would mean burning all bridges|url=https://www.azernews.az/karabakh/169738.html|access-date=13 October 2021|website=AzerNews.az|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=28 September 2020 |title=Azerbaijan denies Turkey sent it fighters from Syria |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/azerbaijan-denies-turkey-sent-it-fighters-from-syria |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=]}}</ref> and the ], ], stated that Azerbaijan had never laid claim to others' territory nor committed crimes against humanity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Mehriban-Aliyeva:-%22May-the-Almighty-grant-every-Azerbaijani-the-chance-to-kiss-the-sacred-Karabakh-soil!%22-331594|title=Mehriban Aliyeva: "May the Almighty grant every Azerbaijani the chance to kiss the sacred Karabakh soil!"|website=apa.az|date=29 September 2020|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
Israeli President ] expressed sorrow at the resumption of violence and loss of life, stating that Israel's long-standing cooperation and relations with Azerbaijan was not for offensive purposes, adding that Israel was interested in promoting relations with Armenia and was prepared to offer humanitarian aid.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rivlin speaks with Armenian president, hopes ambassador will return soon|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/rivlin-speaks-with-armenian-president-hopes-ambassador-will-return-soon-644575|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> However, Nikol Pashinyan heavily criticized Israel for selling arms to Azerbaijan and its allies saying that they are working with "mercenaries and terrorists", who are targeting peaceful population.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="Israel1"/> Armenia recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also rejected the ] proposed by Israel and stated that the country should send that aid to the "terrorists".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/armenian-pm-to-post-israel-joins-forces-with-the-devil-6477904|title=Armenian PM to Post: Israel joins forces with the devil|date=2020-11-03|website=jpost.com|publisher=]|quote=Humanitarian aid by a country that is selling weapons to mercenaries, which they are using to strike a civilian peaceful population? I propose that Israel send that aid to the mercenaries and to the terrorists as the logical continuation of its activities.}}</ref> ]i Defence Minister ] accused Turkey of disrupting peace efforts in the region and called for international pressure on Turkey to dissuade "direct terrorism".<ref name="news24">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Azerbaijan–Armenia war: Saudi Arabia calls for boycott of Turkish goods, Israel urges NATO action against Turkey|url=https://news24online.com/news/world/azerbaijan-armenia-war-saudi-arabia-calls-boycott-turkish-goods-israel-urges-nato-action-against-turkey-2248ea3f|access-date=2020-10-07|website=News24 English}}</ref> Israel declined to comment on the possibility of halting support for Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Israel may halt its weapons sale to Azerbaijan, Armenian ambassador says|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/israel-may-halt-its-weapons-sale-to-azerbaijan-armenian-ambassador-says-644602|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com}}</ref> | |||
On 3 October 2020, Aliyev stated that Armenia needed to leave Azerbaijan's territory (in Nagorno-Karabakh) for the war to stop.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Geybullaeva |first1=Arzu |last2=Melikyan |first2=Aren |date=3 October 2020 |title=President of Azerbaijan tells Armenia to 'leave our territory, and then, the war will stop' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/03/asia/azerbaijan-armenia-president-intl/index.html |access-date=4 October 2020 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The next day, Aliyev issued an official statement that Azerbaijan was "writing a new history", describing Karabakh as an ancient Azerbaijani territory and longstanding home to Azerbaijanis, and claiming that Armenians had occupied Azerbaijan's territory, destroying its religious and cultural heritage, for three decades. He added that Azerbaijan would restore its cities and destroyed mosques and accused Armenia of distorting history.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 October 2020|title=President Ilham Aliyev: Today we are writing a new history of our people and state, a glorious history|website=apa.az|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/President-Ilham-Aliyev:-Today-we-are-writing-a-new-history-of-our-people-and-state-a-glorious-history-332072|access-date=4 October 2020|quote=As you know, Azerbaijan has been fighting to restore its territorial integrity for a week now. On the battlefield, our soldiers and officers show heroism, inflict crushing blows on the enemy, put the enemy in its place, drive the enemy out of our lands at the cost of their lives... We are restoring historical justice today because the land of Karabakh is our ancient historical land. The people of Azerbaijan have lived, created and built in these lands for centuries. But for many years, for almost 30 years, Armenian executioners have occupied our lands, destroyed all our historical, religious and cultural sites. We will restore all our cities. We will restore all our mosques destroyed by the Armenians. Life will return to these places. We have put an end to the attempts of Armenians to change our historical names and falsify history, to erase the historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people. The historical names of our settlements are being restored and they will be restored.}}</ref> | |||
] stated it backed Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, adding it supports the reduction of tensions in the escalating conflict and a negotiated OSCE Minsk Group solution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-eu-summit-azerbaijan/|title=Hungarian Gov't Stands by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|first=Fanni|last=Kaszás|newspaper=Hungary Today|date=1 October 2020|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005043618/https://hungarytoday.hu/hungary-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-eu-summit-azerbaijan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://index.hu/kulfold/2020/10/01/azeri/|title=Magyarország kiáll Azerbajdzsán mellett a hegyi-karabahi konfliktusban|first=Viktor|last=Buzna|newspaper=]|date=1 October 2020|access-date=2 October 2020|language=hu}}</ref> ] stated that it supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, would not provide military assistance to either state,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3110781-avakov-ukraine-wont-provide-military-assistance-to-armeniaazerbaijan-conflict-parties.html|title=Avakov: Ukraine won't provide military assistance to Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict parties|newspaper=Ukrinform|date=2 October 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005050512/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3110781-avakov-ukraine-wont-provide-military-assistance-to-armeniaazerbaijan-conflict-parties.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/ukraine-supports-azerbaijans-territorial-integrity/1993930|title=Ukraine supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity|first=Tahla|last=Yavuz|newspaper=]|date=2 October 2020|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005122528/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/ukraine-supports-azerbaijans-territorial-integrity/1993930|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3109423-ukraine-at-osce-calls-for-peaceful-settlement-of-nagornokarabakh-conflict.html|title=Ukraine at OSCE calls for peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|newspaper=]|date=30 September 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003013149/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3109423-ukraine-at-osce-calls-for-peaceful-settlement-of-nagornokarabakh-conflict.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and wanted to avoid an ethnic conflict between its own ] and ] communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/nagorno-karabakh-kuleba-calls-on-officials-to-make-balanced-comments-11168372.html|title=Kuleba calls on officials to make balanced comments on Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict|newspaper=]|date=2 October 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005060429/https://www.unian.info/politics/nagorno-karabakh-kuleba-calls-on-officials-to-make-balanced-comments-11168372.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] stated that no military solution to the conflict existed and expressed support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and political dialogue and expressing concern over the conflict.<ref name="spokesman" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/453300/Tehran-urges-Armenia-to-respect-Azerbaijan-s-territorial-integrity|title=Tehran urges Armenia to respect Azerbaijan's territorial integrity|date=6 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113905/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/453300/Tehran-urges-Armenia-to-respect-Azerbaijan-s-territorial-integrity|url-status=live}}</ref> While the ] ] told that Azerbaijan is "entitled to liberate its occupied territories", and that the security of Armenian minority should be ensured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/165482/Iran-s-policies-not-to-change-with-change-of-US-gov|title=Iran’s policies not to change with change of US gov.|date=3 November 2020}}</ref> ] stated that it supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and called both sides to solve conflict with peaceful negotiations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://albaniandailynews.com/news/president-meta-accepts-azerbaijan-ambassador-s-credentials |title=President Meta accepts Azerbaijan ambassador's credentials |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=22 October 2020 |website=albaniandailynews.com |publisher= |access-date= |quote=I confirmed Albania's support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan..}}</ref> | |||
Two days later, Aliyev's aide, ], said that Armenia had deployed cluster munitions against cities,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ermenistan cepheden kaçıyor sivilleri vuruyor|language=tr|work=Dünya Bülteni|url=https://www.dunyabulteni.net/ortadogu/ermenistan-cepheden-kaciyor-sivilleri-vuruyor-h479865.html|access-date=5 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008131417/https://www.dunyabulteni.net/ortadogu/ermenistan-cepheden-kaciyor-sivilleri-vuruyor-h479865.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> however this had not been verified by other sources. On 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan officially notified members of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and similar organisations that it had launched the operation in line with international law to re-establish its internationally recognised territorial integrity and for the safety of its people.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rehimov |first=Ruslan |date=7 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan sends notice to world courts on military ops |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/azerbaijan-sends-notice-to-world-courts-on-military-ops/1998840 |access-date=18 October 2020 |publisher=Anadolu Agency}}</ref> He also accused Armenia of ] on account of the historical expulsion or self-exile of ethnic minority communities, highlighting its ].<ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=President Ilham Aliyev: "Armenia is a racist country, representatives of no other nationality can live there"|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/President-Ilham-Aliyev:-%22Armenia-is-a-racist-country-representatives-of-no-other-nationality-can-live-there%22-332434|access-date=8 October 2020|website=apa.az|quote=There are representatives of many nationalities living in Azerbaijan. They live like one family. Azerbaijan is known as a multicultural country worldwide. This is acknowledged by the United Nations, as well as other international organizations operating in the humanitarian field. Azerbaijan is the land of tolerance, ethnic and religious tolerance. Thousands of Armenians live in our country today and they are our citizens. They also live normally, like all other nationalities. Of course, I am sure that after the end of this war and conflict, the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh today will live with us. Azerbaijan is a multinational country. This has been the case throughout history. I think this is our great advantage.}}</ref> | |||
Representatives of countries, including ],<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Preocupación argentina por los enfrentamientos entre Armenia y Azerbaiyán|language=Spanish|trans-title=Argentine concern over the clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan|work=cancilleria.gob.ar|agency=]|url=https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/noticias/preocupacion-argentina-por-los-enfrentamientos-entre-armenia-y-azerbaiyan|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002033731/https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/noticias/preocupacion-argentina-por-los-enfrentamientos-entre-armenia-y-azerbaiyan|archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Joint statement by Canada and the United Kingdom on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict|work=canada.ca|agency=]|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/09/joint-statement-by-canada-and-the-united-kingdom-on-the-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict.html|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003214605/https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/09/joint-statement-by-canada-and-the-united-kingdom-on-the-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict.html|archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=29 September 2020|title=Chile expresa su preocupación por enfrentamientos entre Armenia y Azerbaiyán|language=Spanish|trans-title=Chile expresses concern over clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan|work=minrel.gob.cl|agency=]|url=https://minrel.gob.cl/chile-expresa-su-preocupacion-por-enfrentamientos-entre-armenia-y/minrel/2020-09-29/192927.html|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113831/https://minrel.gob.cl/chile-expresa-su-preocupacion-por-enfrentamientos-entre-armenia-y/minrel/2020-09-29/192927.html|archive-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite news|author=Reuters Staff|date=2020-09-28|title=China says hopes Armenia, Azerbaijan resolve differences via talks|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-china-idUSB9N2G5048|url-status=live|access-date=2020-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003010737/https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-china-idUSB9N2G5048|archive-date=2020-10-03}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Croatia calls for ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh|work=]|location=Zagreb|url=http://hr.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a558425/Croatia-calls-for-ceasefire-in-Nagorno-Karabakh.html|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008211601/http://hr.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a558425/Croatia-calls-for-ceasefire-in-Nagorno-Karabakh.html|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Estonia plans to initiate UNSC consultations on Nagorno-Karabakh|newspaper=TASS Russian News Agency|url=https://tass.com/world/1205663|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001045854/https://tass.com/world/1205663|archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Riigikogu parliamentary groups express concern for Armenia, Azerbaijan|newspaper=]|url=https://news.err.ee/1141138/riigikogu-parliamentary-groups-express-concern-for-armenia-azerbaijan|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002144352/https://news.err.ee/1141138/riigikogu-parliamentary-groups-express-concern-for-armenia-azerbaijan|archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blamont|first1=Matthias|date=27 September 2020|title=France calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to end hostilities|agency=]|editor1-last=Evans|editor1-first=Catherine|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-france/france-calls-on-armenia-azerbaijan-to-end-hostilities-idUSKBN26I0CE|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927122302/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-france/france-calls-on-armenia-azerbaijan-to-end-hostilities-idUSKBN26I0CE|archive-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="TASS OSCE">{{cite web|title=Putin, Macron, Trump call for talks on Nagorno-Karabakh without preconditions|url=https://tass.com/politics/1207437|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170317/https://tass.com/politics/1207437|archive-date=1 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=TASS Russian News Agency|publisher=TASS}}</ref><ref name="FT OSCE">{{cite web|last1=Foy|first1=Henry|last2=Pitel|first2=Laura|last3=Peel|first3=Michael|title=Russia, France and US demand Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3963793e-2530-41b9-a8b9-e3b3c7993f27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004214204/https://www.ft.com/content/3963793e-2530-41b9-a8b9-e3b3c7993f27|archive-date=4 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=Financial Times|publisher=The Financial Times, Ltd.}}</ref> ],<ref name="Georgia">{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Georgia concerned with resumption of hostilities between Armenia, Azerbaijan|work=Agenda.ge|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2991|url-status=dead|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929173856/https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2991|archive-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> ],<ref name="aj_270920" /> ],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Simos|first1=Andriana|date=28 September 2020|title=Greece calls on Armenia-Azerbaijan to stop military operations immediately|agency=]|url=https://greekherald.com.au/news/world/greece-calls-on-armenia-azerbaijan-to-stop-military-operations-immediately/|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008203428/https://greekherald.com.au/news/world/greece-calls-on-armenia-azerbaijan-to-stop-military-operations-immediately/|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan war rages on for fifth day, India voices concern and calls for restraint|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/armenia-azerbaijan-war-rages-on-for-fifth-day-india-voices-concern-and-calls-for-restraint-2313878.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002064112/https://zeenews.india.com/india/armenia-azerbaijan-war-rages-on-for-fifth-day-india-voices-concern-and-calls-for-restraint-2313878.html|archive-date=2020-10-02|access-date=2020-10-02|website=Zee News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-02|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan flare-up: India asks all sides to cease hostilities|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/armenia-azerbaijan-flare-up-india-asks-all-sides-to-cease-hostilities-6664061/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004072221/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/armenia-azerbaijan-flare-up-india-asks-all-sides-to-cease-hostilities-6664061/|archive-date=2020-10-04|access-date=2020-10-02|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arbar|first1=Thea Fathanah|date=3 October 2020|title=Perang Armenia vs Azerbaijan, Ini Sikap RI|language=id-ID|work=CNBC Indonesia|url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20201002105642-4-191144/perang-armenia-vs-azerbaijan-ini-sikap-ri|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007202733/https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20201002105642-4-191144/perang-armenia-vs-azerbaijan-ini-sikap-ri|archive-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hafezi|first1=Parisa|date=27 September 2020|title=Iran calls for immediate end to the conflict between Armenia, Azerbaijan – TV|agency=]|editor1-last=Evans|editor1-first=Catherine|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-iran-idUKKBN26I0K7|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002033844/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan-iran-idUKKBN26I0K7|archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="Rouhani FARS">{{cite web|title=Rouhani: Iran Ready to Help Resolve Dispute between Armenia, Azerbaijan|url=https://en.farsnews.ir/13990709000952|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113834/https://en.farsnews.ir/13990709000952|archive-date=10 October 2020|access-date=1 October 2020|website=FARS News Agency|publisher=FARS News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Iran cannot tolerate conflict on its borders: Spox|work=Iran Press|url=https://iranpress.com/content/28215|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113832/https://iranpress.com/content/28215|archive-date=2020-10-10}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan over the escalation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict|url=https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/zayavlenie-mid-rk-v-svyazi-s-eskalaciey-armyano-azerbaydzhanskogo-konflikta?lang=en|access-date=1 October 2020|agency=]}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Latvian minister urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to cease hostilities|newspaper=Vestnik Kavkaza|url=https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Latvian-minister-urges-Armenia-and-Azerbaijan-to-cease-hostilities.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002124636/https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Latvian-minister-urges-Armenia-and-Azerbaijan-to-cease-hostilities.html|archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="LatvLith">{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Lithuanian, Latvian FMs concerned over Armenia's large-scale provocation against Azerbaijan|newspaper=]|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3305967.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929141233/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3305967.html|archive-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Linkevičius: Lithuania calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop military action|newspaper=]|url=https://en.delfi.lt/politics/linkevicius-lithuania-calls-on-armenia-and-azerbaijan-to-stop-military-action.d?id=85347055|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001030025/https://en.delfi.lt/politics/linkevicius-lithuania-calls-on-armenia-and-azerbaijan-to-stop-military-action.d?id=85347055|archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="LatvLith" /> ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Avanesov|first=Alexander|date=28 September 2020|title=Президент Молдовы призывает Армению и Азербайджан остановить огонь|language=ru|newspaper=Arminfo|url=https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=55465}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Polish MFA expresses deep concern with reported military clashes around Nagorno-Karabakh|work=en.trend.az|agency=Trend News Agency|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3306239.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008022043/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3306239.html|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Conflict militar între Armenia și Azerbaidjan în regiunea Nagorno-Karabah|language=ro|newspaper=Radio Europa Liberă România|url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/conflict-militar-intre-armenia-si-azerbaidjan-in-regiunea-nogorno-karabah/30860686.html|url-status=dead|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003073442/https://romania.europalibera.org/a/conflict-militar-intre-armenia-si-azerbaidjan-in-regiunea-nogorno-karabah/30860686.html|archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Grigoryan|first=Anna|date=27 September 2020|title=Ռումինիան հայկական, ադրբեջանական կողմերին կոչ է անում վերսկսել քաղաքական երկխոսությունը|language=hy|newspaper=]|location=]|url=https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1029007.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008194208/https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1029007.html|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> ],<ref name="TASS OSCE" /><ref name="FT OSCE" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Темникова|first=Ксения|date=27 September 2020|title=Россия призвала Ереван и Баку прекратить огонь в Нагорном Карабахе|url=https://iz.ru/1066007/2020-09-27/rossiia-prizvala-erevan-i-baku-prekratit-ogon-v-nagornom-karabakhe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001161541/https://iz.ru/1066007/2020-09-27/rossiia-prizvala-erevan-i-baku-prekratit-ogon-v-nagornom-karabakhe|archive-date=2020-10-01|access-date=2020-10-10|website=Известия}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bahrain News Agency|url=https://www.bna.bh/en/index.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902233604/https://www.bna.bh/en/index.aspx|archive-date=2019-09-02|access-date=2020-09-29|website=bna.bh}}</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web|last=News|first=Mirage|date=2020-09-29|title=By Canada and United Kingdom on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict {{!}} Mirage News|url=https://www.miragenews.com/by-canada-and-united-kingdom-on-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict/,%20https://www.miragenews.com/by-canada-and-united-kingdom-on-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict|access-date=2020-09-29|website=miragenews.com|language=en-AU}}</ref> the United States,<ref name="TASS OSCE" /><ref name="FT OSCE" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Schroeder|first1=Pete|date=27 September 2020|title=U.S. urges immediate halt to violence between Azerbaijan and Armenia|agency=]|editor1-last=Cooney|editor1-first=Peter|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-usa/u-s-urges-immediate-halt-to-violence-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-idUSKBN26I0YO?il=0|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927235301/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-usa/u-s-urges-immediate-halt-to-violence-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-idUSKBN26I0YO?il=0|archive-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Gobierno del Uruguay expresa preocupación por escalada de violencia en la región de Nagorno – Karabaj|language=Spanish|trans-title=Government of Uruguay expresses concern over escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region|work=gub.uy|agency=]|url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-relaciones-exteriores/comunicacion/noticias/gobierno-del-uruguay-expresa-preocupacion-escalada-violencia-region-nagorno|url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002043026/https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-relaciones-exteriores/comunicacion/noticias/gobierno-del-uruguay-expresa-preocupacion-escalada-violencia-region-nagorno|archive-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> and the ],<ref name="aj_270920" /> have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. ] called for an end to Armenian occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh while calling for a cease-fire, urging the parties involved to resolve the long-standing crisis peacefully.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Kabul calls for end to occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh|work=Anadolu Agency|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/kabul-calls-for-end-to-occupation-in-nagorno-karabakh/1989233|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009050347/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/kabul-calls-for-end-to-occupation-in-nagorno-karabakh/1989233|archive-date=2020-10-09}}</ref> ] ] of the ] ] and the leader of the ], ], voiced support for Azerbaijan, condemning Armenia and comparing the situation with the 1992–1995 ].<ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Džaferović i Izetbegović podupiru Azerbajdžan i osuđuju Armeniju, nadaju se trajnom rješenju|work=]|location=]|url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/svijet/dzaferovic-i-izetbegovic-podupiru-azerbajdzan-i-osuduju-armeniju-nadaju-se-trajnom-rjesenju-15021822|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929073846/https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/svijet/dzaferovic-i-izetbegovic-podupiru-azerbajdzan-i-osuduju-armeniju-nadaju-se-trajnom-rjesenju-15021822|archive-date=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=28 September 2020|title=Afghanistan backs Azerbaijan in its clashes with Armenia|url=https://menafn.com/1100870261/Afghanistan-backs-Azerbaijan-in-its-clashes-with-Armenia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008000732/https://menafn.com/1100870261/Afghanistan-backs-Azerbaijan-in-its-clashes-with-Armenia|archive-date=8 October 2020|access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> ] condemned Azerbaijan for breaching ] and for any escalating actions, calling for a return to peaceful negotiations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Press Releases Article – PIO|url=https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/press-releases-article.html?id=15921|access-date=2020-10-18|website=pio.gov.cy|language=en}}</ref> | |||
On 10 October 2020, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister ] stated that the truce signed on the same day was temporary.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bagirova |first1=Nailia |last2=Tsvetkova |first2=Maria |date=10 October 2020 |title=Azeri foreign minister says Nagorno-Karabakh truce is temporary |work=Reuters |editor-last=Osborn |editor-first=Andrew |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-azerbaijan-foreignminister-idCAKBN26V0JI |access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> Despite this, Aliyev stated that both parties were now attempting to determine a political resolution to the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hovhannisyan |first1=Nvard |last2=Bagirova |first2=Nailia |date=10 October 2020 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-diplomacy-idUSKBN26V0AR |access-date=10 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
The unrecognized or partially recognized countries of ], ] and ] recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and have expressed support for it.<ref name="AbkTransOss">{{cite news|last=Shariy|first=Vitaly|date=29 September 2020|title=Карабахская "разморозка": реакция из Абхазии|language=ru|newspaper=Echo of the Caucasus|url=https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/30864802.html|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003063322/https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/30864802.html|archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Глава МИД Приднестровья поддержал коллегу из Нагорного Карабаха|language=ru|newspaper=EADaily|url=https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/09/28/glava-mid-pridnestrovya-podderzhal-kollegu-iz-nagornogo-karabaha|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930232254/https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/09/28/glava-mid-pridnestrovya-podderzhal-kollegu-iz-nagornogo-karabaha|archive-date=30 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=The Pridnestrovian MFA's statement on the armed conflict escalation between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Artsakh|publisher=]|url=http://mfa-pmr.org/en/node/8166|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008062934/http://mfa-pmr.org/en/node/8166|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2 October 2020|title=Парламент Абхазии обеспокоен резким обострением конфликта в Нагорном Карабахе|language=ru|newspaper=NEWS.am|url=https://news.am/rus/news/605604.html|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008002233/https://news.am/rus/news/605604.html|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Южная Осетия призвала мировое сообщество остановить военный конфликт в Нагорном Карабахе|language=ru|newspaper=]|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4509726|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930002526/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4509726|archive-date=30 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 September 2020|title=Парламент Южной Осетии осудил "реваншистские действия" Баку против Арцаха|language=ru|newspaper=EADaily|url=https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/09/29/parlament-yuzhnoy-osetii-osudil-revanshistskie-deystviya-baku-protiv-arcaha|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008212004/https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/09/29/parlament-yuzhnoy-osetii-osudil-revanshistskie-deystviya-baku-protiv-arcaha|archive-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
On 21 October 2020, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan did not rule out the introduction of international observers and peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, but will put forward some conditions when the time comes.<ref name="aljazeerapeacekeeper">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/22/azeri-president-says-armenians-can-have-cultural-autonomy|title=Azeri president says Armenians can have "cultural autonomy"|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref> He then added that Azerbaijan did not agree for a ] in Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201022/karabakh-1580992201.html|title=Алиев исключил возможность проведения референдума в Карабахе|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti}}</ref> but didn't exclude the cultural autonomy of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh,<ref name="aljazeerapeacekeeper"/> and reaffirmed that the Azerbaijan considers Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh as their citizens, promising security and rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20201022/armyane-1581006912.html|title=Права армян в Карабахе будут полностью соблюдены, заявил Алиев|date=22 October 2020|access-date=22 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=RIA Novosti}}</ref> | |||
The Russian-Armenian film director ] accused Ukraine by addressing the ] ] in suppling ] with ]s. Zelensky answered his post in ] by denying any involvement in the conflict.<ref>Daryna Antoniuk. ''''. ]. 3 November 2020</ref><ref>. ]. 3 November 2020</ref> | |||
On 26 October 2020, Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani government will inspect and record the destruction by Armenian forces in Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh during the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54686682?ns_mchannel=social&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:685e43b5-6cb6-46d3-b1e3-d06cb7246c89|title=Алиев грозит Армении счетом за разоренные земли|date=26 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2020|language=ru|publisher=BBC Russian Service}}</ref> | |||
===Humanitarian organizations=== | |||
Human rights groups have objected to the use of heavy explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated civilian areas and urged both sides to end the conflict and join the Convention on Cluster Munitions.<ref name="amnestyintl">{{cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Use of artillery salvos and ballistic missiles in populated areas must stop immediately |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-use-of-artillery-salvos-and-ballistic-missiles-in-populated-areas-must-stop-immediately/ |website=amnesty.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Don’t Attack Civilians |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/30/armenia/azerbaijan-dont-attack-civilians |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |date=30 September 2020}}</ref> Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized Azerbaijan<ref name=amnestyintl/><ref>{{cite web |title=Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/ |website=amnesty.org |language=en}}</ref> and Armenia<ref>{{cite web |title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: First confirmed use of cluster munitions by Armenia ‘cruel and reckless’ |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-first-confirmed-use-of-cluster-munitions-by-armenia-cruel-and-reckless/ |website=amnesty.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=nkrforces /> for the use of cluster munitions. | |||
== Allegations of third-party involvement == | |||
=== Minorities abroad === | |||
{{Main|Allegations of third-party involvement in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | |||
==== Armenians ==== | |||
{{multiple image | |||
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| footer = ] held numerous protests globally in support of Armenia and Artsakh (pictured in ] (''left'') and ] (''right'')). | |||
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Ethnic Armenian populations around the world have lobbied for peace negotiations.<ref name=":16" /> On 1 October, the South Ossetian Armenian community condemned Azerbaijan and Turkey, urging recognition of Artsakh's independence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cominf.org/en/node/1166532516|title=The Armenian community in South Ossetia calls on the world community to condemn the actions of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh|publisher=State Information and Press Committee of South Ossetia|date=1 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007230233/http://cominf.org/en/node/1166532516|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, ], in Georgia, expressed concern and their intention to send aid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://jam-news.net/georgia-javakheti-saakashvili-armenia-azerbaijan-karabakh-war/|title=How the escalation in Karabakh has affected Armenians living in Georgia|last=Ayvazyan|first=Aghunik|newspaper=JAMnews|date=2 October 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008205259/https://jam-news.net/georgia-javakheti-saakashvili-armenia-azerbaijan-karabakh-war/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, Georgia closed its ], indicating frustration within Georgia's Armenian minority.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lomsadze|first1=Giorgi|date=6 October 2020|title=Armenia and Azerbaijan to Georgian mediation: Thanks, but no thanks|work=Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-and-azerbaijan-to-georgian-mediation-thanks-but-no-thanks|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007004340/https://eurasianet.org/armenia-and-azerbaijan-to-georgian-mediation-thanks-but-no-thanks|url-status=live}}</ref> Croatia's Armenian diaspora's leader asked for support against what she described as a genocide against the Armenians.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 October 2020 |title=Armenci u Hrvatskoj: 'Ne tražimo pomoć, nego samo podršku da se ne dogodi genocid' |url=https://www.sibenik.in/svijet/armenci-u-hrvatskoj-ne-trazimo-pomoc-nego-samo-podrsku-da-se-ne-dogodi-genocid/128100.html# |work=Šibenik.hr |location=Šibenik |access-date= |archive-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008201433/https://www.sibenik.in/svijet/armenci-u-hrvatskoj-ne-trazimo-pomoc-nego-samo-podrsku-da-se-ne-dogodi-genocid/128100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 5 October, ] protested outside the ] (LA) ] building, calling for more accurate coverage.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=Armenian protesters in L.A. decry 'false equivalence' in media coverage of conflict|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-05/armenian-protesters-in-l-a-decry-violence-in-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-10-10|archive-date=2020-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009055040/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-05/armenian-protesters-in-l-a-decry-violence-in-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 October, the LA community held a 100,000-person strong protest march to the Turkish Consulate, in tandem with smaller protests in ], ], ], ] and elsewhere in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Tens of thousands protest outside L.A.'s Turkish Consulate in solidarity with Armenia|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-11/armenian-protest-turkish-consulate|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Sennott|first1=Adam|last2=Lotan|first2=Gal Tziperman|date=11 October 2020|title='America has to do something': Local Armenian Americans protest Azerbaijan conflict |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/11/metro/local-armenian-americans-protest-turkish-conflict/|access-date=2020-10-13|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US}}</ref> LA's mayor expressed support for Armenia and the city's Armenian community by lighting up ] with the ]'s colours.<ref>{{cite web| title =We stand with the people of Armenia – Los Angeles Mayor| work =]| date =October 5, 2020 | url =https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/05/we-stand-with-the-people-of-armenia-los-angeles-mayor/| access-date =October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title =LA city hall building is illuminated with colors of Armenian flag| work =News.am| date = October 15, 2020| url =https://news.am/eng/news/607963.html| access-date =October 15, 2020}}</ref> A protest was held in ] during President Trump's pre-election rally calling on him to sanction Turkey and Azerbaijan; Trump praised them by saying, "the people from Armenia have great spirit for their country".<ref>{{cite web|title=Rally held in OC, Armenian community calling on President Trump to sanction Turkey, Azerbaijan|url=https://www.foxla.com/news/rally-held-in-oc-armenian-community-calling-on-president-trump-to-sanction-turkey-azerbaijan|work=]|date=19 October 2020|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Trump: Armenians have a great spirit for their country|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032038|work=Armenpress|date=19 October 2020|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref> Protests have occurred all over Europe demanding recognition of Artsakh's independence, with the largest rallies held in ], France and in front the ] in ], Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Այլևս երբեք-ի ի՞նչն է անհասկանալի. Սփյուռքը պահանջում է զսպել թուրք-ադրբեջանական ագրեսիան, պատերազմը լուսաբանել օբյեկտիվ|url=http://armtimes.com/hy/article/198456|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Armtimes.com|language=hy |trans-title=Diaspora demands to curb Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression, to cover war objectively}}</ref> A major rally was held in ], Syria by Armenians and Syrians condemning Azerbaijan and Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thousands of Armenians and Arabs protest in Syria, condemn Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression|url=https://news.am/eng/news/609908.html|work=News.am|date=26 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> Armenian communities have also protested globally, notably in Argentina,<ref name=":19">{{cite web|title=Armenians in Argentina decry Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2000291/armenians-in-argentina-decry-nagorno-karabakh-conflict|work=Bangkog Post|date=11 October 2020|access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{cite web|date=18 October 2020|title=Սիդնեյում հայ համայնքի ներկայացուցիչները փակել են կամուրջը՝ ի նշան Ադրբեջանի ագրեսիայի դեմ բողոքի|url=https://news.am/arm/news/608526.html|access-date=18 October 2020|work=Nees.am}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenian Montrealers protest in front of Montreal City Hall|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7400443/armenian-montrealers-protest-montreal-city-hall/|work=Global News|date=15 October 2020|access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> and Uruguay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ուրուգվայի հայ համայնքի հարյուրավոր ներկայացուցիչներ բողոքի ակցիայի են դուրս եկել|url=https://www.shantnews.am/news/view/778494.html|work=Shant News|date=8 October 2020|access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
Because of the geography, history, and sensitivities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, accusations, allegations, and statements have been made of involvement by third-party and international actors. | |||
In October 2020, an organized email campaign by the Armenians resulted in hundreds of emails being sent to ] and the media requesting that SpaceX cancel their upcoming satellite launch for Turkey. SpaceX did not respond.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coldeway |first1=Devin |title=Armenian email campaign asks SpaceX not to aid Turkish regime with satellite launch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/armenian-email-campaign-asks-spacex-not-to-aid-turkish-regime-with-satellite-launch/ |website=techcrunch.com |access-date=October 29, 2020 |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> On October 29, 2020, several hundred Armenians gathered outside SpaceX headquarters in Los Angeles to protest the launch of the Turkish satellite and to persuade SpaceX from doing so. Protesters believe the satellite could be used for military purposes. SpaceX has still not responded and representatives refused to speak to the news.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=October 30, 2020|title=Armenian community protests at SpaceX HQ in Hawthorne over Turkish satellite launch|url=https://abc7.com/armenian-protest-turkey-spacex-turksat/7468290/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=|publisher=ABC 7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Habeshian|first1=Sareen|date=29 October 2020|title=Armenian Americans protest outside SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, call on Elon Musk to nix satellite launch for Turkish government|url=https://ktla.com/news/armenian-americans-protest-outside-spacex-headquarters-in-hawthorne-call-on-elon-musk-to-nix-satellite-launch-for-turkish-government/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=30 October 2020|website=|publisher=KTLA}}</ref> | |||
== International reactions == | |||
On 4 November, around 8:30 p.m. local time, allegedly a group of six to eight Armenian men between 20 and 30 years old walked into a Turkish restaurant on ], saying that they came to "kill the Turks",<ref name="istanbulcafeattack" /> began destroying property inside the establishment and physically attacking the employees both inside and in an alley outside.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Christina |last=Gonzalez |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/beverly-hills-police-investigating-hate-crime-against-turkish-restaurant |title=Beverly Hills police investigating hate crime against Turkish restaurant |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |work=] }}</ref> The victims sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.<ref name="istanbulcafeattack">{{Cite web |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/11/05/beverly-hills-hate-crime-restaurant-pro-armenia/ |title=Police Investigating Hate Crime At Beverly Hills Restaurant That Left Employees With Minor Injuries |date=5 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |work=] }}</ref> ] began investigating the incident as a ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxla.com/video/868057 |title=Hate crime being investigated at Beverly Hills Turkish restaurant |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |work=] }}</ref> Beverly Hills Mayor called it an "unacceptable act of hate and violence", adding that there was "no place for this behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Michael |last=Wittner |url=https://patch.com/california/beverlyhills/beverly-hills-cops-investigate-armenia-related-hate-crime |title=Beverly Hills Investigating Attack At Turkish Restaurant |date=5 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |work=] }}</ref> ], strongly condemned the attack, calling ] to do the same, and urging federal and local authorities to protect ] there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-envoy-slams-us-senator-over-remarks-3552487 |title=Turkish envoy slams US senator over remarks |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Servet |last1=Gunerigok |first2=Ovunc |last2=Kutlu |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkeys-us-envoy-condemns-attack-on-turkish-restaurant/2033941 |title=Turkey's US envoy condemns attack on Turkish restaurant |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |language=en |agency=] }}</ref> | |||
{{Main|International reactions to the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} | |||
On September 27, a nationwide fundraising campaign was launched by ] under the motto "We and Our Borders: All for Artsakh"; getting more than $150 million donations in a month.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘’Hayastan’’ All-Armenian Fund initiates fund-raising for Artsakh|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1029057/|work=Armenpress|date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Donations to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund exceed $150 million|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/26/donations-to-hayastan-all-armenian-fund-exceed-150-million/|work=Public Radio of Armenia|date=26 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> On October 28, an online musical event featuring Armenian and foreign artists was held to raise awareness and funds for Artsakh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iconic musicians unite for Concert for Artsakh|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/22/2112977/0/en/Iconic-musicians-unite-for-Concert-for-Artsakh|work=]|date=22 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> | |||
==== Azerbaijanis and Turks ==== | |||
{{Undue weight section|date=November 2020}} | |||
] and ] demonstrating in support of Azerbaijan in ].]] | |||
On 1 October, ]'s representatives in ] (], ], ] and ]) stated that Nagorno-Karabakh belonged to Azerbaijan, that there was a need to return the territory, and that Azerbaijan's government had acted in accordance with the law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54342771|title=نمایندگان آیتالله خامنهای در چهار استان: قرهباغ متعلق به جمهوری آذربایجان است|date=1 October 2020|publisher=]|language=fa|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004074442/https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54342771|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spokesman">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54433131|title=دولت ایران: ارمنستان باید 'مناطق اشغالی' جمهوری آذربایجان را تخلیه کند|date=6 October 2020|publisher=]|language=fa|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113903/https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54433131|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, several protests erupted in Iranian cities, including the capital ] and ], in support of Azerbaijan. ] demonstrators chanted pro-Azerbaijan slogans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran fears spillover from Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-fears-spillover-from-nagorno-karabakh/a-55250556 |work=] |date=12 October 2020}}</ref> The local security forces intervened, detaining at least 38 people.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2020|title=Protests Erupt In Iran Backing Azerbaijan In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/protests-erupt-in-iran-backing-azerbaijan-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/30870217.html|access-date=10 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009193448/https://www.rferl.org/a/protests-erupt-in-iran-backing-azerbaijan-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/30870217.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The same day, around 50 Azerbaijani representatives from the 5,000-strong community in Moldova expressed their support for Azerbaijan in the capital ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://azertag.az/es/xeber/1601971|title=Los azerbaiyanos de Moldova expresaron su apoyo al ejército azerbaiyano|newspaper=Azerbaijan State News Agency|date=2 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|language=es|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008080314/https://azertag.az/es/xeber/1601971|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 October, ] indicated a readiness to fight for Azerbaijan and the desire that Azerbaijan retake Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amirjanova|first=Shalala|date=2 October 2020|title=Azerbaijanis in Georgia ready to fight for Azerbaijan – report from Marneuli|newspaper=JAMnews|url=https://jam-news.net/georgia-azerbaijanis-conflict-in-karabakh/|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152558/https://jam-news.net/georgia-azerbaijanis-conflict-in-karabakh/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October, ], Iranian Azerbaijanis, and ] living in the United Kingdom gathered in front of ]'s ] headquarters and held a protest rally, condemning the shelling of residential areas and civilians in Ganja, Mingachevir, Tartar, and other regions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijanis-living-in-Britain-hold-protest-rally-in-front-of-Amnesty-International-building-colorredPHOTOcolor-333101 |title=Azerbaijanis living in Britain hold protest rally in front of Amnesty International building – PHOTO |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |website=APA.az |language=en }}</ref> The next day, ] held a rally in ], condemning the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/social-news/Rally-condemning-Ganja-terror-held-in-Illinois-state-of-US-333186 |title=Rally condemning Ganja terror held in Illinois state of US |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |website=APA.az |language=en }}</ref> The following day, ] commemorated those killed during the attacks in front of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/europe/People-who-were-killed-in-Ganja-commemorated-in-front-of-Azerbaijani-Embassy-in-Great-Britain-333252 |title=People, who were killed in Ganja, commemorated in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in Great Britain |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |website=APA.az |language=en }}</ref> while ] held a rally in front the ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Campaign-in-support-to-Azerbaijan-held-in-front-of-parliament-building-in-Tbilisi-colorredPHOTOSESSIONcolor-333268 |title=Campaign in support to Azerbaijan held in front of parliament building in Tbilisi – PHOTOSESSION |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |website=APA.az |language=en }}</ref> On the same day, ] dedicated part of the entrance door of ] in ] to the memory of the victims of the 17 October attack.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Victims-of-act-of-terrorism-committed-by-Armenia-in-Azerbaijans-Ganja-city-were-commemorated-in-Moscow-333276 |title=Victims of act of terrorism committed by Armenia in Azerbaijan’s Ganja city were commemorated in Moscow |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |website=APA.az |language=en }}</ref> Protests erupted in Tabriz, with many Iranian Azerbaijanis chanting pro-Azerbaijani slogans and protesting Iran's alleged arms support to Armenia via the ] border crossing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran on edge as Azeri minority backs Karabakh war |url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/iran-on-edge-as-azeri-minority-backs-karabakh-war/ |work=] |date=8 October 2020}}</ref> Iranian security forces intervened, detaining over 200 people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/tebrizde-qarabaga-destek-mitinqi/5626266.html |title=Təbrizdə keçirilən aksiyada İran-Ermənistan sərhəd məntəqəsinin qapadılması tələb edilib |publisher=] |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=19 October 2020 |language=az }}</ref> On 23 October, American Azerbaijanis gathered in a pro-Trump rally and voiced their support for Azerbaijan,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3322267.html |title=The slogan "Karabakh is Azerbaijan" was raised at the rally of the US President |agency=] |date=23 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> while in ] and ], Azerbaijanis rallied and condemned Armenia for "the ballistic missile attacks" on cities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/3323334.html |title=US Azerbaijanis hold protest in San Francisco against Armenian terror (PHOTOS) |agency=] |date=25 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3324164.html |title=Azerbaijani compatriots living in Minnesota hold protest rally (PHOTO) |agency=] |date=26 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3324163.html |title=Azerbaijanis hold rally in California, condemning Armenian terror (PHOTO) |agency=] |date=26 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> On 26 October, Azerbaijanis organized rallies in ], ], and ], ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3324148.html |title=Protest rally against Armenian attack on Ganja held in Bielefeld, Germany (PHOTO) |agency=] |date=26 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3324157.html |title=Azerbaijanis in Denmark hold protest rally against Armenian terror (PHOTO) |agency=] |date=26 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> | |||
Amid tensions among protesters over Nagorno-Karabakh, dozens of Turks and Azerbaijanis marched through the streets of ], France in the evening of 28 October 2020 and chanted pro-Erdogan slogans while threatening Armenians.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Video shows Turkish and Azeri nationals ‘looking for Armenians’ in France|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turks-azeris-lyon-france-armenians-vienne-video-b1422175.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-10-28|title="Where are the Armenians?!" : punitive expedition of dozens of Turks in the streets of Décines|url=https://www.lyonmag.com/article/111100/8220-vous-etes-ou-les-armeniens-8221-expedition-punitive-de-dizaines-de-turcs-dans-les-rues-de-decines|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=Lyonmag.com|language=fr-FR}}</ref> It followed clashes between members of France's Turkish and Armenian communities on a motorway connecting Lyon and Marseille on Wednesday morning. A demonstration of support for Armenia led to the blocking of the A7 motorway. Four were wounded after violence broke out, including a 23-year-old Armenian who was hospitalized after receiving a hammer blow.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=After clashes between Armenians and Turks on the A7, clashes spread to Vienna and the suburbs of Lyon {{!}} En24 World|url=https://www.en24news.com/2020/10/after-clashes-between-armenians-and-turks-on-the-a7-clashes-spread-to-vienna-and-the-suburbs-of-lyon.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=|language=en-US}}</ref> A few days later, the ] was vandalized with pro-Turkey graffiti and insults by the ], a Turkish ultranationalistic group.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=1 November 2020|title=Lyon: le mémorial du génocide arménien profané par des tags pro-Turquie|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20201101.OBS35493/lyon-le-memorial-du-genocide-armenien-profane-par-des-tags-pro-turquie.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2 November 2020|work=]}}</ref> Following the memorial's vandalisation, France banned the Grey Wolves and enhanced security near Armenian schools and churches in Lyon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/france-bans-turkish-ultra-nationalist-grey-wolves-group/a-55503469|title=France bans Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves group|work=]|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=5 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lyoncapitale.fr/actualite/rhone-presence-militaire-renforcee-pres-des-etablissements-scolaires-et-lieux-de-culte-armeniens/|title=Rhône : sécurité renforcée près des établissements scolaires et lieux de culte arméniens|work=Lyon Capitale|date=5 November 2020|accessdate=5 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
=== Sports === | |||
Due to the conflict, ] announced that the ] home matches of Armenia and Azerbaijan would no longer be hosted in the countries; instead ] will play their designated "home" game in ], Poland; while ] will play in ], Albania.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/international-soccer-games-moved-from-armenia-azerbaijan-1.5134331 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2020-10-10 |archive-date=2020-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010113903/https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/international-soccer-games-moved-from-armenia-azerbaijan-1.5134331 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On 31 October 2020, the ] called on ] and UEFA for sanctions against Azerbaijani club ], after its PR and media manager made a ] on social network calling to "kill all the Armenians, old and young, without distinction".<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenian Football Federation Complains About Qarabag 'Hate' Post|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/armenian-football-federation-complains-about-qarabag-hate-post-01604170205|work=]|date=31 October 2020|access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> The next day, he was punished in an administrative manner for the calls he made expressing cruelty against another nation and inciting national, racial or religious hatred while behaving emotionally on social network.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/accidents-incidents-news/Person-making-harmful-calls-on-social-networks-was-punished-in-administrative-manner-334490 |title=Person making harmful calls on social networks was punished in administrative manner |agency=] |date=1 November 2020 |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.is/6oQFW |archive-date=1 November 2020 }}</ref> UEFA announced that it has banned the Qarabağ official for the "racist and other discriminatory conduct” targeting Armenians.<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA To Investigate Qarabag 'Hate' Post Targeting Armenians|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/uefa-to-investigate-qarabag-hate-post-targeting-armenians-01604337304|work=Barron's|date=2 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1758476/sport|title=UEFA ban Qarabag official for Armenia comments|work=Arab News|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=5 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
=== Celebrities === | |||
Celebrities have commented on the conflict, with some amending their initial positions, including ] and ] who subsequently claimed that they were not taking any sides.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ghazanchyan|first1=Siranush|date=October 5, 2020|title=Elton John calls attention to Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/05/elton-john-calls-attention-to-azerbaijani-turkish-aggression-against-artsakh/|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=Public Radio of Armenia|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=ZORNOSA|first1=LAURA|date=October 7, 2020|title=Cardi B apologizes for misstep and asks for peace in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-10-07/cardi-b-armenia-fundraiser-twitter-apology|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Those in favor of Armenia include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mel Gibson expresses solidarity with Armenians amid Azerbaijan’s aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) |url=https://gagrule.net/mel-gibson-expresses-solidarity-with-armenians-amid-azerbaijans-aggression-against-nagorno-karabakh-artsak |website=gagrule.net |access-date=October 29, 2020 |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=‘Armenians are being slaughtered by Trump pal Erdogan’ – US actor Sean Penn |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032634.html |publisher=Armen Press |access-date=October 27, 2020 |date=October 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Gabriel's Comments on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict |url=https://en.168.am/2020/10/07/39778.html |website=168.am |publisher=168.am |access-date=October 15, 2020 |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zonrnosa |first1=Laura |title=Why these Armenian American celebs are speaking out about a chronic conflict |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-10-08/kardashians-armenian-american-celebs-talk-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-online |website=Los Angeles Times |publisher=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 15, 2020 |date=October 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Former UFC champ Ronda Rousey shows solidarity with Armenia over conflict with Azerbaijan|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/10/6/21504324/former-ufc-champ-ronda-rousey-solidarity-armenia-conflict-azerbaijan-news|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ghazanchyan|first1=Siranush|date=October 3, 2020|title=Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Stop aggression against Armenians and global peace|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/03/henrikh-mkhitaryan-stop-aggression-against-armenians-and-global-peace/|access-date=October 15, 2020|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hollywood star Michael B Jordan expresses support to Armenia|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1030977/|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tinashe Twitter|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/Tinashe/status/1313991236550787077|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> ] and other Kardashians have posted video messages in support of Armenia; donating $1 million to the ].<ref name="kimk">{{cite web|last1=Shafer|first1=Ellise|date=October 11, 2020|title=Kim Kardashian West Donates $1 Million to Armenia Fund Amid Ongoing Conflict With Azerbaijan|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/kim-kardashian-west-armenia-donation-azerbaijan-1234800606/|access-date=October 14, 2020|website=Variety|publisher=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kim Kardashian West donates $1 million to Armenia Fund |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/kim-kardashian-west-donates-dollar1-million-to-armenia-fund/ar-BB19WD9j |website=MSN |publisher=MSN |access-date=October 14, 2020 |date=October 12, 2020}}</ref> Rapper ] posted a tweet stated he would pray for Armenia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West: Praying for Armenia|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/09/29/kanye-west-praying-for-armenia/|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> Armenian-American rock band ] released their first material in 15 years since 2005 album '']'', "]" and "]" in response to the crisis. They used the singles as a fundraiser for the ], with the intention to raise awareness of the war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/system-of-a-down-new-songs-protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-1085942/|title=Hear System of a Down’s First New Music in 15 Years, ‘Protect the Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’|publisher=]|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=6 November 2020|accessdate=6 November 2020}}</ref> | |||
] footballer ] and singer ] tweeted,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201014-arsenals-ozil-favors-azerbaijan-in-karabakh-dispute/|title=Arsenal's Ozil favours Azerbaijan in Karabakh dispute|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sami Yusuf expresses support to Azerbaijan|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Sami_Yusuf_expresses_support_to_Azerbaijan-1599263|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref> while former ] player ] released a video message in support of Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3326115.html |title=Ronaldinho films video message in support of Azerbaijan |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020 |agency=] |language=en }}</ref> Several Turkish celebrities, including ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/magazin/2020/10/22/sinan-akcil-azeri-sarkici-saide-guliyeva-ile-duet-yapti|title=Sinan Akçıl, Azeri şarkıcı Saide Guliyeva ile düet yaptı|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.habererk.com/magazin/hadise-ve-berguzar-korel-den-azerbaycan-a-destek-h135771.html|title=Hadise ve Bergüzar Korel'den Azerbaycan'a destek|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gunboyugazetesi.com.tr/unlu-televizyoncu-acun-ilicalidan-azerbaycan-mesaji-65432h.htm|title=Ünlü televizyoncu Acun Ilıcalı'dan Azerbaycan mesajı|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.takvim.com.tr/galeri/yasam/kim-milyoner-olmak-isterde-kenan-imirzalioglundan-gardas-azerbaycana-selam-kardeslerimize-selam-ve-sevgilerimizle|title=Kim Milyoner Olmak İster'de Kenan İmirzalıoğlu'ndan gardaş Azerbaycan'a selam: "Kardeşlerimize selam ve sevgilerimizle"|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> ], ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ahaber.com.tr/magazin/2020/10/19/tarkan-ve-cem-yilmazdan-ermenistanin-katliamlarina-23-gun-sonra-tepki|title=Tarkan ve Cem Yılmaz’dan Ermenistan’ın katliamlarına 23 gün sonra tepki!.|access-date=2020-11-01}}</ref> also shared their condolences and support to Azerbaijan. | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{Portal|Azerbaijan}} | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
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{{Portal bar|Azerbaijan|War}} | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{ |
{{Notelist}} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* | * | ||
* {{cite journal|url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/Disinformation-in-Armenia_En-v3.pdf|journal=Disinformation and Misinofrmation in Armenia Confronting the Power of False Narratives|date=June 2021|publisher=Freedom House|title=The Second Nagorno Karabakh War|pages=17–23}} | |||
* {{cite web |last1=Michael |first1=A. Reynolds |url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/01/confidence-and-catastrophe-armenia-and-the-second-nagorno-karabakh-war/ |title=Confidence and Catastrophe: Armenia and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War |publisher=War on the Rocks |date=January 2021 |location=Princeton University’s program in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies}} | |||
{{Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict}} | {{Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict}} | ||
{{Wars involving Armenia}} | |||
{{Wars involving Artsakh}} | |||
{{Wars involving Azerbaijan}} | |||
{{Post-Cold War Asian conflicts}} | |||
{{Post-Cold War European conflicts|state=collapsed}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 04:29, 22 December 2024
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan (2020) This article is about the armed conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020. For the armed conflict between 1988 and 1994, see First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War | |||||||||
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Part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict | |||||||||
Areas captured by Azerbaijan during the war Areas ceded to Azerbaijan under the ceasefire agreement Areas in Nagorno-Karabakh proper remaining under the control of Artsakh Lachin corridor and Dadivank monastery, patrolled by Russian peacekeepers | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Azerbaijan Turkey (alleged by Armenia) Syrian mercenaries |
Artsakh Armenia | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Units involved | |||||||||
Azerbaijan Syrian mercenaries | Artsakh Armenia | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
Equipment:
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Equipment:
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Casualties and losses | |||||||||
Per Azerbaijan:
Per SOHR:
See Casualties for details |
Per Armenia/Artsakh:
See Casualties and Prisoners of war for details | ||||||||
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Nagorno-Karabakh conflict | |
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Second Nagorno-Karabakh War | |
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The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict in 2020 that took place in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied territories. It was a major escalation of an unresolved conflict over the region, involving Azerbaijan, Armenia and the self-declared Armenian breakaway state of Artsakh. The war lasted for 44 days and resulted in Azerbaijani victory, with the defeat igniting anti-government protests in Armenia. Post-war skirmishes continued in the region, including substantial clashes in 2022.
Fighting began on the morning of 27 September, with an Azerbaijani offensive along the line of contact established in the aftermath of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988–1994). Clashes were particularly intense in the less mountainous districts of southern Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan.
The war was marked by the deployment of drones, sensors, long-range heavy artillery and missile strikes, as well as by state propaganda and the use of official social media accounts in online information warfare. In particular, Azerbaijan's widespread use of drones was seen as crucial in determining the conflict's outcome. Numerous countries and the United Nations strongly condemned the fighting and called on both sides to de-escalate tensions and resume meaningful negotiations. Three ceasefires brokered by Russia, France, and the United States failed to stop the conflict.
Following the capture of Shusha, the second-largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh, a ceasefire agreement was signed, ending all hostilities in the area from 10 November 2020. The agreement resulted in a major shift regarding the control of the territories in Nagorno-Karabakh and the areas surrounding it. Approximately 2,000 Russian soldiers were deployed as peacekeeping forces along the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, with a mandate of at least five years. Following the end of the war, an unconfirmed number of Armenian prisoners of war were held captive in Azerbaijan, with reports of mistreatment and charges filed against them, leading to a case at the International Court of Justice.
The later 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh would see the entirety of the disputed territory come under the control of Azerbaijan.
Naming
The war has been referred to as the "Second Nagorno-Karabakh War", and has also been called the "44-Day War" in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In Armenia and Artsakh, it has been called the "Second Artsakh War" (Armenian: Արցախյան երկրորդ պատերազմ, romanized: Arts'akhyan yerkrord paterazm), "Patriotic War" and the "Fight for Survival" (Armenian: Գոյամարտ, romanized: Goyamart).
In Azerbaijan, it has been called the "Second Karabakh War" (Azerbaijani: İkinci Qarabağ müharibəsi) and "Patriotic War". The Azerbaijani government referred to it as an "operation for peace enforcement" and "counter-offensive operation". It later announced it had initiated military operations under the code-name "Operation Iron Fist" (Azerbaijani: Dəmir Yumruq əməliyyatı).
Background
Further information: History of Nagorno-Karabakh and Nagorno-Karabakh conflictThe territorial ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh is fiercely contested between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The current conflict has its roots in events following World War I and today the region is de jure part of Azerbaijan, although large parts were de facto held by the internationally unrecognised Republic of Artsakh, which is supported by Armenia.
Soviet era
Main article: Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous OblastDuring the Soviet era, the predominantly Armenian-populated region was governed as an autonomous oblast within the Azerbaijan SSR. As the Soviet Union began to disintegrate during the late 1980s the question of Nagorno-Karabakh's status re-emerged, and on 20 February 1988 the parliament of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast passed a resolution requesting transfer of the oblast from the Azerbaijan SSR to the Armenian SSR. Azerbaijan rejected the request several times, and ethnic violence began shortly thereafter with a series of pogroms between 1988 and 1990 against Armenians in Sumgait, Ganja and Baku, and against Azerbaijanis in Gugark and Stepanakert. Following the revocation of Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomous status, an independence referendum was held in the region on 10 December 1991. The referendum was boycotted by the Azerbaijani population, which then constituted around 22.8% of the region's population; 99.8% of participants voted in favour. In early 1992, following the Soviet Union's collapse, the region descended into outright war.
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
Main article: First Nagorno-Karabakh WarThe First Nagorno-Karabakh War resulted in the displacement of approximately 725,000 Azerbaijanis and 300,000–500,000 Armenians from both Azerbaijan and Armenia. The 1994 Bishkek Protocol brought the fighting to an end and resulted in significant Armenian territorial gains: in addition to controlling most of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Republic of Artsakh also occupied the surrounding Azerbaijani-populated districts of Agdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Kalbajar, Qubadli, Lachin and Zangilan. The terms of the Bishkek agreement produced a frozen conflict, and long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by the OSCE Minsk Group in 1994, with the interrupted Madrid Principles being the most recent iteration prior to the 2020 war. The United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions in 1993 calling for the withdrawal of "occupying forces" from the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, and in 2008 the General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces, although the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and USA, voted against it.
Frozen conflict
See also: July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashesFor three decades multiple violations of the ceasefire occurred, the most serious being the four-day 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Surveys indicated that the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh did not want to be part of Azerbaijan and in 2020 the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to make Shusha, a city of historical and cultural significance to both Armenians and Azerbaijanis, Artsakh's new capital. In August of the same year the government of Artsakh moved the country's parliament to Shusha, escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Further skirmishes occurred on the border between the two countries in July 2020. Thousands of Azerbaijanis rallied for war against Armenia in response, and Turkey voiced its firm support for Azerbaijan. On 29 July 2020, Azerbaijan conducted a series of military exercises that lasted from 29 July to 10 August 2020, followed by further exercises in early September with the involvement of Turkey. Prior to the resumption of hostilities, allegations emerged that Turkey had facilitated the transfer of hundreds of Syrian National Army members from the Hamza Division to Azerbaijan. Baku denied the involvement of foreign fighters.
Course of the war
Main article: Timeline of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarOverview
The conflict was characterised by the widespread use of combat drones, particularly by Azerbaijan, as well as heavy artillery barrages, rocket attacks and trench warfare. Throughout the campaign, Azerbaijan relied heavily on drone strikes against Armenian/Artsakh forces, inflicting heavy losses upon Armenian tanks, artillery, air defence systems and military personnel, although some Azerbaijani drones were shot down. It also featured the deployment of cluster munitions, which are banned by the majority of the international community but not by Armenia or Azerbaijan. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan used cluster munitions against civilian areas outside of the conflict zone. A series of missile attacks on Ganja, Azerbaijan inflicted mass civilian casualties, as did artillery strikes on Stepanakert, Artsakh's capital. Much of Stepanakert's population fled during the course of the fighting. The conflict was accompanied by coordinated attempts to spread misleading content and disinformation via social media and the internet.
The conflict began with an Azerbaijani ground offensive that included armoured formations, supported by artillery and drones, including loitering munitions. Armenian and Artsakh troops were forced back from their first line of defence in Artsakh's southeast and northern regions, but inflicted significant losses on Azerbaijani armoured formations with anti-tank guided missiles and artillery, destroying dozens of vehicles. Azerbaijan made heavy use of drones in strikes against Armenian air defences, taking out 13 short-range surface-to-air missile systems. Azerbaijani forces used drones to systematically isolate and destroy Armenian/Artsakh positions. Reconnaissance drones would locate a military position on the front lines and the placement of reserve forces, after which the position would be shelled along with roads and bridges that could potentially be used by the reserves to reach the position. After the Armenian/Artsakh position had been extensively shelled and cut off from reinforcement, the Azerbaijanis would move in superior forces to overwhelm it. This tactic was repeatedly used to gradually overrun Armenian and Artsakh positions. Azerbaijani troops managed to make limited gains in the south in the first three days of the conflict. For the next three days, both sides largely exchanged fire from fixed positions. In the north, Armenian/Artsakh forces counterattacked, managing to retake some ground. Their largest counterattack took place on the fourth day, but incurred heavy losses when their armour and artillery units were exposed to Azerbaijani attack drones, loitering munitions, and reconnaissance drones spotting for Azerbaijani artillery as they manoeuvred in the open.
Azerbaijan targeted infrastructure throughout Artsakh starting on the first day of the war, including the use of rocket artillery and cluster munitions against Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, and a missile strike against a bridge in the Lachin Corridor linking Armenia with Artsakh. On the 6th day of the war, Armenia/Artsakh targeted Ganja for the first of four times with ballistic missiles, nominally targeting the military portion of Ganja International Airport but instead hitting residential areas. On the morning of the seventh day, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive. The Azerbaijani Army's First, Second, and Third Army Corps, reinforced by reservists from the Fourth Army Corps, began an advance in the north, making some territorial gains, but the Azerbaijani advance stalled.
Most of the fighting subsequently shifted to the south, in terrain that is relatively flat and underpopulated as compared to the mountainous north. Azerbaijani forces launched offensives toward Jabrayil and Füzuli, managing to break through the multi-layered Armenian/Artsakh defensive lines and recapture a stretch of territory held by Armenian troops as a buffer zone, but the fighting subsequently stalled.
After the shelling of Martuni, Artsakh authorities began mobilising civilians. Just before 04:00 (00:00 UTC) on 10 October 2020, Russia reported that both Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire after ten hours of talks in Moscow (the Moscow Statement) and announced that both would enter "substantive" talks. After the declared ceasefire, the President of Artsakh admitted Azerbaijan had been able to achieve some success, moving the front deep into Artsakh territory; the Armenian Prime Minister announced that Armenian forces had conducted a "partial retreat".
The ceasefire quickly broke down and the Azerbaijani advance continued. Within days Azerbaijan announced the capture of dozens of villages on the southern front. A second ceasefire attempt midnight 17 October 2020 was also ignored. Azerbaijan announced the capture of Jabrayil on 9 October 2020 and Füzuli on 17 October 2020. Azerbaijani troops also captured the Khoda Afarin Dam and Khodaafarin Bridges. Azerbaijan announced that the border area with Iran was fully secured with the capture of Agbend on 22 October 2020. Azerbaijani forces then turned northwest, advancing towards the Lachin corridor, the sole highway between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, putting it within artillery range. According to Artsakh, a counterattack repelled forward elements of the Azerbaijani force and pushed them back. Armenian/Artsakh resistance had managed to halt the Azerbaijani advance to within 25 kilometres of the Lachin corridor by 26 October 2020. Artsakh troops who had retreated into the mountains and forests began launching small-unit attacks against exposed Azerbaijani infantry and armour, and Armenian forces launched a counteroffensive near the far southwestern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On 26 October 2020, a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect, but fighting resumed within minutes. Three days later, the Artsakh authorities stated that the Azerbaijani forces were 5 km (3.1 mi) from Shusha. On 8 November 2020, Azerbaijani forces seized Shusha, the second-largest city in Artsakh before the war, located 15 kilometres from Stepanakert, the republic's capital.
Although the amount of territory contested was relatively restricted, the conflict impacted the wider region, in part due to the type of munitions deployed. Shells and rockets landed in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, although no damage was reported, and Iran reported that several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had been downed or had crashed within its territory. Georgia stated that two UAVs had crashed in its Kakheti Province.
Ceasefire agreement
Main article: 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreementOn 9 November 2020, in the aftermath of the capture of Shusha, a ceasefire agreement was signed by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, ending all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from 10 November 2020, 00:00 Moscow time. The President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, also agreed to end the hostilities.
Under the terms of the deal, both belligerent parties were to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of the fallen. Furthermore, Armenian forces were to withdraw from Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh by 1 December 2020, while a peacekeeping force, provided by the Russian Ground Forces and led by Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov, of just under 2,000 soldiers would be deployed for a minimum of five years along the line of contact and the Lachin corridor linking Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Additionally, Armenia undertook to "guarantee safety" of transport communication between Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave and mainland Azerbaijan in both directions, while Russia's border troops (under the Federal Security Service) were to "exercise control over the transport communication".
On 15 December 2020, after several weeks of cease fire, the sides finally exchanged prisoners of war. 44 Armenian and 12 Azeri prisoners were exchanged. It is unclear whether more prisoners remain in captivity on either side.
Territorial changes
At the time of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan had retaken most of the area south of the Lachin corridor. It had also captured one-third of Nagorno-Karabakh, mostly in the south. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Azerbaijan regained control over much of its territory that had been lost to Armenia in the earlier war. In total, Azerbaijan regained control of 72% of the disputed territory, including the territory captured in Nagorno-Karabakh. It was reported that Azerbaijan regained control of 5 cities, 4 towns, 286 villages.
Non-military actions taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan
Since the beginning of the conflict, both Armenia and Azerbaijan declared martial law, limiting the freedom of speech. Meanwhile, a new law came into effect since October 2020 in Armenia, which prohibits negative coverage of the situation at the front. Restrictions have been reported on the work of international journalists in Azerbaijan, with no corresponding restrictions reported in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia
On 28 September 2020, Armenia banned men aged over 18 listed in the mobilisation reserve from leaving the country. The next day, it postponed the trial of former President Robert Kocharyan and other former officials charged in the 2008 post-election unrest case, owing to one of the defendants, the former Defence Minister of Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan, going to Artsakh during the conflict.
On 1 October 2020, the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) stated that it had arrested and charged a former high-ranking Armenian military official with treason on suspicion of spying for Azerbaijan. Three days later, the NSS stated that it had arrested several foreign citizens on suspicion of spying. Protesting Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan, Armenia recalled its ambassador to Israel.
On 8 October 2020, the Armenian President, Armen Sarkissian, dismissed the director of the NSS. Subsequently, the Armenian government toughened the martial law and prohibited criticising state bodies and "propaganda aimed at disruption of the defense capacity of the country". On the same day, the Armenian MoD cancelled a Novaya Gazeta correspondent's journalistic accreditation, officially for entering Nagorno-Karabakh without accreditation. On 9 October 2020, Armenia tightened its security legislation. On 21 October 2020, the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers temporarily banned the import of Turkish goods, the decision will come into force on 31 December 2020. The following day, the Armenian parliament passed a law to write off the debts of the Armenian servicemen wounded during the clashes and the debts of the families of those killed.
On 27 October 2020, the Armenian president Armen Sarkissian dismissed the head of the counterintelligence department of the National Security Service, Major General Hovhannes Karumyan and the chief of staff of the border troops of the National Security Service Gagik Tevosyan. On 8 November 2020, Sarkissian yet again dismissed the interim head of the National Security Service.
As of 8 November 2020, one Armenian activist was fined by the police for his anti-war post.
Azerbaijan
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijani authorities restricted internet access shortly after the clashes began, stating it was "in order to prevent large-scale Armenian provocations." The government made a noticeable push to use Twitter, which was the only unblocked platform in the country. Despite the restrictions, some Azerbaijanis still used VPNs to bypass them. The National Assembly of Azerbaijan declared a curfew in Baku, Ganja, Goygol, Yevlakh and a number of districts from midnight on 28 September 2020, under the Interior Minister, Vilayet Eyvazov. Azerbaijan Airlines announced that all airports in Azerbaijan would be closed to regular passenger flights until 30 September 2020. The Military Prosecutor's Offices of Fuzuli, Tartar, Karabakh and Ganja began criminal investigations of war and other crimes.
Also on 28 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree authorising a partial mobilisation in Azerbaijan. On 8 October 2020, Azerbaijan recalled its ambassador to Greece for consultations, following allegations of Armenians from Greece arriving in Nagorno-Karabakh to fight against Azerbaijan. Three days later, the Azerbaijani State Security Service (SSS) warned against a potential Armenian-backed terror attack.
On 17 October 2020, the Azerbaijani MoFA stated that member of the Russian State Duma from the ruling United Russia, Vitaly Milonov, was declared persona non grata in Azerbaijan for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh without permission from the Azerbaijani government. On 24 October 2020, by recommendation of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the member banks of the Azerbaijani Banks' Association unanimously adopted a decision to write off the debts of the military servicemen and civilians who died during the conflict.
On 29 October 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued a decree on the formation of temporary commandant's offices in the areas that the Azerbaijani forces seized control of during the conflict. According to the decree, the commandants will be appointed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but they will have to coordinate with other executive bodies of the government, including Ministry of Defense, the State Border Service, the State Security Service, and ANAMA.
Over the course of the war several Azerbaijani activists were brought in for questioning by the State Security Service, due to their anti-war activism. On 12 December, a decree by President Aliyev lifted the curfew that had been imposed in September.
Casualties
Main article: Casualties of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarCasualties were high, officially in the low thousands. According to official figures released by the belligerents, Armenia lost 3,825 troops killed and 187 missing, while Azerbaijan lost 2,906 troops killed, with six missing in action. During the conflict, it was noted that the sides downplayed the number of their own casualties and exaggerated the numbers of enemy casualties and injuries.
Civilians
The Armenian authorities stated that 85 Armenian civilians were killed during the war, while another 21 were missing. According to Azerbaijani sources, the Armenian military has targeted densely populated areas containing civilian structures. As of 9 November 2020, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan stated that during the war, as a result of reported shelling by Armenian artillery and rocketing, 100 people had been killed, while 416 people had been wounded. Also, during the post-war clashes, the Azerbaijani authorities stated that an Azercell employee was seriously injured during the installation of communication facilities and transmission equipment near Hadrut.
As of 23 October 2020, the Armenian authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced more than half of Nagorno-Karabakh's population or approximately 90,000 people. The International Rescue Committee has also claimed that more than half of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been displaced by the conflict. As of 2 November 2020, the Azerbaijani authorities has stated that the conflict had displaced approximately 40,000 people in Azerbaijan.
Seven journalists have been injured. On 1 October 2020, two French journalists from Le Monde covering the clashes in Khojavend were injured by Azerbaijani shellfire. A week later, three Russian journalists reporting in Shusha were seriously injured by an Azerbaijani attack. On 19 October 2020, according to Azerbaijani sources, an Azerbaijani AzTV journalist received shrapnel wounds from Armenian shellfire in Aghdam District.
Military
Wounded Azerbaijani servicemen attending the victory parade on 10 December.An Artsakh 2S1 Gvozdika captured as a war trophy by the Azerbaijani forces, displayed on 10 December during the victory parade.Armenian authorities reported the deaths of 3,825 servicemen during the war, while the Azerbaijani authorities stated that more than 5,000 Armenian servicemen were killed, and several times more were wounded as of 28 October 2020. After the war, the former director of the Armenian National Security Service, Artur Vanetsyan, had also stated that some 5,000 Armenians were killed during the war. Also, the Armenian authorities had stated that about 60 Armenian servicemen were captured by Azerbaijan as prisoners of war. The former Head of the Military Control Service of the Armenian MoD, Movses Hakobyan, stated that already on the fifth day of war there were 1,500 deserters from Armenian armed forces, who were kept in Karabakh and not allowed to return to Armenia in order to prevent panic. The press secretary of Armenian prime minister called the accusations absurd and asked the law enforcement agencies to deal with them. Former military commissar of Armenia major-general Levon Stepanyan stated that the number of deserters in Armenian army was over 10,000, and it is not possible to prosecute such a large number of military personnel. During the post-war clashes, the Armenian government stated that 60 servicemen went missing, including several dozen that were captured. and On 27 October 2020, Artsakh authorities stated that its defence minister Jalal Harutyunyan was wounded in action. However, unofficial Azerbaijani military sources alleged that he was killed and released footage apparently showing the assassination from a drone camera.
During the conflict, the government of Azerbaijan did not reveal the number of its military casualties. On 11 January, Azerbaijan stated that 2,853 of its soldiers had been killed during the war, while another 50 went missing. Also, Azerbaijani authorities stated that 11 more Azerbaijani servicemen were killed during the post-war clashes or landmine explosions. On 23 October 2020, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, confirmed that Shukur Hamidov who was made National Hero of Azerbaijan in 2016, was killed during the operations in Qubadli District. This was the first military casualty officially confirmed by the government. However, Armenian and Artsakh authorities have claimed 7,630 Azerbaijani soldiers and Syrian mercenaries were killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of at least 541 Syrian fighters or mercenaries fighting for Azerbaijan. On 14 November 2020, the Observatory reported the death of a commander of the Syrian National Army's Hamza Division.
Infrastructure damage
Civilian areas, including major cities, have been hit, including Azerbaijan's second-largest city, Ganja, and the region's capital, Stepanakert, with many buildings and homes destroyed. The Ghazanchetsots Cathedral has also been damaged. Several outlets reported increased cases of COVID-19 in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly the city of Stepanakert, where the population was forced to live in overcrowded bunkers, due to Azerbaijan artillery and drone strikes conflict. There were also reported difficulties in testing and contact tracing during the conflict.
The Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shusha became damaged as a result of shelling. On 19 October 2020, a strong fire broke out in a cotton plant in Azad Qaraqoyunlu, Tartar District, as a result of the Armenian artillery shelling, with several large hangars of the plant becoming completely burned down. An Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman report noted 5,800 private properties and 520 private vehicles destroyed, with damage to 960 items of civilian infrastructure, and industrial and public and objects. On 16 November 2020, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan reported 3,410 private houses, 512 civilian facilities, and 120 multi-storey residential buildings being damaged throughout the war.
Equipment losses
By 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan reported to have destroyed about 250 tanks and other armoured vehicles; 150 other military vehicles; 11 command and command-observation posts; 270 artillery units and MLRSs, including a BM-27 Uragan; 60 Armenian anti-aircraft systems, including 4 S-300 and 25 9K33 Osas; 18 UAVs and 8 arms depots. destroyed. As of 16 October 2020, the Azerbaijani President stated that the Armenian losses were at US$2 billion. In turn an Azerbaijani helicopter was stated to have been damaged, but its crew had apparently returned it to Azerbaijani-controlled territory without casualties. Later it was reported that on 12 October 2020, Azerbaijan had destroyed one Tochka-U missile launcher. On 14 October 2020, Azerbaijan stated it had further destroyed five T-72 tanks, three BM-21 Grad rocket launchers, one 9K33 Osa missile system, one BMP-2 vehicle, one KS-19 air defence gun, two D-30 howitzers and several Armenian army automobiles. On the same day, Azerbaijan announced the destruction of three R-17 Elbrus tactical ballistic missile launchers that had been targeting Ganja and Mingachevir. BBC reporters confirmed the destruction of at least one tactical ballistic missile launcher in the vicinity of Vardenis, close to the border with Azerbaijan, and posted photo evidence in support of this information. Later American journalist Josh Friedman posted a high quality video of a destroyed Armenian ballistic missile launcher.
Armenian and Artsakh authorities initially reported the downing of four Azerbaijani helicopters and the destruction of ten tanks and IFVs, as well as 15 drones. Later the numbers were revised to 36 tanks and armoured personnel vehicles destroyed, two armoured combat engineering vehicles destroyed and four helicopters and 27 unmanned aerial vehicles downed all within the first day of hostilities. They released footage showing the destruction or damage of five Azerbaijani tanks. Over the course of 2 October, the Artsakh Defence Army said they had destroyed 39 Azerbaijani military vehicles, including a T-90 tank; four SU-25 fighter-bombers; three Mi-24 attack helicopters; and 17 UAVs.
According to Dutch warfare research group Oryx, which documents visually confirmed losses on both sides, Armenia lost 255 tanks (destroyed: 146, damaged: 6, captured: 103), 78 armoured fighting vehicles (destroyed: 25, damaged: 1, captured: 52), and 737 trucks, vehicles and jeeps (destroyed: 331, damaged: 18, captured: 387), while Azerbaijan lost 62 tanks (destroyed: 38, damaged: 16, abandoned: 1, captured: 7, captured but later lost: 1), 23 armoured fighting vehicles (destroyed: 6, damaged: 3, abandoned: 7, captured: 9), 76 trucks, vehicles and jeeps (destroyed: 40, damaged: 22, abandoned: 8, captured: 6), as well 11 old An-2 aircraft, used as unmanned bait in order for Armenia to reveal the location of air defence systems. Oryx only counts destroyed vehicles and equipment of which photo or videographic evidence is available, and therefore, the actual number of equipment destroyed is higher.
Suspected war crimes
Main article: War crimes in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarUN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that "indiscriminate attacks on populated areas anywhere, including in Stepanakert, Ganja and other localities in and around the immediate Nagorno-Karabakh zone of conflict, were totally unacceptable". Amnesty International stated that both Azerbaijani and Armenian forces committed war crimes during recent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, and called on Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to immediately conduct independent, impartial investigations, identify all those responsible, and bring them to justice. Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights recognized that violent conflict affected all sides in the conflict but distinguished "the collateral damage of Azerbaijanis" from "the policy of atrocities such as mutilations and beheadings committed by Azerbaijani forces and their proxies in Artsakh." Azerbaijan started an investigation on war crimes by Azerbaijani servicemen in November and as of 14 December, has arrested four of its servicemen.
Aftermath
Armenia
See also: 2020–2021 Armenian protests, 2021 Armenian political crisis, and Armenian prisoners of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarShortly after the news about the signing the ceasefire agreement broke in the early hours of 10 November violent protests erupted in Armenia against Nikol Pashinyan, claiming he was a "traitor" for having accepted the peace deal. Protesters also seized the parliament building by breaking a metal door, and pulled the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan from a car and beat him. Throughout November, numerous Armenian officials resigned from their posts, including the Armenian minister of foreign affairs, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the minister of defence, David Tonoyan, head of the same ministry's military control service, Movses Hakobyan, and the spokesman of Armenia's Defense Ministry, Artsrun Hovhannisyan.
After the ceasefire agreement was signed, President Armen Sarksyan held a meeting with Karekin II, where they both made a call to declare 22 November as the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes who fell for the Defense of the Motherland in the Artsakh Liberation War. On 16 November, he declared that snap parliamentary elections and Pashinyan's resignation were inevitable, proposing that a process be overseen and managed by an interim "National Accord Government".
On 10 December, the Armenian media reported that an Azerbaijani citizen was detained at night near Berdavan in Tavush Province. It was reported that an Azerbaijani civilian was observed in Berdavan between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning. The executive head of Berdavan, Smbat Mugdesyan, said that the NSS had taken him away and that he did not know other details. According to the Armenian media, a criminal case was opened against the detained citizen on suspicion of illegally crossing to the Armenian state border. The name of the detained Azerbaijani was not disclosed. According to the BBC Azerbaijani Service, Azerbaijan's Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries said they had no information about the incident.
On 12 December, Azerbaijani trucks, accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers, entered David Bek in Syunik Province of Armenia to pick up the bodies of fallen soldiers. Armenian officials refuted the media reports of Azerbaijani vehicles entering Goris.
On 16 December, the family members of the missing Armenian soldiers gathered in front of the Armenian Ministry of Defence building, demanding information about their loved ones. They were not allowed into the building and Armenian military representatives did not give a response. A scuffle ensued, during which the family members of the missing Armenian soldiers broke through to the building.
Azerbaijan
The peace agreement and the end of the war was seen as a victory and was widely celebrated in Azerbaijan. On 10 November 2020, crowds waved flags in Baku after the peace deal was announced. On that day, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave a speech in which he mockingly said Nə oldu Paşinyan? ("What happened Pashinyan?"), which became an Internet meme in Azerbaijan and Turkey. On 11 November, at a meeting with wounded Azerbaijani servicemen who took part in the war, Aliyev said that new orders and medals would be established in Azerbaijan, and that he gave appropriate instructions on awarding civilians and servicemen who showed "heroism on the battlefield and in the rear and distinguished themselves in this war." He also proposed the names of these orders and medals. About a week later, at a plenary session of the Azerbaijani National Assembly, a draft law on amendments to the law "On the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was submitted for discussion. Seventeen new orders and medals were established on the same day in the first reading in accordance with the bill "On the establishment of orders and medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan". In mid-November, Aliyev and Azerbaijan's First Vice-president, Mehriban Aliyeva, visited Fuzuli and Jabrayil Districts, both of which were ghost towns in ruins after the Armenian forces occupied it in 1993. Aliyev ordered the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads to construct a new highway, starting from Alxanlı, which will connect Fuzuli to Shusha. In Jabrayil, Aliyev stated that a "new master plan" will be drawn up to rebuild the city.
27 September and 10 November were declared Memorial Day and Victory Day respectively, although the latter's date was changed to 8 November as it overlapped with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Memorial Day in Turkey. It was also announced that the new station in the Baku Metro will be named 8 November at the suggestion of Aliyev. On the same day, President Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the YASHAT Foundation to support the families of those wounded and killed during the war, and general control over the management of the foundation was transferred to the ASAN service. On 2 December, the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan announced that the bank debts of servicemen and civilians killed during the war in Azerbaijan would be completely written off. On 4 December, at 12:00 (GMT+4) local time, a moment of silence was held in Azerbaijan to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the war. Flags were lowered across the country, and traffic halted, while ships moored in the Bay of Baku, as well as cars honked their horns. A unity prayer was held at the Heydar Mosque in Baku in memory of those killed in the war, and Shaykh al-Islām Allahshukur Pashazadeh, chairman of the Religious Council of the Caucasus, said that "Sunnis and Shiites prayed for the souls of our martyrs together." Commemoration ceremonies were also held in mosques in Sumgayit, Guba, Ganja, Shamakhi, Lankaran, Shaki, in churches in Baku and Ganja, and in the synagogue of Ashkenazi Jews in Baku. On 9 December, President Aliyev awarded 83 servicemen with the title of Hero of the Patriotic War, 204 servicemen with Karabakh Order, and 33 servicemen with Zafar Order.
A victory parade was held on 10 December in honour of the Azerbaijani victory on Azadliq Square, with 3,000 military servicemen who distinguished themselves during the war marched alongside military equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft, as well as Armenian war trophies, and Turkish soldiers and officers. Turkish President Erdoğan attended the military parade as part of a state visit to Baku. In April 2021, Azerbaijan opened a Military Trophy Park featuring items from the conflict.
According to peer-reviewed journal Caucasus Survey:
…for the first time in the post-Soviet era, the Azerbaijani leadership has achieved a high degree of social solidarity. All opposition parties and organizations, including the Popular Front, Musavat, ReAl, and National Council, expressed their full support for the war. The citizens acquired a shared emotional experience of "making history". (...) The government received the stamp of approval from its most vicious critics. The authoritarian government and the civil society it long persecuted were united in the name of homeland. The definition of homeland, consequently, has been reduced to a military victory for the soil, not values or the rights or lives of its people. By supporting a war the government waged, both the opposition and civil society contributed to the creation of a new source and reserve of legitimacy for authoritarianism. Further, while the opposition and civil society criticized the regime in Russia for its authoritarianism and imperialist nationalism, the majority of them did not express misgivings about the no less authoritarian and imperialist politics of Turkey, and enthusiastically embraced ultra-right pan-Turkism.
Transfer of territories and flight of Armenian population
Main article: Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh § 2020 warExternal videos | |
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Nagorno-Karabakh: The families burning down their own homes on YouTube |
The Armenian population of the territories ceded to Azerbaijan was forced to flee to Armenia, sometimes destroying their houses and livestock to keep them out of Azerbaijani hands.
Turkish-Russian peacekeeping
Main article: Peacekeeping operations in Nagorno-KarabakhPost-ceasefire clashes
Main article: Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisisCanada's boycott of arms exports to Turkey
In 2020, Canada suspended arms exports to Turkey due to accusations of the use of Canadian technology in the conflict, in violation of end-use assurances Turkey had given to Canada. Turkey criticised the Canadian decision. In 2021, Canada prohibited arms exports to Turkey after an investigation verified the accusations. Turkey protested that the embargo will harm bilateral relations and NATO alliance solidarity.
Analysis
Nationalist sentiment
Further information: Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan and Anti-Azerbaijani sentiment in ArmeniaWhile Armenians and Azerbaijanis lived side by side under Soviet rule, the collapse of the Soviet Union contributed to racialisation and fierce nationalism, causing both Armenians and Azerbaijanis to stereotype each other, shaping rhetoric on both sides. Before, during and after the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the growth of anti-Armenian and anti-Azerbaijan sentiment resulted in ethnic violence, including pogroms against Armenians in Azerbaijan, as in Sumgait and Baku, and against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as at Gugark and Stepanakert.
Azerbaijani aims
In a 27 September 2020 interview, regional expert Thomas de Waal said that it was highly unlikely that hostilities were initiated by the Armenian side, as they were already in possession of the disputed territory and were incentivised to normalise the status quo, while "for various reasons, Azerbaijan calculate that military action w win it something". The suspected immediate goal of the Azerbaijani offensive was to capture the districts of Fuzuli and Jabrayil in southern Nagorno-Karabakh, where the terrain is less mountainous and more favourable for offensive operations. Political scientist Arkady Dubnov of the Carnegie Moscow Center believed that Azerbaijan had launched the offensive to improve Azerbaijan's position in a suitable season for hostilities in the terrain.
Turkey and Russia
The geostrategic interests of Russia and Turkey in the region were widely commented upon during the war. Both were described as benefiting from the ceasefire agreement, with The Economist stating that for Russia, China and Turkey, "all sides stand to benefit economically". In late October, massed Russian airstrikes targeted a training camp for Failaq al-Sham, one of the largest Turkish-backed Sunni Islamist rebel groups in Syria's Idlib province, killing 78 militants in an act widely interpreted as a warning shot to Ankara over the latter's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh fighting.
Turkey
Azerbaijan and Turkey are bound by ethnic, cultural and historic ties, and both countries refer to their relationship as being one between "two states, one nation". Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire) helped Azerbaijan, previously part of the Russian Empire gain its independence in 1918, and became the first country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkey has also been the guarantor of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave of Azerbaijan, since 1921. Other commentators have seen Turkey's support for Azerbaijan as part of an activist foreign policy, linking it with neo-Ottoman policies in Syria, Iraq, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey's highly visible role in the conflict was described by Armenians as a continuation of the Armenian genocide, the mass murder and expulsion of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman government, particularly given Turkey's continued denial of the genocide. Turkey provided military support to Azerbaijan, including military experts and Syrian mercenaries. The transport communications stipulated by the ceasefire agreement, linking Nakhchivan and the main part of Azerbaijan through Armenia, would provide Turkey with trade access to Central Asia and China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Russia
Russia had sought to maintain good relations with Azerbaijan and had sold weapons to both parties. Even prior to the war, Russia had possessed a military base in Armenia as part of a military alliance with Armenia, and thus was obligated by treaty to defend Armenia in the case of a war. Like in Syria and in Libya's ongoing civil war, Russia and NATO-member Turkey therefore had opposing interests. Turkey appeared to use the conflict to attempt to leverage its influence in the South Caucasus along its eastern border, using both military and diplomatic resources to extend its sphere of influence in the Middle East, and to marginalise the influence of Russia, another regional power. Russia had historically pursued a policy of maintaining neutrality in the conflict, and Armenia never formally requested aid. According to the director of the Russia studies program at the CNA, at the beginning of the war Russia was judged to be unlikely to intervene militarily unless Armenia incurred drastic losses. The Russian MoFA also released a statement, saying that Russia will provide Armenia with "all the necessary assistance" if the war continued on the territories of Armenia, as both countries are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Nonetheless, when the Azerbaijani forces reportedly struck the Armenian territories on 14 October 2020, Russia did not directly interfere in the conflict. In a piece published by the Russian broadsheet Vedomosti on 10 November, Konstantin Makienko, a member of the State Duma Defence Committee, wrote that the geopolitical consequences of the war were "catastrophic" not only for Armenia but for Russia as well, because Moscow's influence in the Southern Caucasus had dwindled while "the prestige of a successful and feisty Turkey, contrariwise, had increased immensely". Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Moscow Center took the opposite view, describing the peace agreement as "a win for Russia", as it had "prevented the conclusive defeat of Nagorno-Karabakh" and, by placing Russia in charge of the strategic Lachin corridor, boosted the country's leverage in the region.
The relative success of Azerbaijan in meeting its strategic goals to gain control over Nagorno-Karabakh via the use of military force may have influenced the Russian decision to invade Ukraine in 2022.
Military tactics
Azerbaijan's oil wealth allowed a consistently higher military budget than Armenia, and it purchased advanced weapons systems from Israel, Russia and Turkey. Despite the similar size of both militaries, Azerbaijan possessed superior tanks, armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, and had also amassed a fleet of Turkish and Israeli drones. Armenia built its own drones, but these were greatly inferior to the Turkish and Israeli drones owned by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan had a quantitative advantage in artillery systems, particularly self-propelled guns and long-range multiple rocket launchers, while Armenia had a minor advantage in tactical ballistic missiles. Because of the air defence systems of both sides, there was little use of manned aviation during the conflict. In the opinion of military analyst Michael Kofman, Director of the Russia Studies Program at the CNA and a Fellow at the Kennan Institute, Azerbaijan deployed mercenaries from Syria to minimise Azeri troop casualties: "They took quite a few casualties early on, especially in the south-east, and these mercenaries were essentially used as expendable assault troops to go in the first wave. They calculated quite cynically that if it turned out these offensives were not successful early on, then it was best these casualties would be among mercenaries not Azerbaijani forces."
According to Gustav Gressel, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, the Armenian Army was superior to the Azerbaijani Army on a tactical level, with better officers, more agile leadership, and higher motivation in soldiers but these were overcome by Azerbaijan's innovative use of drones to discover Armenian forward and reserve positions followed by conventional artillery and ballistic missiles to isolate and destroy Armenian forces. Gressel argues that European militaries are not better prepared for anti-drone warfare than Armenia's (with only France and Germany having some limited jamming capabilities) and warns that a lack of gun-based self-propelled air-defence systems and radar systems capable of tracking drones (using "plot-fusion" of several radar echoes) makes European forces extremely vulnerable to loitering munitions and small drones.
In the opinion of a Forbes magazine contributor, Azerbaijan managed to inflict a devastating and decisive defeat through adept usage of sophisticated military hardware which avoided bogging down in a costly war of attrition. According to Forbes, Azerbaijan had prepared itself for tomorrow's war rather than a repeat of yesterday's war.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies presented a summary of analyses by Russian military experts, who concluded that the Azerbaijani victory was not just a result of drone warfare and Turkish assistance, but could actually be attributed to a number of other factors, such as a more professional army with recent battlefield experience, employment by Armenia of Soviet-era tactics against the modern warfare waged by Azerbaijan, a strong national will to fight on part of Azerbaijan compared to irresolute Armenian leadership, and the Armenians believing their own propaganda and underestimating the enemy.
In the opinion voiced by Russian military expert Vladimir Yevseev after the war, for unclear reasons Armenia appeared not to have executed the mobilisation it had announced and hardly any mobilised personnel were deployed to the conflict area.
Drone warfare
Azerbaijan made devastating use of drones and sensors, demonstrating what The Economist described as a "new, more affordable type of air power". Azerbaijani drones, notably the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2, carried out precise strikes as well as reconnaissance, relaying the coordinates of targets to Azerbaijani artillery. Commentators noted how drones enabled small countries to conduct effective air campaigns, potentially making low-level conflicts much more deadly. Close air support was provided by specialised suicide drones such as the Israeli-made IAI Harop loitering munition, rendering tanks vulnerable and suggesting the need for changes to armoured warfare doctrine. Another suicide drone, the Turkish-made STM Kargu, was also reportedly used by Azerbaijan.
Targeting of pipelines
Concerns were raised about the security of the petroleum industry in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia targeted, or tried to target, the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, which accounted for around 80% of country's oil exports, and the Baku–Novorossiysk pipeline. Armenia rejected the accusations.
Use of propaganda
See also: State-sponsored Internet propagandaBoth sides engaged in extensive propaganda campaigns through official mainstream and social media accounts magnified online, including in Russian media. Video from drones recording their kills was used in highly effective Azerbaijani propaganda. In Baku, digital billboards broadcast high-resolution footage of missiles striking Armenian soldiers, tanks, and materiel. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev told Turkish television that Azerbaijani-operated drones had reduced the number of Azerbaijan's casualties, stating, "These drones show Turkey's strength" and "empower" Azerbaijanis.
Cyberwarfare
Hackers from Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as their allied countries have waged cyberwarfare, with Azerbaijani hackers targeting Armenian websites and posting Aliyev's statements, and Greek hackers targeting Azerbaijani governmental websites. There have been coordinated messages posted from both sides. Misinformation and videos of older events and other conflicts have been shared as new. New social media accounts posting about Armenia and Azerbaijan have spiked, with many from authentic users, but many inauthentic also. According to the EU Parliament, Azerbaijani information operations also specifically aimed at harassing Armenia social media users.
Official statements
Armenia and Artsakh
On 27 September 2020, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, accused the Azerbaijani authorities of a large-scale provocation. The Prime Minister stated that the "recent aggressive statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, large-scale joint military exercises with Turkey, as well as the rejection of OSCE proposals for monitoring" indicated that the aggression was pre-planned and constituted a major violation of regional peace and security. The next day, Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a statement, noting that the "people of Artsakh were at war with the Turkish–Azerbaijani alliance".
The same day, the Armenian ambassador to Russia, Vardan Toganyan, did not rule out that Armenia may turn to Russia for fresh arms supplies. On 29 September 2020, Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that Azerbaijan, with military support from Turkey, was expanding the theatre into Armenian territory. On 30 September 2020, Pashinyan stated that Armenia was considering officially recognising the Republic of Artsakh as an independent territory. The same day, the Armenian MoFA stated that the Turkish Air Force had carried out provocative flights along the front between the forces of the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, including providing air support to the Azerbaijani army.
On 1 October 2020, the President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, stated that Armenians needed to prepare for a long-term war. Two days later, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Foreign Ministry called on the international community to recognise the independence of the Republic of Artsakh in order to restore regional peace and security.
On 6 October 2020, the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated that the Armenian side was prepared to make concessions, if Azerbaijan was ready to reciprocate.
On 9 October 2020, Armen Sarkissian demanded that international powers, particularly, the United States, Russia and NATO, do more to stop Turkey's involvement in the war and warned that Ankara is creating "another Syria in the Caucasus".
On 21 October 2020, Nikol Pashinyan stated that "it is impossible to talk about a diplomatic solution at this stage, at least at this stage", since the compromise option is not acceptable for Azerbaijan, while the Armenian side stated many times that it is ready to resolve the issue through compromises. Pashinyan said that "to fight for the rights of our people means, first of all, to take up arms and commit to the protection of the rights of the homeland".
On 12 November 2020, Pashinyan addressed his nation, saying that "Armenia and the Armenian people are living extremely difficult days. There is sorrow in the hearts of all of us, tears in the eyes of all of us, pain in the souls of all of us". The prime minister pointed out that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia reported that the war "must be stopped immediately". And the President of Artsakh warned that if the hostilities do not stop, Stepanakert could be lost in days. Pashinyan also stated that the Karabakh issue was not resolved and is not resolved and that the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic is becoming an absolute priority.
Azerbaijan
According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence, the Armenian military violated the ceasefire 48 times along the line of contact on 26 September 2020, the day before the conflict. Azerbaijan stated that the Armenian side attacked first, prompting an Azerbaijani counter-offensive.
On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan accused Armenian forces of a "willful and deliberate" attack on the front line and of targeting civilian areas, alleging a "gross violation of international humanitarian law". On 28 September 2020, it stated that Armenia's actions had destroyed the peace negotiations through an act of aggression, alleged that a war had been launched against Azerbaijan, mobilised the people of Azerbaijan, and declared a Great Patriotic War. It then stated that the deployment of the Armenian military in Nagorno-Karabakh constituted a threat to regional peace and accused Armenia of propagandising, adding that the Azerbaijani military was operating according to international law. The Azerbaijani authorities issued a statement accusing the Armenian military of purposefully targeting civilians, including women and children. The Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) denied any reports of Turkish involvement, while admitting military-technical cooperation with Turkey and other countries.
On 29 September 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said that Armenian control of the area and aggression had led to the destruction of infrastructure and mosques, caused the Khojaly massacre and resulted in cultural genocide, and was tantamount to state-backed Islamophobia and anti-Azerbaijani sentiment. The Azerbaijani MoFA demanded that Armenia stop shelling civilians and called on international organisations to ensure Armenia followed international law. Azerbaijan denied reports of mercenaries brought in from Turkey by Azerbaijan, and the First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, stated that Azerbaijan had never laid claim to others' territory nor committed crimes against humanity.
On 3 October 2020, Aliyev stated that Armenia needed to leave Azerbaijan's territory (in Nagorno-Karabakh) for the war to stop. The next day, Aliyev issued an official statement that Azerbaijan was "writing a new history", describing Karabakh as an ancient Azerbaijani territory and longstanding home to Azerbaijanis, and claiming that Armenians had occupied Azerbaijan's territory, destroying its religious and cultural heritage, for three decades. He added that Azerbaijan would restore its cities and destroyed mosques and accused Armenia of distorting history.
Two days later, Aliyev's aide, Hikmat Hajiyev, said that Armenia had deployed cluster munitions against cities, however this had not been verified by other sources. On 7 October 2020, Azerbaijan officially notified members of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and similar organisations that it had launched the operation in line with international law to re-establish its internationally recognised territorial integrity and for the safety of its people. He also accused Armenia of ethnic discrimination on account of the historical expulsion or self-exile of ethnic minority communities, highlighting its mono-ethnic population.
On 10 October 2020, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stated that the truce signed on the same day was temporary. Despite this, Aliyev stated that both parties were now attempting to determine a political resolution to the conflict.
On 21 October 2020, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan did not rule out the introduction of international observers and peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, but will put forward some conditions when the time comes. He then added that Azerbaijan did not agree for a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, but didn't exclude the cultural autonomy of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and reaffirmed that the Azerbaijan considers Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh as their citizens, promising security and rights.
On 26 October 2020, Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani government will inspect and record the destruction by Armenian forces in Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Allegations of third-party involvement
Main article: Allegations of third-party involvement in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarBecause of the geography, history, and sensitivities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, accusations, allegations, and statements have been made of involvement by third-party and international actors.
International reactions
Main article: International reactions to the Second Nagorno-Karabakh WarSee also
- 2014 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes
- Actions in support of Azerbaijan in Iran (2020)
- 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
- Armenia–Azerbaijan border crisis
- List of territorial disputes
- Republic of Armenia v. Republic of Azerbaijan (ICJ case)
Notes
- Denied by Azerbaijan and Turkey.
- On 21 October 2021, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan published a list of dead servicemen. It said 2,908 people were killed during the war, although at least two of the soldiers named were killed after the conflict ended, leaving a total of 2,906 servicemen confirmed killed in the war.
- ^ By 27 September 2021, 84 civilians were confirmed killed in the conflict, 80 of which died in the Republic of Artsakh and 4 were killed in Armenia. Another 22 were still missing. Subsequently, the number of civilians missing was updated to 21 by 21 March 2022, bringing the total number of confirmed civilian fatalities to 85.
- Nagorno-Karabakh was an autonomous region of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era, and is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. At the end of the Soviet period, it was recorded as being populated by 76.9% Armenians, 21.5% Azerbaijanis, and 1.5% other groups, totalling 188,685 persons, in the 1989 census. The surrounding districts, occupied by the Republic of Artsakh since the 1994 ceasefire, were recorded in the 1979 census to have a population of 97.7% Azerbaijanis, 1.3% Kurds, 0.7% Russians, 0.1% Armenians, and 0.1% Lezgins, for a total of 186,874 persons. This does not include the populations of Fuzuli District and Agdam District, which were only partially under Armenian control before the 2020 war.
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There is not a single evidence of any foreign presence in Azerbaijan. We have capable army. We have enough people in our army, we have enough people in our reserves. I announced a partial mobilization, which will allow us to involve tens of thousands of reservists. If necessary, so we don't need it. Armenia needs it, because Armenian population is declining. And it is only two million people.
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- Geybullaeva, Arzu; Melikyan, Aren (3 October 2020). "President of Azerbaijan tells Armenia to 'leave our territory, and then, the war will stop'". CNN. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- "President Ilham Aliyev: Today we are writing a new history of our people and state, a glorious history". apa.az. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
As you know, Azerbaijan has been fighting to restore its territorial integrity for a week now. On the battlefield, our soldiers and officers show heroism, inflict crushing blows on the enemy, put the enemy in its place, drive the enemy out of our lands at the cost of their lives... We are restoring historical justice today because the land of Karabakh is our ancient historical land. The people of Azerbaijan have lived, created and built in these lands for centuries. But for many years, for almost 30 years, Armenian executioners have occupied our lands, destroyed all our historical, religious and cultural sites. We will restore all our cities. We will restore all our mosques destroyed by the Armenians. Life will return to these places. We have put an end to the attempts of Armenians to change our historical names and falsify history, to erase the historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people. The historical names of our settlements are being restored and they will be restored.
- "Ermenistan cepheden kaçıyor sivilleri vuruyor". Dünya Bülteni (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- Rehimov, Ruslan (7 October 2020). "Azerbaijan sends notice to world courts on military ops". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- "President Ilham Aliyev: "Armenia is a racist country, representatives of no other nationality can live there"". apa.az. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
There are representatives of many nationalities living in Azerbaijan. They live like one family. Azerbaijan is known as a multicultural country worldwide. This is acknowledged by the United Nations, as well as other international organizations operating in the humanitarian field. Azerbaijan is the land of tolerance, ethnic and religious tolerance. Thousands of Armenians live in our country today and they are our citizens. They also live normally, like all other nationalities. Of course, I am sure that after the end of this war and conflict, the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh today will live with us. Azerbaijan is a multinational country. This has been the case throughout history. I think this is our great advantage.
- Bagirova, Nailia; Tsvetkova, Maria (10 October 2020). Osborn, Andrew (ed.). "Azeri foreign minister says Nagorno-Karabakh truce is temporary". Reuters. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- Hovhannisyan, Nvard; Bagirova, Nailia (10 October 2020). "Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire". Reuters. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "Azeri president says Armenians can have "cultural autonomy"". Al Jazeera. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- "Алиев исключил возможность проведения референдума в Карабахе" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- "Права армян в Карабахе будут полностью соблюдены, заявил Алиев" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- "Алиев грозит Армении счетом за разоренные земли" (in Russian). BBC Russian Service. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
External links
- Interview with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia
- "The Second Nagorno Karabakh War" (PDF). Disinformation and Misinofrmation in Armenia Confronting the Power of False Narratives. Freedom House: 17–23. June 2021.
- Michael, A. Reynolds (January 2021). "Confidence and Catastrophe: Armenia and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War". Princeton University’s program in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies: War on the Rocks.
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Kingdom of Armenia (570 BC – 428 AD) |
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Marzpanate Armenia (428–646) |
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Principality of Armenia (645–884) |
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Kingdom of Armenia (885–1045) |
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Armenian Principality of Cilicia (1080–1198) |
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Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1198–1375) |
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First Republic of Armenia (1918–1920) |
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Soviet Social Republic of Armenia (1920–1991) |
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Republic of Armenia (1991–present) |
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Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920) |
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Related topics |
- Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
- 2020 in Armenia
- 2020 in Azerbaijan
- 2020 in international relations
- Armenia–Azerbaijan border
- Conflicts in 2020
- Drone warfare
- Ilham Aliyev
- Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Nikol Pashinyan
- October 2020 events in Asia
- September 2020 events in Asia
- November 2020 events in Asia
- October 2020 events in Europe
- September 2020 events in Europe
- November 2020 events in Europe