Azerbaijan Summed Up Results Of The First Day Of Its Anti-Terrorist Operation In Nagorno-Karabakh (Video, Map Update)

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• On September 19, seven Azerbaijani servicemen were killed by an alleged land mine explosion planted by the Artsakh Defense Forces;
• On September 19, civilians were killed by a mine explosion on the Ahmadbeyli — Fuzuli — Shusha highway;
• The Azerbaijani Armed Forces attacked Artsakh air defense systems in Stepanakert with Lora missiles;
• Azerbaijani forces reportedly broke through the line of contact in Karabakh in several areas;
• The Artsakh authorities called to immediately cease fire and launch negotiations. Baku also claimed its readiness to meet with representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh in Evlah;
• The Ministry of Health of Artsakh reported that 80 people were wounded, including 15 civilians. Artsakh Ombudsman reported 25 dead, including 2 civilians;
• Rioters who are calling on Yerevan to defend Artsakh are storming the government building in Yerevan;
• According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan, a civilian was killed in the city of Shusha by Armenian artillery shelling;
• The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the destruction of the Armenian P-18 radar station in Karabakh;
• The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry accused the Armenian military of shelling Azerbaijani positions in the Aghdam direction;
• The area of Askeran was shelled by Azerbaijani forces;
• Azerbaijani forces reportedly entered the Martakert district;
• The Azerbaijani Air Force struck targets near Martakert and villages of the Askeran district;
• The ammunition depot of the Armenian 5th Defense Brigade was destroyed in the Agderin area;
• Azerbaijani forces took control of more than 60 positions of the Armenian military. Up to 20 military vehicles, more than 40 artillery installations, more than 30 mortars, 2 anti-aircraft missile systems, more than 6 electronic warfare stations were destroyed, according to the Azerbaijani MoD

On the evening of September 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry claimed that its forces took control of 60 Armenian military positions in Karabakh. In addition, the head of the press service of the Ministry, reported on the destruction of more than 20 combat vehicles, more than 40 artillery installations, more than 30 mortars, 2 anti-aircraft missile systems of the enemy. LINK

Amid the UAV and missile strikes as well as artillery shelling, Azerbaijani forces broke through the contact line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh in several areas, Hikmet Hajiyev, adviser to the President of Azerbaijan on foreign policy reported.

The goal of the “anti-terrorist” operation is the intention to “close the chapter of hostility and confrontation.” “We can no longer tolerate the presence of any armed forces on our territory, as well as a structure that daily challenges the security and sovereignty of Azerbaijan,” Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan on Foreign Policy Hikmet Hajiyev said, expressing his opinion that Baku will achieve its goal.

The Azerbaijani military shared numerous videos of the strikes:

On the evening of September 19, the Ministry of Health of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) reported that five people were killed and 80 more were injured, including 15 civilians, after the start of the military operation. Later, the Ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, announced 25 deaths from Azerbaijani shelling. Two civilians were among the victims, he added. The number of victims is likely to grow.

The authorities of the unrecognized republic called on Baku to stop the fighting and launch negotiations. In response, Azerbaijan claimed that it is ready for negotiations only after the surrender of the Artsakh military and the dissolution of the “illegal regime” in Karabakh. At the same time, Azerbaijan has no military goals in relation to Armenia.

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, where the population mainly consists of Armenians, has been ongoing for more than 30 years. In Soviet times, it was part of the Azerbaijan SSR, but in the early 1990s the region declared independence and received support, but no legal recognition from Armenia. The Pashinyan’s regime, which is losing the second war in Karabakh over the past three years, is not going to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh so far.

In response to inaction of Yerevan, riots broke out in the Armenian capital. The protesters attempted to storm the government building in the city center. As a result of the clashes with the security forces, people were wounded. Protesters and police officers were hospitalized.

However, Pashinyan is not going to take all the blame on himself. During his years in power, he tried his best to destroy relations with Moscow. He has been pursuing an anti-Russian policy for many years. On the eve of the escalation, Pashinyan openly declared that Russia allegedly cannot ensure Armenia’s security due to military actions in Ukraine and Armenia turned towards the US.

Fulfilling the tasks of his Western patrons, he managed to convince the radical part of the population of Moscow’s fault for Armenia’s defeat. As a result, another rally broke out at the Russian embassy. While the opposition is trying to stage a coup at the government building in the city center, the radicals have blocked the Russian embassy building. Initially, the protesters came to ask Moscow for help, but in the end they blamed Russia, escalating the situation in the style of Maidan. They do not take into account that Russian peacekeepers continue to evacuate citizens from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• Azerbaijan Launched “Local Anti-Terrorist Operation” In Nagorno-Karabakh
• Armenian, Azerbaijani Border Guards Wounded In Exchange Of Fire At Karabakh Corridor (Video)
• Pashinyan Is Ready To Recognize Nagorno-Karabakh As Part Of Azerbaijan

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