Clashes Continue on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Border

A territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan re-erupted with the heaviest clashes in years yesterday.

"At least 23 people were reported to have been killed on Sunday as the two ex-Soviet republics battled over the Nagorno-Karabakh region," the BBC reports. 

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday he was confident of regaining control over the region.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged support for Azerbaijan, urging the world to stand with the country in its "battle against invasion and cruelty.”

“Azerbaijanis are a predominantly Turkic people with whom Turkey has close ties. Russia, traditionally seen as an ally of Armenia, called for an immediate ceasefire and talks to stabilize the situation,” reads the article.

Martial law has been declared in some parts of Azerbaijan, in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts are de facto controlled by the self-declared Republic of Artsakh, but are internationally recognized as de jure part of Azerbaijan.

The conflict has its origins in the early 20th century. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

Source: BBC

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