https://arab.news/cufxz
- Concerns over imminent collapse of fragile Moscow-brokered cease-fire
- 鈥楬eavy fighting鈥� has led to the death of 105 service personnel and wounding of civilians
LONDON: The Collective Security Treaty Organization is set to send a mission to assess the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border amid UN concerns over the imminent collapse of a fragile cease-fire.
Fighting erupted in the early hours of Monday between Armenian and Azeri troops as long-running tensions between the neighboring states over the Nagorno-Karabakh region flared, with both sides blaming one another for breaching a Moscow-brokered 2020 peace deal.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said both sides reported 鈥渉eavy fighting on their international border.鈥�
He added: 鈥淎ccording to reports, heavy artillery, drones and large-caliber weapons were used. The exchange of fire reportedly continued through Sept. 13 and 14, while yesterday evening it was announced that a cease-fire had been agreed starting at 8 p.m. local time.鈥�
He said: 鈥淲e welcome this agreement and hope the cease-fire will hold, but remain deeply concerned over this dangerous escalation, including its possible impact on civilians.鈥�
Following the death of 105 service personnel and wounding of at least six civilians during the recent fighting, Armenia requested deployment of the Russian-led CSTO 鈥� the regional equivalent of NATO 鈥� to provide a full picture on the source of this latest violence.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan wrote to the UN secretary-general and Security Council alleging violations of the 2020 peace deal that ended a six-week war.
Addressing the UNSC, Mher Margaryan, Armenia鈥檚 permanent representative to the UN, said the past three nights had been a 鈥済rave time鈥� for the country after 鈥渙ur neighbor to the east instituted a major offensive.
鈥淥ver the past year, we have repeatedly brought to the council鈥檚 attention Azerbaijan鈥檚 breaches of international law.鈥�
He added: 鈥淚n the absence of proper accountability, we see the actions step up. Azerbaijan has occupied 10 sq. km of Armenia in the past two days, while Armenia engages in negotiations in good faith. This aggression of Azerbaijan is the answer to that.
鈥淎s we speak, Azerbaijan is reportedly planning to widen the scope of its predatory conduct, with the blame game and speculation its best friends.鈥�
Azerbaijan鈥檚 permanent representative to the UN, Yashar Teymur oglu Aliyev, said this 鈥渟erious escalation鈥� had been 鈥減rovoked by Armenia,鈥� adding that Margaryan鈥檚 statement demonstrated the country鈥檚 lack of good faith in finding a peaceful solution.
鈥淲e reject the claims made, the distortions and deceptions. (The fighting) is the consequence of Armenian aggression, which remains unaddressed,鈥� added Aliyev.
Jenca said he was unable to verify specifics of reports surrounding what was occurring on the ground, adding that he 鈥渇ully supported鈥� mediation efforts being undertaken by international organizations, the EU and Russia.
After an initial cease-fire brokered by Moscow on Tuesday failed to hold, China welcomed the latest cessation in hostilities, but added: 鈥淲e hope both sides stick to this.鈥�
Expressing 鈥渆xtreme concern鈥� over the resumption of hostilities, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia鈥檚 permanent representative to the UN, urged both sides to return to the trilateral deal reached with Moscow in 2020, describing it as the basis for the 鈥減ath to peace.鈥�
But, he said, 鈥渟ustainable results in bringing about peace require time and effort from both Baku and Yerevan.鈥�
He added: 鈥淪ubstantial efforts are being undertaken by Russia鈥檚 Ministry of Defense and our border forces, and we are also engaging both parties. But the main thing today is for both parties to stop armed clashes and implement cease-fires.鈥�
However, with fighting on the border at its worst since 2020, representatives expressed 鈥渄eep concern鈥� over the apparent targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
鈥淭he UAE expresses satisfaction at the cease-fire but remains deeply concerned over the ongoing violence, and wishes to see efforts convert to a lasting cease-fire and thereafter a lasting peace,鈥� said Ameira Obaid Mohamed Obaid Alhefeiti, Emirati deputy permanent representative.
鈥淩epeated crisis and humanitarian suffering will weaken the world order. We urge the parties to return to the negotiating table and seek a diplomatic solution quickly.鈥�