Armenia: Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh enters seventh day October 3 /update 7

Event

Fighting between Armenian-backed separatists loyal to the self-proclaimed Artsakh Republic and Azeri forces in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region in western Azerbaijan entered its seventh day on Saturday, October 3. Both sides have announced that fighting has occurred along the Line of Contact. Azerbaijan's defense ministry stated that the Azeri army had made advances and had captured some Armenian fortifications; however, Armenian authorities claimed that a large-scale Azeri offensive across the front had been repelled and that a counter-attack had been launched. The region's major city, Stepanakert, was targeted by artillery and rocket fire overnight on Friday, October 2, causing structural damage to a number of buildings. Armenian authorities claimed that one person was killed and four others were wounded during the bombardment, but this has not been independently verified. On Saturday, Nagorno-Karabakh's defense ministry announced an additional 51 military casualties, adding to the 158 of its fighters that have been killed as of Friday. Azeri authorities have not commented on military casualties; however, they have stated that at least 20 civilians have been killed and 55 wounded in the fighting as of Friday.

Further clashes in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region are highly likely over the near term. Clashes along the length of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border outside the Nagorno-Karabakh region cannot be ruled out. A heightened security presence and disruptions to transportation are expected.

Context

The latest round of hostilities erupted on Sunday, September 27, when Azerbaijani forces reportedly carried out strikes on settlements in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the regional capital Stepanakert, causing at least two civilian fatalities. Residents of the area have been instructed to seek refuge in shelters. Following a retaliation by separatist forces, Azerbaijan launched what it claims to be a 'counter-offensive' in response. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have used heavy weaponry and reported casualties and material losses. Both sides have released footage claiming to show the destruction of enemy armored vehicles and installations. A state of war, martial law, and mobilization have been declared in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh.

Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan have a long-standing dispute over the possession of Nagorno-Karabakh, home to some 150,000 inhabitants (mostly ethnic Armenians) and located in the west of Azerbaijan. This issue has fueled tensions between the two countries since 1988; some 30,000 people were killed in fighting from 1990 to 1994. The two countries declared another ceasefire in April 2016 after the region experienced four days of violent clashes that left hundreds dead.

Tensions between the two countries remain high and each side frequently accuses the other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Advice

Western governments generally advise their citizens against all travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Those in Armenia are advised to monitor developments and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.