Armenia, Azerbaijan: Military operations reported in Armenian-Azerbaijani border zones, Sept. 19 /update 1

Event

Military operations have been reported in Armenian-Azerbaijani border zones, Sept. 19. As of early afternoon, Sept. 19, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced that it had started anti-terrorist operations in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (NK). Separate reports indicate that explosions have been heard in Stepanakert (Xankendi) and that Azerbaijan has closed its airspace to Armenian flights. Armed conflict and further escalation are possible in the coming hours and days.

Military operations and localized escalations in tension could occur without warning anywhere in the disputed border zones. Spontaneous or planned demonstrations in response to such incidents cannot be ruled out in major cities elsewhere in Armenia or Azerbaijan. Authorities will probably move quickly to disperse any such gatherings that may materialize.

Context

Earlier on Sept. 19, six Azerbaijani state workers were reported to have died in two separate incidents. Azerbaijani sources reported that two civilian employees of the state road agency died in a landmine blast near Taghavard, the early morning Sept. 19, in NK. Shortly afterward, local sources reported that four employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan died in a second roadside explosion, also near Tagaverd. These incidents took place despite positive diplomatic developments in recent days; on Sept. 18, a humanitarian convoy entered NK following negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Advice

Avoid nonessential travel to areas near the NK line of contact or close to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border until the situation stabilizes. If operating in these areas, exercise extreme caution; carry proper identification at all times, and heed the instructions of local security personnel. Consider alternate methods for routing shipments in the vicinity of the conflict zone. Avoid all protests. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.