Battle Continues in Nagorno-Karabakh

Fresh clashes were reported on Wednesday in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as the battle between Armenian forces and Azerbaijan continues. Thousands have been killed in the six weeks of fighting that started on September 27th.

The ethnic Armenian side said they halted an Azeri offensive on the town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh that is near the city of Stepanakert, the enclave’s capital. Shushi is said to be a strategic location, and Nagorno-Karabakh officials are fearful of losing it.

Azerbaijan reported fighting in several districts inside and outside of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azeris have been making gains in the battle, which could make a diplomatic solution more difficult, as Azerbaijan has called on Armenia to withdraw from all territory within its internationally recognized borders.

So far, three ceasefires have been attempted that all failed within a few hours. Last week, the two sides pledged not to target civilian areas intentionally, but both sides accused the other of targeting residential areas shortly after the agreement was made.

The failed truces were brokered under the framework of the Minsk Group, which is co-chaired by the US, Russia, and France. The ceasefires were meant to lead to more substantive talks moderated by the three countries. Other countries are seeking a more important role in the peace process, including Turkey and Iran.

On Tuesday, Russia said it is considering an Iranian proposal to work towards another ceasefire. Tehran has an interest in cooling the fighting since Iran borders Armenia and Azerbaijan and fears the conflict turning into a regional war.

Turkey has been vocal in its support for Azerbaijan throughout the conflict and has called for Armenia to end its “occupation” of Azerbaijan. Ankara has been accused of sending mercenaries from northern Syria to aid Baku in the fighting, although Turkey denies the charge. On Tuesday, Russia estimated that 2,000 militants have been sent from the Middle East to Nagorno-Karabakh.

As of Monday, Nagorno-Karabakh reported 1,177 of its soldiers killed so far in the fighting. Dozens of civilians have been killed on both sides, and Azerbaijan has yet to disclose its military casualties. Russia has estimated the total number killed in the fighting could be close to 5,000.