Statement from the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh on Azerbaijan's Repeated Violation of Humanitarian Ceasefire

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh strongly condemns Azerbaijan's gross violation of the humanitarian ceasefire agreement that came into effect from midnight on October 18.

Ignoring the mediation efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Azerbaijani-Turkish forces violated the ceasefire agreements three times on the very first night of its implementation, resulting in casualties on both sides along various sections of the frontline.

From 00:04 to 02:45, in the northern direction, and from 02:20 to 02:45 in the southern direction, the Azerbaijani side subjected the positions of the Artsakh Defense Army to missile shelling.

At 07:20 in the morning, following the shelling, Azerbaijani-Turkish forces attempted an offensive in the southern part of the frontline toward the Khodafarin reservoir, along the border between the Republic of Artsakh and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The irresponsible and destructive actions of the Azerbaijani side demonstrate that Azerbaijan and Turkey are unwilling and unable to fulfill their obligations under international conventions, nor comply with the humanitarian ceasefire agreements reached through the mediation of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Yet again, Azerbaijan and Turkey have shown that they regard the agreements on humanitarian ceasefire and, in general, negotiations exclusively in the context of a military solution to the conflict.

Only the international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh can halt the Azerbaijani-Turkish destructive behavior that undermines the efforts and authority of international mediators. The recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh will put an end to attempts at a military solution to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and will provide the necessary impetus for the effective continuation of international mediation efforts within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the humanitarian ceasefire on a reciprocal basis, which will only become a reality if Azerbaijan is compelled to fulfill its obligations.