Russia calls for withdrawal of terrorists, fighters from Karabakh conflict zoneSeptember 30, 2020 - 22:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Foreign Ministry has called for the immediate withdrawal of foreign terrorists and mercenaries from the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The statement comes amid multiple media reports concerning the transfer of Syrian fighters to Azerbaijan. "According to information we receive, militants from illegal armed groups, in particular from Syria and Libya, are being transferred to the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in order to directly participate in hostilities," the statement reads. "The Russian Foreign Ministry is deeply concerned about these processes, which lead not only to an even bigger escalation of tension in the conflict zone, but also create long-term threats to the security of all countries in the region." The Ministry called for taking "effective measures to prevent the use of foreign terrorists and mercenaries in the conflict and to immediately withdraw them from the region." Azerbaijan unleashed a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |