Armenia and Azerbaijan declare ceasefire after sacrificing 22 soldiers

Yerevan: – 22 soldiers were killed in the conflict sparked due to the tensions reigning on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. After that, Russia promptly mediated a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This has postponed the conflict between these two central Asian neighbours. But the international analysts are warning that the possibility of a conflict sparking again over the border that has become extremely sensitive cannot be denied.

Militaries of both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of intrusion and attacks. Two days ago, the Armenian army accused that the Azerbaijan military intruded into its territory and abducting soldiers. At the same time, the Armenian army accused the Azerbaijan military of launching artillery attacks on the villages near the border. Armenia has expressed a concern that 15 soldiers have been killed in this conflict and the Azerbaijan military has abducted 13 Armenian soldiers. Also, 24 soldiers are unreachable. Thus, they are considered to be missing.

Azerbaijan claims that the Armenian army has launched rocket and artillery attacks on the Kelbazar-Gegharkunik and Lachin-Sunik areas. Azerbaijan claims that seven of its soldiers were killed and two were wounded. But according to some news agencies, at least 70 Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed or disappeared in the Armenian military operation.

Besides, neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan have confirmed these claims. But after the border conflict, Armenia appealed to Russia for mediation. Later, on Tuesday, both neighbours declared a ceasefire. The United States, the United Kingdom, Iran and the European Union have called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to adhere to the ceasefire. But this also brings back memories of the conflict that erupted a year ago between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Exactly a year ago, there was a 44-day conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is claimed that more than 6,500 were killed in the conflict over control of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan had emerged victorious in the conflict. Turkey and Pakistan were accused of aiding Azerbaijan in the conflict against Armenia. The conflict ended only after Russian mediation.

But the border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still simmering. Armenia has repeatedly accused the Azerbaijani army of infiltrating its borders. Like Armenia, Iran also has criticized the Azerbaijani military’s arrogance in the past. A few weeks ago, Iran accused the Azerbaijani army of blocking its commercial vehicles bound for Armenia. It also caused tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan.