The record of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is becoming clearer. Armenia reported on Saturday the death of more than 2,300 of its soldiers in the conflict over control of the enclave, which ended in a peace agreement enshrining a victory for Azerbaijani forces.
“At present, the bodies of 2,317 killed soldiers, including unidentified bodies, have been taken care of by the forensic examination service,” said spokeswoman for the Armenian Ministry of Health, Alina Nikoghosian. . According to her, the process of exchanging bodies with Azerbaijan has only just begun. “The belligerents do not have final figures for the moment,” she noted.
The Armenian authorities have so far reported 1,339 soldiers and 50 civilians killed in the hostilities that began in late September. Azerbaijan, for its part, did not disclose its military losses. He reported 93 civilians killed in his camp.
Important territorial gains for Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed earlier this week, under Russian sponsorship, a ceasefire agreement ending the conflict. This text enshrines the significant territory gains obtained by Azerbaijan, and provides for the return to Baku, the Azeri capital, of additional territories. Russian peacekeepers were deployed this week to the conflict zone.
The announcement of the deal was followed by angry protests in Armenia, where protesters briefly took over the seat of government and parliament. The opposition demands the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian. Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, said on Friday that the fighting has left more than 4,000 victims and 8,000 injured as well as tens of thousands of refugees.
Burn his own house rather than “leave it to the Turks”
The inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh forced to flee to Armenia before the cession of their territory to Azerbaijan have chosen to burn their houses. In Charektar, for example, a village marking the boundary with the neighboring district of Martakert, which must remain under Armenian control, at least six houses were burnt down.
“This is my house, I cannot leave it to the Turks”, as the Azerbaijanis are often called by the Armenians, explains, with closed face, the owner of one of these houses while throwing flaming wooden planks and embers soaked in gasoline. “Everyone is going to burn their house down today (…) We have been given until midnight to leave. We also moved the parents’ grave. The Azerbaijanis will take great pleasure in desecrating our graves, it is unbearable. ”
Original article by : www.leparisien.fr
