Yerevan (Armenia): The leader of Armenia on Saturday requested Russia to provide security assistance to end the ongoing battle over Nagorno-Karabakh. Tensions are running high in the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
After more than a month of fighting, Armenian Prime Minister Nicole Pashinyan has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss possible security assistance to his country. In this battle, Azerbaijani troops have infiltrated the separatist zone. However, Russia has not yet responded to the request of the Armenian Prime Minister.
Azerbaijani troops have infiltrated deep into Nagorno-Karabakh and both sides have accused each other of violating a mutually agreed resolution stating that residential areas will not be targeted. Russia has a military base in Armenia. It has signed a treaty, which gives it the responsibility to help its allies in the event of a foreign invasion. However, Russia has taken a balanced stance, trying to maintain good relations with Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh falls in Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian-backed ethnic Armenian forces since a war ended there in 1994. The current crisis began on September 27 and has killed hundreds of people so far.
The foreign ministers of the two countries met in Geneva on Friday, agreeing that the two sides would not deliberately target populated areas or non-military objects in compliance with international law.
Shortly after the announcement, however, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities accused Azerbaijani forces of firing rockets at a market in Stepanakart and at a residential building. He said that even in the residential area of Shushi city, Azerbaijanis have come under fire.
