Renewed hostilities in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region between Azerbaijan and Armenia are believed to be a threat to regional stability and security. Global powers France, Russia and Iran are urging for ceasefire negotiations.
According to an article published in The EurAsian Times, prolonging conflict in the region may lead to “dooms day” which may completely overturn the existing power play. The article discussed that although Iran has been neutral so far, it is at a crucial point in the situation and needs to focus on curbing the conflict before it further escalates.
Ceasefire efforts fail between Armenia and Azerbaijan
According to The EurAsian Times, the international powers are connected in the playground of politics and bilateral relations, with Russia being the big kid providing weapons to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as to Iran and Turkey. It is to be noted that Russia and Iran are aiming for a complete halt of the fighting while Turkey has offered its unconditional support to Azerbaijan. In fact, Turkey’s involvement and support to Azerbaijan is a key figure in the territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Chavushoglu said, “It is our duty to convey Azerbaijan’s just struggle to the world” as Turkey continues to extend support to Azerbaijan and urges the global community to stand with the truth. Experts believe that Turkey is proving useful by deploying its pro-Ankara Syrian forces.
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However, Iran is facing an internal-conflict with its Turkish Azerbaijani population demanding Iran’s support for Azerbaijan. According to reports, more than 100 people have been killed since the recent escalations started on the 27th of September, 2020.
In a statement issued by the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s representatives, Iran’s stance has been highlighted, “‘there is no doubt’ that the breakaway region belongs to Azerbaijan”. In addition to this, Iran has asked for an immediate stop to the ongoing hostilities. According to reports of Baaghi TV, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javed Zarif, has reportedly expressed that “our region needs peace now”.
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However, Iran has more to lose than meets the eye as it is currently swaying between consideration of future bilateral relations with Turkey and Armenia. According to The EurAsian Times, if Iran fails to ensure support to Azerbaijan, external forces may “engineer” a revolt of the Turkish Azerbaijani citizens to seek “a separate land within Iran”. Moreover, the article discusses that is Iran is involved it would attract the attention of both China and Pakistan, as they are engaging by means of the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor).
Armenia ready for ‘mutual concessions’ with Azerbaijan on Karabakh: PM
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has already announced its support for Azerbaijan as reported earlier by Baaghi TV. Pakistan’s Foreign Office released a statement that Pakistan is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and that the Armenian army’s shelling of Azerbaijan’s civilian population is reprehensible and regrettable. The Foreign Office Spokesman, Zahid Hafeez said that, Pakistan supports Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh, which is in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions thereby, Armenia must suspend operations to avoid threats.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict threat to regional stability?
According to reports of Al Jazeera, the speeches made by Azerbaijan and Armenia’s leaders, at the 75th United Nations General Assembly, foreshadowed the rising escalations in the region. According to Al Jazeera, the use of language by the Azerbaijani President and Armenian PM was “cautioning”.
Moreover, it is to be noted that the Minsk Group working under the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), has failed to achieve tangible results with regards to negotiations between the former Soviet Union states, who have been engaged in conflict since the early 1990s when the disputed territory declared independence from Azerbaijan. At the time, almost 30,000 people had been confirmed dead by the authorities. In addition to this, post-war statistics show that the region is mostly populated by Armenian nationalists rather than Azerbaijanis who reportedly left following the war in the 1990s.
Why Nagorno-Karabakh clash could lead to global conflict?
It is pertinent to note that the renewed hostilities come at a period of international distraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming US elections which may divert attention from the cause of Azerbaijan, if future ceasefire negotiations are agreed upon.
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