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The collapse of two Russian-mediated trucees had failed to dispel hopes of ending fighting in Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh.
New fighting broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh, a day after talks in Washington to end the conflict.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) reports on fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, an area of Azerbaijan that is inhabited and controlled by ethnic Armenians.
Local officials accused Azerbaijani forces of attacking buildings in Stepanakert, the largest city in the region. The accusation was denied by Baku.
US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo met separately with Azerbaijani and Armenian ministers on Friday in a new effort to end almost a month of bloodshed. Russian President Vladimir Putin estimates the conflict has killed 5,000 people. (Also Read: New Battles Break Out in Nagorno-Karabakh After Negotiations)
The collapse of two Russian-brokered ceasefires has dimmed prospects for an end to fighting since September 27 in Nagorno-Karabakh. (See Infographic: Saudi Crown Prince Will Be Killed If Normalized With Israel)
Azerbaijan forces say they have increased territorial control, including controlling the border with Iran. This claim is refuted by Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian government says its forces have repelled an Azerbaijan attack. (See Video: Prabowo: Less Land, Do People Want to Be Feeding Concrete?)
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told French newspaper Le Figaro that Azerbaijan was ready to sit down for negotiations, but blamed Armenia’s actions for continuing hostilities.
“We are ready to quit even today,” Aliyev was quoted as saying Reuters. “But, unfortunately, Armenia violently violated the ceasefire. If they don’t stop, we will do the latter with the aim of liberating all occupied territories.”
US President Donald Trump said “good progress” was being made on the issue but he did not elaborate. He declined to say whether he had spoken with leaders from the two countries.
Asked how he spoke, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters it was “very good” when he left the US State Department. He added that efforts for a ceasefire would continue.
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