Macron "Syrian Jihadists Enter Nagorno-Karabakh via Turkey"
Turkey Opposes US, Russia, France Ceasefire Recommendation
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues into its fifth day, the situation has become serious, prompting intervention from the international community including the United States, Russia, and France. The three countries have taken on the role of mediators and urged a ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
On the 1st (local time), the leaders of the United States, Russia, and France issued a joint statement calling for "an immediate cessation of hostilities by both sides" and recommending "the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, under the sponsorship of the Minsk Group co-chair countries, to resume sincere and substantive negotiations without preconditions."
The United States, Russia, and France serve as the co-chair countries of the Minsk Group, which aims to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, a disputed region between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have clashed in the Nagorno-Karabakh area since the 27th of last month, resulting in thousands of casualties.
This region was Azerbaijani territory when it gained independence from the former Soviet Union. However, the actual residents of the area were Armenians. Moreover, Azerbaijan is predominantly Muslim, while Armenia is Christian, leading the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh to demand independence. After declaring independence, Nagorno-Karabakh expressed intentions to unify with Armenia, but Azerbaijan opposed this, leading to a war that lasted three years starting in 1992.
Currently, the Nagorno-Karabakh area is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but in practice, it is controlled by Armenia.
Notably, the recent armed conflict involves not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also Turkey. Turkey, a fellow Turkic nation, has provided military and economic support to Azerbaijan, and there are even allegations of troop deployment this time.
Turkey has opposed the ceasefire recommendation made by the United States, Russia, and France. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an stated, "The United States, Russia, and France have ignored this issue for nearly 30 years," adding, "We cannot accept their intervention."
On the other hand, the international community has raised suspicions that Turkey is utilizing Syrian mercenaries. French President Emmanuel Macron said in Brussels that there is information indicating that jihadists from Syria have passed through Turkey and arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Previously, Armenia also alleged that Turkey dispatched Syrian mercenaries to assist Azerbaijan.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
