Azerbaijan declares state of war in some cities, regions

BAKU

Azerbaijan’s parliament on Sunday declared a state of war in some of its cities and regions following Armenia’s border violations and attacks in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In an extraordinary meeting, the National Assembly passed a measure partially and temporarily restricting the constitutional and property rights and freedoms of Azerbaijani citizens and foreigners in the country as long as the war situation continues.

Under the decision, a curfew may also be declared at certain times in some regions.

Border clashes broke out earlier Sunday after Armenian forces targeted Azerbaijani civilian settlements, and military positions. The number of casualties is not yet known.

Armenia has again proven that it is the biggest obstacle to peace and stability in the region, said Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry in an earlier statement, adding that Turkey will stand with Azerbaijan by all means.

Baku has the right of self-defense to protect its people and territory, it added.

Relations between the two former Soviet nations have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied the Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh region, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Four UN Security Council and two UN General Assembly resolutions as well as many international organizations demand the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

The OSCE Minsk Group – co-chaired by France, Russia, and the US – was formed in 1992 to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, but to no avail.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur