{"id":608,"date":"2020-10-30T02:45:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T02:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/?p=608"},"modified":"2021-01-17T22:57:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-17T22:57:10","slug":"as-tensions-escalate-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-azerbaijans-justifications-are-disingenuous-at-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/as-tensions-escalate-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-azerbaijans-justifications-are-disingenuous-at-best\/","title":{"rendered":"As Tensions Escalate Between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijan\u2019s Justifications Are Disingenuous at Best"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions Must be Asked of Azerbaijan\u2019s Intentions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions Must be Asked of Azerbaijan\u2019s Intentions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan yet again, tensions over the Nagorno-Karabakh region have been simmering for decades: a ceasefire was agreed upon in 1994 after a vicious war in the region during the late 1980s and through the 1990s, but a peace treaty was never agreed upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"639\" src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/themes\/veen\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-609\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region-768x491.jpg 768w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region-100x64.jpg 100w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Naorno-Karabagh-Artsakh-Region-700x447.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh on outline geographic map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The territory is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but is governed by ethnic Armenians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the worst escalation of hostilities since the 1990s \u2014 which includes a four day war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2016 \u2014 Azerbaijani and Armenian forces have been in direct conflict since September 27th, following Azerbaijani forces bombing civilian settlements based in Nagorno-Karabakh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As fighting continues to identify \u2014 with heavy artillery fire, civilian casualties, and no peace on the horizon \u2014 there are fears growing that an all out war that could occur mirror the Nagorno-Karabakh war of the 1990s. Iran\u2019s president, Hassan Rouhani, has warned that the ongoing conflict could indeed lead to a \u201cregional war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkey have, unquestionably, aggravated the situation. Political experts estimate that Turkey have supported Azerbaijan with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/oct\/02\/syrian-recruit-describes-role-of-foreign-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ov<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/oct\/02\/syrian-recruit-describes-role-of-foreign-fighters-in-nagorno-karabakh\" target=\"_blank\">er 1,000 Syrian fighters<\/a>, alongside weaponry and intensive training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Assad blames Turkey for Karabakh clashes\" width=\"668\" height=\"376\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HJTPGkMd2fE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Assad blames Turkey for Karabakh clashes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkey\u2019s role in the conflict has not gone unnoticed \u2014 Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is quoted on record as naming Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey\u2019s President, as being \u201cthe main instigator and the initiator of the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>World leaders have further condemned Turkey for their actions \u2014 French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Turkey to \u201cexplain\u201d their role in \u201cjihadist fighters\u201d arriving in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"b600\">Turkey\u2019s involvement could have further dire consequences beyond the scope of the Nagorno-Karabakh region \u2014 Russia may have to move away from their traditional involvement in the region as an arbiter of peace toward directly intervening, which could question the authority of a NATO ally. It is clear, therefore, that Turkey\u2019s reasoning for their involvement is in the public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"0711\">Moreover, Azerbaijan\u2019s and Turkey\u2019s provocation has clearly led to unnecessary regional damage, with the potential for far reaching damage. With martial law declared on both sides, hundreds injured, many servicemen on each side killed: how can Azerbaijan \u2014 and Turkey, who appear to be clear instigators of the conflict \u2014<strong>&nbsp;justify their actions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"3825\">zerbaijan claim, much to the bemusement of the international community, that an escalation in violence was simply inevitable. But it appears that Azerbaijan\u2019s stance \u2014 that violence is a necessary push back on Armenian diplomats who are refusing to engage in progressive negotiations on the region \u2014 is merely an excuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"ced6\">Senior officials in Turkey and Azerbaijan must be able to recognize that they are making unreasonable demands \u2014 expecting Armenia withdrawal is just unfeasible. As&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtontimes.com\/news\/2020\/oct\/8\/varuzhan-nersesyan-armenian-ambassador-pressure-tu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Varuzhan Nersesyan<\/a>, Armenian\u2019s Ambassador to Washington, says: \u201cthey are trying to put blame on Armenia and \u2018settle the score\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"7b04\">If, then, as Azerbaijan publicly claims \u2014 that violence is simply a byproduct because of Armenia\u2019s stubbornness and unwillingness to comprise \u2014 how can that be reconciled with both leaders\u2019 approach to the conflict?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"a049\">Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly stated that he was prepared for \u201cmutual concessions\u201d. In return, Azerbaijan\u2019s president, Ilham Aliyev, showed no remorse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cNagorno-Karabakh is our land. This is the end. We showed them who we are. We are chasing them like dogs.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"5843\">Azerbaijan making out that their escalation of violence is anything other than power driven land-grab is, to put it bluntly, an insult to everybody\u2019s intelligence. Azerbaijan are not interested in peace, or a mutually agreed compromise, until Armenia withdraws support for the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"c832\">A brutal war could be the result, with thousands dead and even more displaced refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/themes\/veen\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Child-Crying-in-Artsakh-after-shelling.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-613\" width=\"657\" height=\"438\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Child-Crying-in-Artsakh-after-shelling.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Child-Crying-in-Artsakh-after-shelling-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Child-Crying-in-Artsakh-after-shelling-100x67.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Child-Crying-in-Artsakh-after-shelling-675x450.jpeg 675w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"54ff\">How could it be, then, that Turkey \u2014 a member of NATO \u2014 are so willing to lend their unwavering support to Azerbaijan, both \u201con the battlefield and the negotiating table\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"37e7\">In many ways, their support does not come as a shock. Turkey and Azerbaijan share strong diplomatic ties, both ethnically and culturally, which has led to their relationship being described as \u201ctwo states, but one nation\u201d. Turkey and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"af1c\">Azerbaijan share further political and economic ties \u2014 Azerbaijan invests heavily into Turkey, and they are heavily bound together in the exporting of oil and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"2241\">Not only do the two countries share strong relations, but Turkey and Armenia actively have a tense relationship, which can be traced back to the killings of the Armenians by Ottoman Turks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"921c\">On the face of it, Turkey have publicly alluded to their rationale for their involvement: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has made it clear that they support Azerbaijan\u2019s demand for Armenia to withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh. But critics are quick to point out that Turkey\u2019s involvement is likely to be for far more sinister and selfish reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/turkey-territorial-disputes-azerbaijan-ankara-armenia-9a95d9690569623adedffe8c16f3588d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AP Explains: What lies behind Turkish support for Azerbaijan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"32c0\">Susan Fraser sees Turkey\u2019s \u201chardline rhetoric\u201d as part of their \u201caspirations for global and regional leadership and Ankara\u2019s increasing efforts to resolve disputes through \u201cgunboat diplomacy.\u201d It is clear that whenever Turkey see an opportunity they are not hesitant to use their military to intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"1747\">Nikol Pashinyan concurs: he says \u201c[the] Azeri-Turkish international terroristic attack [\u2026] is a policy of continuing the Armenian genocide and a policy of reinstating the Turkish empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"4f79\">Not only are both Azerbaijan and Turkey being irrational and disingenuous, it is clear that both countries might be in direct violation of international law. On 29 September 2020, the European Court of Human rights applied Rule 39 of the Rules of the Court in response to Armenia\u2019s request for interim measures against Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"93c2\">The decision is technically confidential \u2014 as are all interim measures \u2014 but the Court was of the opinion that \u201cthat the current situation gives rise to a risk of serious violations of the Convention, the European Court of Human Rights decided to apply&nbsp;<strong>Rule 39 of the Rules of Court.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"93c2\">[Armenia and Azerbaijan must] refrain from taking any measures, in particular military action, which might entail breaches of the Convention rights of the civilian population, including putting their life and health at risk, and to comply with their engagements under the Convention, notably in respect of Article 2 (right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment) of the Convention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"3057\">Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejcinovic-Buric, later made it clear that \u201call sides of the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and implement without delay the interim measures decided by the European Court of Human Rights. A peaceful solution must be found at the negotiating table to prevent a grave humanitarian crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"995c\">Azerbaijan\u2019s insistence that they will not put a stop to the violence until Armenia withdraws from the region appears to be in direct contradiction with this request from the Secretary General.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"e23c\">Furthermore, Article (2) of the Charter of the United Nations \u2014 which has been ratified by both Azerbaijan and Turkey \u2014 states: \u201c<strong>all Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force&nbsp;<\/strong>against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"e23c\">There are a number of examples that would deem Azerbaijan and Turkey to be in direct violation of the Charter of the United Nations, but the particularly vitriolic include: Azerbaijani forces attacking a civilian bus in Vardenis; an Armenian Su-25 being shot down by a Turkish F-16 in Armenian airspace; and the civilians killed as a direct consequence of Azerbaijan\u2019s shelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/themes\/veen\/assets\/images\/transparent.gif\" data-lazy=\"true\" data-src=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-614\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16.jpg 960w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16-100x63.jpg 100w, https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Turkish-F16-700x438.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption><br>Turkey Violates Greek Airspace 48 Times On Good Friday<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"cc98\"><strong>Azerbaijan rationale is dishones<\/strong>t and their intentions are a threat to peace across the region and beyond. It is time for the international community to intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Telling the truth the way it should be! Facts and nothing else!<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Questions Must be Asked of Azerbaijan\u2019s Intentions Questions Must be Asked of Azerbaijan\u2019s Intentions. As fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan yet again, tensions&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-regional"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=608"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/608\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":817,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/608\/revisions\/817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/armeniaglobe.com\/hy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}