Death toll in Azerbaijan-Armenia clashes hits 100

30 September

The death toll from three days of heavy fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over a disputed territory has reached 100, including 16 civilians. Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged a ceasefire.

The fighting between the two former Soviet republics over the Nagorno-Karabakh region erupted on Sunday. The area lies in western Azerbaijan, but is mainly populated by ethnic Armenians.

Putin spoke to Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan by telephone on Tuesday, their second such talks since the crisis unfolded. Russia holds a strong influence in the region.

Putin expressed serious concerns over the situation and called for an immediate halt to the hostilities.

Pashinyan said on Tuesday that Turkish troops in Azerbaijan have been leading military operations. Turkey, another regional power, expressed its willingness to offer full support to Azerbaijan.

But Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev countered that Turkey is not a party to the conflict in any form and there is no need for its involvement.

NHK