Karabakh Armenians accept ceasefire proposal after Azerbaijan military operation

On Wednesday, 24 hours after Azerbaijan launched an offensive to seize control of the enclave that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and hundreds of injuries, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway area of Azerbaijan, accepted a Russian proposal for a truce.

In Karabakh, separatist Armenian troops claimed that Azerbaijan had crossed their defences and taken control of several heights and important intersections while the rest of the world did nothing.

As a result, the self-described “Republic of Artsakh” declared that hostilities must end as of Wednesday at 1 p.m. local time.

“The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire,” it said.

“With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023.”

A cease-fire deal was achieved, according to Azerbaijan. It claimed that Azerbaijan was informed about the Armenian request for a ceasefire in Karabakh by Russian forces. The terms were not immediately spelt out.

After three of its forces were killed in what Baku claimed were strikes from the mountainous territory that Azerbaijan had blockaded for nine months, the country launched its operation against Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday.

Before any discussions regarding the future of the area, which Azerbaijan wants to fully integrate, Baku had insisted that the separatist political authority in Karabakh, which is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan, likewise dissolve.

International recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s affiliation with Azerbaijan.

(Wit agency inputs)