More than 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh arrived in Armenia on Saturday (Sep 30) as nearly the entire population of the breakaway territory has&nbsp;already fled since Azerbaijan seized back control over the region. Meanwhile, the death toll from an explosion and fire at a fuel depot in now Azerbaijani territory on Monday (Sep 25) rose to 170, said the separatist government.&nbsp;

<h2>Over 100,000&nbsp;refugees arrive in Armenia</h2>

Azerbaijan launched a so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijani-forces-strike-armenian-controlled-karabakh-risking-a-fresh-war-in-caucasus-region-637698">military operation</a>, on September 19 against the separatist Armenians, who have claimed part of Karabakh – internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory – as their ancestral homeland.&nbsp;

This has prompted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-locals-leave-for-armenia-en-masse-after-azeri-victory-claim-639994">ethnic Armenians</a> in the region to flee amid fears of repression and “ethnic cleansing”. Yerevan, on Saturday, said that over 100,000 people from an estimated population of 120,000 had fled since the breakaway region saw its decades-long fight against Baku end in sudden defeat.

Artak Beglaryan, a former separatist official, according to unofficial information on his social media said “the last groups” of Nagorno-Karabakh residents were on their way to Armenia on Saturday. He added, “At most a few hundred persons remain, most of whom are officials, emergency services employees, volunteers, some persons with special needs.”&nbsp;

<h2>Death toll after fuel depot blast rises to 170</h2>

The death toll after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-from-fuel-depot-fire-in-karabakh-rises-to-125-over-28000-refugees-arrive-in-armenia-639949">fuel depot blast </a>on the outskirts of rebel stronghold Stepanakert last week rose to 170 on Friday (Sep 29) as ethnic Armenians were in the midst of leaving the breakaway region, said a report by AFP citing a separatist government.&nbsp;

Forensic experts had been able to piece together “170 remains” of bodies that will be brought to Armenia for identification, said the official. Nearly 349 people – most of them suffering severe and critical burns – were being treated in hospitals across the region, said the media report.&nbsp;

The updated toll means that nearly 600 people have lost their lives since Baku launched its military operation in the region.&nbsp;

<h2>Armenia’s accusations against Azerbaijan</h2>

Yerevan has accused Azerbaijan of conducting a campaign of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-mass-exodus-underway-karabakhs-120000-armenians-to-leave-amid-fears-of-ethnic-cleansing-639178">“ethnic cleansing” </a>to clear the disputed region of its Armenian population, a claim that Baku has denied.&nbsp;

Armenia has also asked the World Court to order Azerbaijan to withdraw all its troops from civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh and provide the United Nations access, said the court on Friday (Sep 29).&nbsp;

Armenia has also asked the court to reaffirm the orders it gave Azerbaijan in February and to order it to refrain from all actions directly or indirectly aimed at displacing the remaining ethnic Armenians from the region.

International experts also noted that the exodus of ethnic Armenians from the region meets the conditions for the war crime of “deportation or forcible transfer,” or even a crime against humanity.

<h2>UN visit to Karabakh</h2>

Azerbaijan on Friday (Sept 29) agreed to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijan-forces-detain-top-karabakh-commander-641020">UN&nbsp;mission’s visit </a>to Nagorno-Karabakh “in the coming days”.&nbsp;

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the UN will send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh this weekend, mainly to assess humanitarian needs, adding that they have not had access to the region “in about 30 years.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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More than 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh arrived in Armenia on Saturday (Sep 30) as nearly the entire population of the breakaway territory has already fled since Azerbaijan seized back control over the region.

More than 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh arrived in Armenia on Saturday (Sep 30) as nearly the entire population of the breakaway territory has already fled since Azerbaijan seized back control over the region. Meanwhile, the death toll from an explosion and fire at a fuel depot in now Azerbaijani territory on Monday (Sep 25) rose to 170, said the separatist government. Over 100,000 refugees arrive in Armenia Azerbaijan launched a so-called military operation, on September 19 against the separatist Armenians, who have claimed part of Karabakh – internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory – as their ancestral homeland. This has prompted ethnic Armenians in the region to flee amid fears of repression and “ethnic cleansing”. Yerevan, on Saturday, said that over 100,000 people from an estimated population of 120,000 had fled since the breakaway region saw its decades-long fight against Baku end in sudden defeat. Artak Beglaryan, a former separatist official, according to unofficial information on his social media said “the last groups” of Nagorno-Karabakh residents were on their way to Armenia on Saturday. He added, “At most a few hundred persons remain, most of whom are officials, emergency services employees, volunteers, some persons with special needs.” Death toll after fuel depot blast rises to 170 The death toll after the fuel depot blast on the outskirts of rebel stronghold Stepanakert last week rose to 170 on Friday (Sep 29) as ethnic Armenians were in the midst of leaving the breakaway region, said a report by AFP citing a separatist government. Forensic experts had been able to piece together “170 remains” of bodies that will be brought to Armenia for identification, said the official. Nearly 349 people – most of them suffering severe and critical burns – were being treated in hospitals across the region, said the media report. The updated toll means that nearly 600 people have lost their lives since Baku launched its military operation in the region. Armenia’s accusations against Azerbaijan Yerevan has accused Azerbaijan of conducting a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” to clear the disputed region of its Armenian population, a claim that Baku has denied. Armenia has also asked the World Court to order Azerbaijan to withdraw all its troops from civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh and provide the United Nations access, said the court on Friday (Sep 29). Armenia has also asked the court to reaffirm the orders it gave Azerbaijan in February and to order it to refrain from all actions directly or indirectly aimed at displacing the remaining ethnic Armenians from the region. International experts also noted that the exodus of ethnic Armenians from the region meets the conditions for the war crime of “deportation or forcible transfer,” or even a crime against humanity. UN visit to Karabakh Azerbaijan on Friday (Sept 29) agreed to a UN mission’s visit to Nagorno-Karabakh “in the coming days”. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the UN will send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh this weekend, mainly to assess humanitarian needs, adding that they have not had access to the region “in about 30 years.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Armenia says over 100,000 have fled Nagorno-Karabakh; fuel depot blast death toll rises to 170

After a flare-up in violence between the neighbours in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that killed three soldiers, Armenia called on the international community Wednesday to help stop Azerbaijan's "aggressive actions".

The Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement "Yerevan calls on the international community to take measures to stop the aggressive actions and attitude of Azerbaijan and to activate the necessary mechanisms to do so."

Accusing&nbsp;Azerbaijan of breaking the Karabakh ceasefire, Russia said&nbsp;it was "taking measures to stabilise the situation" with Armenian and Azerbaijani representatives.

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According to the Azeri defence ministry, Armenia used artillery to attack troops in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions to the west of the enclave.

Calling for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's spokesman said in a statement "It is essential to de-escalate, fully respect the ceasefire and return to the negotiating table to seek negotiated solutions."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/armenia-and-azerbaijan-a-decades-long-bloody-rivalry-330840">Also see |&nbsp;Armenia and Azerbaijan: A decades-long bloody rivalry</a>

Azeri troops regained swathes of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 which has been controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians even though the mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan.

Russia brokered a ceasefire between the two countries following which they agreed to work on a peace plan but periodically accuse each other of firing shells across the border.

In order to try to nudge the former Soviet republics toward peace, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke separately with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After a flare-up in violence between the neighbours in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that killed three soldiers, Armenia called on the international community Wednesday to help stop Azerbaijan's "aggressive actions".

After a flare-up in violence between the neighbours in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region that killed three soldiers, Armenia called on the international community Wednesday to help stop Azerbaijan's "aggressive actions". The Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement "Yerevan calls on the international community to take measures to stop the aggressive actions and attitude of Azerbaijan and to activate the necessary mechanisms to do so." Accusing Azerbaijan of breaking the Karabakh ceasefire, Russia said it was "taking measures to stabilise the situation" with Armenian and Azerbaijani representatives. × According to the Azeri defence ministry, Armenia used artillery to attack troops in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions to the west of the enclave. Calling for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's spokesman said in a statement "It is essential to de-escalate, fully respect the ceasefire and return to the negotiating table to seek negotiated solutions." Also see | Armenia and Azerbaijan: A decades-long bloody rivalry Azeri troops regained swathes of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 which has been controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians even though the mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan. Russia brokered a ceasefire between the two countries following which they agreed to work on a peace plan but periodically accuse each other of firing shells across the border. In order to try to nudge the former Soviet republics toward peace, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke separately with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Russia accuses Azerbaijan of breaking ceasefire

Armenia&nbsp;on Tuesday reported deaths and the loss of military positions in border clashes with Azerbaijani troops, a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.&nbsp;

The six-week conflict, which left more than 6,500 dead, ended last November in a Russian-brokered deal that saw&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;cede swathes of territory it had controlled for decades.

"There are fatalities and wounded among Armenian troops as a result of fighting that erupted following an attack by Azerbaijani forces,"&nbsp;Armenia's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/armenia-and-azerbaijan-a-decades-long-bloody-rivalry-330840">Also see |&nbsp;Armenia and Azerbaijan: A decades-long bloody rivalry</a>

It said the number of casualties was being verified and that Yerevan had "lost control of two military positions."

Earlier on Tuesday, the two sides accused each other of initiating fighting along their shared border.

"Armenian troops attacked Azerbaijani positions in the districts of Kelbajar and Lachin," Azerbaijan's defence ministry said in a statement, adding that two Azerbaijani troops were wounded.

The ministry said Azerbaijani troops "stopped the enemy's advance, surrounded and detained Armenian servicemen".

Armenia's defence ministry said Azerbaijani forces tried to "break through" the border before being repelled.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-trade-accusations-of-firing-at-the-border-429342">Also read |&nbsp;Armenia, Azerbaijan trade accusations of firing at the border</a>

Appeals to Moscow&nbsp;

Yerevan appealed to ally Russia for military support under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation pact, which obliges Moscow to protect it in the event of a foreign invasion.

"Given that there was an attack on&nbsp;Armenia's sovereign territory, we appeal to the Russian Federation to protect&nbsp;Armenia's territorial integrity," said Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan.

Since last year's war, both&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and Azerbaijan have reported occasional exchanges of fire, sparking fears of another flare-up in their territorial dispute.

Both&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and Azerbaijan said the situation along their border remained tense with clashes ongoing on Tuesday evening.

On Sunday, they traded accusations of opening fire at their border near Karabakh.

On Saturday, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said the only road connecting&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;to the separatist territory,&nbsp;the Lachin Corridor,&nbsp;was briefly closed due to an incident between the two sides.&nbsp;

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the ensuing conflict claimed around 30,000 lives.

Armenia on Tuesday reported deaths and the loss of military positions in border clashes with Azerbaijani troops, a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia on Tuesday reported deaths and the loss of military positions in border clashes with Azerbaijani troops, a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The six-week conflict, which left more than 6,500 dead, ended last November in a Russian-brokered deal that saw Armenia cede swathes of territory it had controlled for decades. "There are fatalities and wounded among Armenian troops as a result of fighting that erupted following an attack by Azerbaijani forces," Armenia's defence ministry said on Tuesday. Also see | Armenia and Azerbaijan: A decades-long bloody rivalry It said the number of casualties was being verified and that Yerevan had "lost control of two military positions." Earlier on Tuesday, the two sides accused each other of initiating fighting along their shared border. "Armenian troops attacked Azerbaijani positions in the districts of Kelbajar and Lachin," Azerbaijan's defence ministry said in a statement, adding that two Azerbaijani troops were wounded. The ministry said Azerbaijani troops "stopped the enemy's advance, surrounded and detained Armenian servicemen". Armenia's defence ministry said Azerbaijani forces tried to "break through" the border before being repelled. Also read | Armenia, Azerbaijan trade accusations of firing at the border Appeals to Moscow Yerevan appealed to ally Russia for military support under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation pact, which obliges Moscow to protect it in the event of a foreign invasion. "Given that there was an attack on Armenia's sovereign territory, we appeal to the Russian Federation to protect Armenia's territorial integrity," said Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. Since last year's war, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have reported occasional exchanges of fire, sparking fears of another flare-up in their territorial dispute. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan said the situation along their border remained tense with clashes ongoing on Tuesday evening. On Sunday, they traded accusations of opening fire at their border near Karabakh. On Saturday, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said the only road connecting Armenia to the separatist territory, the Lachin Corridor, was briefly closed due to an incident between the two sides. Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the ensuing conflict claimed around 30,000 lives.

Armenia reports deaths in Azerbaijan border clashes

An Armenian soldier was killed Tuesday in a border shootout with Azerbaijani forces,&nbsp;Armenia's defence ministry said, with tensions still high after last September's war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

It later said the situation was "calm" after a skirmish at the Verin Shorzha border point in&nbsp;Armenia's eastern Gegharkunik district.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/strategic-inferences-from-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-2020-post-ceasefire-347702">Strategic inferences from Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict 2020, post ceasefire</a>

The area borders&nbsp;the Kalbajar region that was retaken by Azerbaijan after the war last year.

"One serviceman has been killed as a result of a shootout that followed the opening of fire by Azerbaijani troops", the ministry said in a statement.

But the defence ministry in Baku denied its forces had opened fire.

"According to our information, the incident involving the death of an Armenian soldier was an accident and it has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani side," the ministry said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-rises-in-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-despite-calls-for-peace-331000">Death toll rises in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict despite calls for peace</a>

A long-simmering conflict over Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, erupted into a full-blown war in late September, with some 6,000 people killed in six weeks of fighting.

It ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire that saw&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;cede to Azerbaijan swathes of territory it had controlled for decades.

The ceasefire, monitored by some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers, has largely held but tensions have continued and there have been several border incidents.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenian-leader-accuses-azerbaijan-of-fresh-infiltration-385043">Armenian leader accuses Azerbaijan of fresh 'infiltration'</a>

Earlier this month&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;accused Azerbaijan's military of crossing the southern border in an "infiltration" to "lay siege" to a lake that is shared by the two countries.

'Diplomatic' border solution

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the time asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military support. Moscow said it would help with the delimitation of the two neighbours' borders.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-calls-putin-after-azerbaijan-infiltration-385095">Armenia calls Putin after Azerbaijan 'infiltration'</a>

Baku rejected claims it was occupying any Armenian territory, but Pashinyan said up to 600 Azerbaijani troops remained on Armenian territory.

The United States and France have called on Azerbaijan to pull back its forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-ceasefire-broken-again-hours-after-us-backed-truce-338053">Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire broken again hours after US-backed truce</a>

Pashinyan told a May 20 parliament session that Russia was helping&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and Azerbaijan hammer out an agreement to resolve any border incidents through "diplomatic means, not through the movement of troops".

Facing a snap parliamentary election next month, Pashinyan said the draft agreement was "100 percent in line with&nbsp;Armenia's interests".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-bidens-recognition-of-armenian-genocide-reflects-dispensability-of-turkey-382022">Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey</a>

He also said the two governments might discuss possible territorial swaps between the two countries.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the same day that the time had come for the two arch-enemies to start working on a peace agreement after decades of conflict.

&nbsp;

Ethnic Armenian separatists declared independence for Nagorno-Karabakh and seized control of the mountainous enclave and several surrounding regions in a war in the 1990s that left tens of thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Last year's ceasefire agreement saw&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;return the surrounding regions to Azerbaijan while separatist forces retained control of most of Karabakh itself.

An Armenian soldier was killed Tuesday in a border shootout with Azerbaijani forces, Armenia's defence ministry said, with tensions still high after last September's war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

An Armenian soldier was killed Tuesday in a border shootout with Azerbaijani forces, Armenia's defence ministry said, with tensions still high after last September's war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. It later said the situation was "calm" after a skirmish at the Verin Shorzha border point in Armenia's eastern Gegharkunik district. Also read | Strategic inferences from Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict 2020, post ceasefire The area borders the Kalbajar region that was retaken by Azerbaijan after the war last year. "One serviceman has been killed as a result of a shootout that followed the opening of fire by Azerbaijani troops", the ministry said in a statement. But the defence ministry in Baku denied its forces had opened fire. "According to our information, the incident involving the death of an Armenian soldier was an accident and it has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani side," the ministry said in a statement. Also read | Death toll rises in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict despite calls for peace A long-simmering conflict over Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, erupted into a full-blown war in late September, with some 6,000 people killed in six weeks of fighting. It ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire that saw Armenia cede to Azerbaijan swathes of territory it had controlled for decades. The ceasefire, monitored by some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers, has largely held but tensions have continued and there have been several border incidents. Also Read | Armenian leader accuses Azerbaijan of fresh 'infiltration' Earlier this month Armenia accused Azerbaijan's military of crossing the southern border in an "infiltration" to "lay siege" to a lake that is shared by the two countries. 'Diplomatic' border solution Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the time asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military support. Moscow said it would help with the delimitation of the two neighbours' borders. Also Read | Armenia calls Putin after Azerbaijan 'infiltration' Baku rejected claims it was occupying any Armenian territory, but Pashinyan said up to 600 Azerbaijani troops remained on Armenian territory. The United States and France have called on Azerbaijan to pull back its forces. Also read | Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire broken again hours after US-backed truce Pashinyan told a May 20 parliament session that Russia was helping Armenia and Azerbaijan hammer out an agreement to resolve any border incidents through "diplomatic means, not through the movement of troops". Facing a snap parliamentary election next month, Pashinyan said the draft agreement was "100 percent in line with Armenia's interests". Also read | Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey He also said the two governments might discuss possible territorial swaps between the two countries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the same day that the time had come for the two arch-enemies to start working on a peace agreement after decades of conflict. Ethnic Armenian separatists declared independence for Nagorno-Karabakh and seized control of the mountainous enclave and several surrounding regions in a war in the 1990s that left tens of thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Last year's ceasefire agreement saw Armenia return the surrounding regions to Azerbaijan while separatist forces retained control of most of Karabakh itself.

Armenia says soldier killed in shootout with Azerbaijani forces

Armenia's leader on Thursday accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory, in a new escalation of tensions between the arch-foes.

Last year&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Azerbaijan&nbsp;went to war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.&nbsp;The six-week&nbsp;conflict&nbsp;claimed some 6,000 lives and ended after&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-rises-in-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-despite-calls-for-peace-331000">Death toll rises in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict despite calls for peace</a>

In the early hours of Thursday,&nbsp;Armenia's acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan accused&nbsp;Azerbaijan&nbsp;of new transgressions as he&nbsp;convened an emergency meeting of his security council.

Pashinyan said&nbsp;Azerbaijan's troops had advanced more than three kilometres (two miles) into southern&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and were trying to "lay siege" to Lake Sev Lich that is shared by the two countries.&nbsp;

"It is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of&nbsp;Armenia," Pashinyan said. "This is an act of subversive infiltration."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-ceasefire-broken-again-hours-after-us-backed-truce-338053">Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire broken again hours after US-backed truce</a>

He said Armenian soldiers had responded with "appropriate tactical manoeuvres" but stressed that the latest tensions should be settled through negotiations.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry termed Pashinyan's claims provocative, saying the country's "border troops are taking positions that belong to&nbsp;Azerbaijan, in the Lachin and Kalbajar districts."

The reaction of&nbsp;Armenia, "which makes provocative statements, is astonishing," the ministry said in a late-night statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-bidens-recognition-of-armenian-genocide-reflects-dispensability-of-turkey-382022">Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey</a>

"Azerbaijan&nbsp;is committed to defusing the tensions in the region and urges to take steps in that direction."

Armenia, which had controlled Lachin and Kalbajar since the 1990s, handed the districts to Baku last year under the ceasefire agreement.

'Withdraw immediately'&nbsp;

The United States, one of the three nations in the so-called Minsk Group that leads diplomacy on Nagorno-Karabakh,&nbsp;said it was "closely following" the rising tensions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/strategic-inferences-from-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-2020-post-ceasefire-347702">Strategic inferences from Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict 2020, post ceasefire</a>

"We understand communication between the parties is ongoing and urge restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully," State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in an Armenian-language post on Facebook,&nbsp;expressed France's "solidarity" with&nbsp;Armenia, saying "Azerbaijani armed forces invaded Armenian territory."&nbsp;

"They must withdraw immediately," Macron said.

Pashinyan has been under huge pressure over his handling of the&nbsp;conflict. He resigned in April while staying on in a caretaker capacity, setting the stage for June 20 parliamentary elections aimed at defusing the political crisis at home.

Moscow brokered a peace deal between&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Azerbaijan&nbsp;but tensions persist.

Last month, Yerevan and Baku traded accusations of opening fire in Karabakh and along their shared border.

Ethnic Armenian separatists declared independence for&nbsp;Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region and seized control of the mountainous enclave in a brutal war in the 1990s that left tens of thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Armenia's leader on Thursday accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory, in a new escalation of tensions between the arch-foes.

Armenia's leader on Thursday accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and trying to stake claim to territory, in a new escalation of tensions between the arch-foes. Last year Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The six-week conflict claimed some 6,000 lives and ended after Armenia ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades. Also read | Death toll rises in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict despite calls for peace In the early hours of Thursday, Armenia's acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of new transgressions as he convened an emergency meeting of his security council. Pashinyan said Azerbaijan's troops had advanced more than three kilometres (two miles) into southern Armenia and were trying to "lay siege" to Lake Sev Lich that is shared by the two countries. "It is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia," Pashinyan said. "This is an act of subversive infiltration." Also read | Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire broken again hours after US-backed truce He said Armenian soldiers had responded with "appropriate tactical manoeuvres" but stressed that the latest tensions should be settled through negotiations. Azerbaijan's foreign ministry termed Pashinyan's claims provocative, saying the country's "border troops are taking positions that belong to Azerbaijan, in the Lachin and Kalbajar districts." The reaction of Armenia, "which makes provocative statements, is astonishing," the ministry said in a late-night statement. Also read | Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey "Azerbaijan is committed to defusing the tensions in the region and urges to take steps in that direction." Armenia, which had controlled Lachin and Kalbajar since the 1990s, handed the districts to Baku last year under the ceasefire agreement. 'Withdraw immediately' The United States, one of the three nations in the so-called Minsk Group that leads diplomacy on Nagorno-Karabakh, said it was "closely following" the rising tensions. Also read | Strategic inferences from Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict 2020, post ceasefire "We understand communication between the parties is ongoing and urge restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully," State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an Armenian-language post on Facebook, expressed France's "solidarity" with Armenia, saying "Azerbaijani armed forces invaded Armenian territory." "They must withdraw immediately," Macron said. Pashinyan has been under huge pressure over his handling of the conflict. He resigned in April while staying on in a caretaker capacity, setting the stage for June 20 parliamentary elections aimed at defusing the political crisis at home. Moscow brokered a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan but tensions persist. Last month, Yerevan and Baku traded accusations of opening fire in Karabakh and along their shared border. Ethnic Armenian separatists declared independence for Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region and seized control of the mountainous enclave in a brutal war in the 1990s that left tens of thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Armenian leader accuses Azerbaijan of fresh 'infiltration'

Speaking to an international news agency, Assad said Turkish President Recep Erdogan was the “main instigator” and “initiator” of the conflict.

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Bashar Al-Assad blames Turkey for crisis in the region

As heavy fighting continued in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, France accused the Turkish military of involvement in Karabakh.

Watch:

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French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian while speaking in Parliament said: "The new aspect is that there is military involvement by Turkey which risks fuelling the internationalisation of the conflict."

French President Macron had said earlier that Turkey had sent Syrian jihadists to fight in the conflict.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-nagorno-karabakh-risks-becoming-islamist-militant-stronghold-333038">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia warns Nagorno-Karabakh risks becoming Islamist militant stronghold</a>

Reports said Stepanakert was heavily bombarded even as both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of targeting civilian areas.

President Putin said that "people are dying, there are heavy losses" as reports said Stepanakert's 50,000 population has fled the city. Azerbaijan has accused Armenian forces of bombarding civilian targets in Ganja as well with the city experiencing shelling amid large scale destruction.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 1,200 fighters have been sent by Turkey even as the Turkey foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that world should back Azerbaijan as the "side of those who are right" while calling Armenia an "occupier".

As the conflict entered its tenth day on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called for fighting to stop even as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to Iran's foreign minister. Iran which shares it borders Azerbaijan and Armenia is worried over the escalation of conflict as &nbsp;Armenia said Azerbaijan had launched attacks with tanks and artillery on the southern part.

Amid the escalating conflict, authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said at least 244 personnel have been killed including 19 civilians.&nbsp;

As heavy fighting continued in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, France accused the Turkish military of involvement in Karabakh.

As heavy fighting continued in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, France accused the Turkish military of involvement in Karabakh. Watch: French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian while speaking in Parliament said: "The new aspect is that there is military involvement by Turkey which risks fuelling the internationalisation of the conflict." French President Macron had said earlier that Turkey had sent Syrian jihadists to fight in the conflict. Also Read: Russia warns Nagorno-Karabakh risks becoming Islamist militant stronghold Reports said Stepanakert was heavily bombarded even as both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of targeting civilian areas. President Putin said that "people are dying, there are heavy losses" as reports said Stepanakert's 50,000 population has fled the city. Azerbaijan has accused Armenian forces of bombarding civilian targets in Ganja as well with the city experiencing shelling amid large scale destruction. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 1,200 fighters have been sent by Turkey even as the Turkey foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that world should back Azerbaijan as the "side of those who are right" while calling Armenia an "occupier". As the conflict entered its tenth day on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called for fighting to stop even as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to Iran's foreign minister. Iran which shares it borders Azerbaijan and Armenia is worried over the escalation of conflict as Armenia said Azerbaijan had launched attacks with tanks and artillery on the southern part. Amid the escalating conflict, authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said at least 244 personnel have been killed including 19 civilians.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: France accuses Turkey of 'military involvement'

The conflict between Armenia & Azerbaijan continues for the 7th consecutive day. The clashes between the two countries for the disputed region of Karabakh has killed around 230 people.

Armenia- Azerbaijan Conflict: Armenia attacks Azerbaijan's Ganja city

Armenia- Azerbaijan Conflict: Nearly 230 people dead in clashes

Conflict between Armenia & Azerbaijan continues for the 7th consecutive day. Azerbaijan have claimed over the gains over village of Madagiz in the disputed region of Karabakh. Baku's residents celebrated the army's gain.

Baku residents celebrate army's gain over Madagiz; Armenia- Azerbaijan Conflict