OSCE MG's U.S. co-chair concerned over escalation on Armenian-Azerbaijani frontline

/By AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

The recent escalation of tensions on the contact line of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops has caused concern for the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick.

The diplomat tweeted on September 6 that the hostilities were unacceptable.

"There are credible reports both sides have used mortars recently resulting in civilian casualties. Escalation is not the answer," the diplomat’s tweet read.

The Armenian armed forces have recently aggravated tensions on the frontline using the 60 mm and 82 mm caliber rocket-propelled grenades and large-caliber machine guns.

Earlier, Warlick stressed the need to continue to work on a peaceful settlement for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Warlick also condemned the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians in frontline regions, adding that the U.S. stands for a negotiated settlement.

In a recent attempt at aggression toward Azerbaijani civilians, the Armenian military fired at a wedding ceremony in a settlement near the frontline.

As a result of the shelling by the Armenian military, three people – two adults and a minor – were wounded. Mushkinaz Tanriverdieva (63 years) and Madina Ahmadova (67 years) were hospitalized and Zahra Alizade, who suffered minor injuries, is being treated at home.

The Armenian armed forces frequently wounds villagers in their homes or on their farms. Due to their frequent ceasefire violations, the residents of those Azerbaijani villages have gone through great difficulties, and the constant shelling of their homes has altered their daily lives.

Warlick earlier said the co-chairs continue to propose confidence-building measures for ensuring the ceasefire regime.

“For most of the year, the situation along the Line of Contact and Armenia-Azerbaijan border has been relatively stable. We have appealed to the sides to reduce tensions and strictly respect the ceasefire. We also continue to propose confidence-building measures that would reinforce the ceasefire, creating a more positive environment for negotiations that could lead to a settlement,” the diplomat told AzerNews.

Over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, has been occupied by the Armenian armed forces since a lengthy war between the two South Caucasus countries in the early 1990s. The UN Security Council passed four resolutions calling for an Armenian pullout, but they have not been enforced to date.

Peace talks over the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs dubbed the Madrid Principles. However, as Armenia continues to follow an unconstructive position, the negotiations have been largely fruitless so far despite the efforts of the co-chairs for over 20 years.