The situation is critical in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, an Armenian-majority territory claimed by Azerbaijan. Baku launched a military offensive on Tuesday, three years after the previous war, demanding the surrender of its Armenian adversary. An operation denounced by the president of the French Republic.
“Strong condemnation of Azerbaijan’s use of force in Nagorno-Karabakh,” writes Emmanuel Macron on X, ex-Twitter.
“The offensive must stop immediately and discussions on the rights and security of residents must be resumed. I remain in close contact with Prime Minister Pashinian,” said the Elysée tenant this Tuesday afternoon.
During a call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Emmanuel Macron also urged “an immediate resumption of discussions to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, to achieve a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to ensure rights and security”. of the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh, in compliance with the commitments made and international law,” stated the French presidency.
A few hours earlier, in a statement, the Quai d’Orsay had “condemned with the utmost firmness the launch by Azerbaijan of a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh”, denouncing the use of heavy weapons, “there even against inhabited areas” .
At least 27 dead
“France calls on Azerbaijan to immediately cease its offensive and once again respect international law. It will hold Azerbaijan solely responsible for the fate of the civilian populations of Nagorno-Karabakh,” it read.
Faced with Paris’ condemnation of an “illegal, unjustifiable and unacceptable” operation, Baku denounced France’s “Islamophobic and anti-Azerbaijani policy.”
The fighting left at least 27 dead, including two civilians, and more than 200 injured in this region where some 7,000 inhabitants of 16 towns were evacuated, according to the separatists. For its part, Azerbaijan reported that two civilians had died in areas under its control.
Source: BFM TV
