The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter together with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the intense upsurge in violence along the Line of Contact and along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the dramatic increase in tensions on the Karabakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact. The following statement was placed on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website:
“We are deeply concerned about the dramatic increase in tensions in the Karabakh conflict which has led to significant human casualties. We express our deep sympathy to the families of the deceased. We note that the events of recent days is a serious violation of the ceasefire agreements and to the announced intentions to achieve a political settlement to the conflict. We believe that any future escalation is unacceptable. We call on all sides to the conflict to demonstrate restraint, refrain from the use of force and put into place immediate measures to stabilize the situation.”
The US State Department has also voiced concern over the recent escalation of tensions. Spokesperson for the State Department Marie Harf said: “There can be no military solution to the conflict. Retaliation and further violence will only make it more difficult to bring about a peaceful settlement.The United States urges the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet at the earliest opportunity to resume dialogue on key issues. We also call on the parties to accept the proposal from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Chairman-in-Office to enter into negotiations which can lead to the conclusion of a peace agreement. We remain committed to participating in the Minsk Group process and stand ready to help efforts to bring about a lasting settlement.”
On August 2, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter together with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the intense upsurge in violence along the Line of Contact and along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, they expressed concern that “a clearly marked International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicle came under fire while assisting the local population on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on a humanitarian mission.” The OSCE also said that they strongly condemn the deliberate targeting of civilians and shooting at representatives of international organizations and reminded the parties of their obligations under Geneva Conventions. The Chairperson-in-Office and the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group also urged the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume negotiations as soon as possible on the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
According to the Karabakh Defense Ministry, on the evening of August 1 and the early morning hours of August 2, Armenian armed forces fought off a diversionary infiltration raid by Azerbaijani forces on the northeastern portion of the Karabakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact resulting in the death of five Azerbaijani soldiers. During the heated confrontation, Armenian soldier Zorik Gevorgyan (b. 1989) was killed. Over the last several weeks, tensions have been high along the entire length of the Line of Contact. On July 31, two Armenian soldiers were killed after an Azerbaijani raid on Armenian military posts while a total of 11 Azerbaijani soldiers were reportedly killed in that battle.
