Thanks. Rick Rozoff.
1) Turkey says ready to deploy troops against Nagorno-Karabakh
2) Azerbaijan, Turkey must notundermine efforts to establish verifiable ceasefire: Armenian Foreign Ministry
3) Analysts: Turkey plans to replicate Syrian model in Nagorno-Karabakh, drive Russia from South Caucasus
4) MP: Russia could land troops in Armenia
5) Possible to achieve ceasefire if NATO member Turkey stays out of conflict
6) Armenian president at NATO Headquarters: third party exacerbating war in Caucasus is a NATO member
7) Germany refuses Greek request to limit arms exports to NATO partner Turkey
8) Greece puts Navy on alert amid potential hostile action from Turkey
9) Hostilities rage along all parts of Karabakh frontline: Armenian Defense Ministry
10) Karabakh army thwarts, stops attacks in all sectors of the front
1)
> https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032355.html
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> Armenpress
> October 22, 2020
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> By promising to send its army, Turkey trying to encourage Azerbaijan to continue fighting – expert
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> YEREVAN – Commenting on the announcement of the vice president of Turkey Fuat Oktay, saying that they are ready to send their troops to Azerbaijan if Baku applies, Director of Institute of Oriental Studies of Armenian National Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan says it’s a method of encouraging Azerbaijan to continue fighting, Safrastyan told ARMENPRESS.
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> ‘’In fact, Azerbaijan is using its last reserves, the army of which is receiving serious blows, particularly during the last days. Virtually, by that Turkey tries to encourage Azerbaijan to continue fighting. I am confident that if there was not the Turkish factor, Azerbaijan would embrace ceasefire long ago and would start negotiations. I had predicted long ago that Turkey is ready to send troops to Azerbaijan, because if Turkey does not want to see Azerbaijan totally crushed, it has to send its troops. Turkey has involvement right now, but sending troops is the last thing Turkey can do to be involved in the war’’, Safrastyan said.
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> According to him, one can ask what will be the reaction of Russia and Turkey’s NATO allies to such a development.
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> ‘’Russia can take tougher measures, using all its opportunities. I think this possible development will deserve the very negative attitude of its NATO allies. If Turkey sees that Azerbaijan is losing, no other option will remain for Turkey. Will they allow Azerbaijan to lose? I think we should take this announcement serious’’, the Turkologist said.
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> According to Ruben Safrastyan, Turkey can stand back from the idea of sending troops to Azerbaijan only in case of very powerful pressures from Russia, the USA and its NATO allies.
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> Azerbaijan unleashed full-fledged war against Artsakh on September 27. It’s directly supported by Turkey, which has sent thousands of Syrian and Libyan terrorists to the conflict zone to fight against Armenians. Turkey also has F-16 fighter jets in Azerbaijan, which Turkey and Azerbaijan denied for a long time, but later Azerbaijani president Aliyev admitted it, saying that they are on the ground and do not participate in any military operation.
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> The Armenian side has provided proofs that a Turkish F-16 fighter jet downed an Armenian SU-25 jet in the Armenian air space on September 29.
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> 2)
> https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032361.html
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> Armenpress
> October 22, 2020
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> Armenian MFA urges Azerbaijan, Turkey not to undermine efforts to establish verifiable ceasefire
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> YEREVAN – The Foreign Ministry of Armenia urges Azerbaijan and its supporter Turkey not to undermine the efforts of the international community to establish a verifiable ceasefire regime, and not to engage in their traditional policy of blame shifting, ARMENPRESS reports reads the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia.
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> ”Today, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan issued a manipulative statement, in which an attempt was made to attribute the position of Azerbaijan and Turkey, which rejects the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to the Armenian side.
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> The military aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh, with the direct involvement of Turkey and pro-Turkish terrorists, is aimed at annihilating the indigenous people of Artsakh, and from the very first day, is accompanied by numerous violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes. Under these circumstances ensuring the existential security of the people of Artsakh becomes an imperative.
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> The Republic of Armenia consistently supports the unconditional implementation of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities set in the statements reached on October 10 and October 17, with the mediation of the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries.
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> Consistently pursuing the position of excluding the military settlement of the conflict, we once again emphasize that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which holds an international mandate.
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> We call on Azerbaijan and its supporter Turkey not to undermine the efforts of the international community to establish a verifiable ceasefire regime, and not to engage in their traditional policy of blame shifting”, reads the statement.
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> 3)
> https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032359.html
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> Armenpress
> October 22, 2020
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> Turkey’s efforts to have military presence in South Caucasus are against Russian interests – expert
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> -Melkonyan sees Turkey’s ambitions for a Syrian scenario, by which Turkish and Russian troops control some Syrian territories, but this plan of Turkey is not in the interests of Russia.
> ”Syria is one region, South Caucasus is another. South Caucasus has traditionally been in the interests of Russia. I think Turkey’s attempts to have military presence in this region directly contradicts the interests of Russia. Naturally, this once again shows Turkey’s direct involvement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, he said.
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> YEREVAN – Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan emphasizes that given the factor that Russia has a military base in Armenia, Turkey will try to reinforce its de-facto military presence in Azerbaijan with de-jure presence, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told ARMENPRESS, commenting on the announcement of the vice president of Turkey Fuat Oktay, saying that they will not hesitate to send their troops to Azerbaijan if Baku applies.
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> ”In fact, Turkey is trying to legitimize the presence of its troops in Azerbaijan deployed during the unprecedented Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises and have a military base there,” Melkonyan said.
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> Melkonyan sees Turkey’s ambitions for a Syrian scenario, by which Turkish and Russian troops control some Syrian territories, but this plan of Turkey is not in the interests of Russia.
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> ”Syria is one region, South Caucasus is another. South Caucasus has traditionally been in the interests of Russia. I think Turkey’s attempts to have military presence in this region directly contradicts the interests of Russia. Naturally, this once again shows Turkey’s direct involvement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, he said.
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> According to Melkonyan, it’s obvious that Turkey will use Azerbaijan as a tool. He does not rule out that yielding to provocations, Azerbaijan may ask or offer Turkey to deploy troops in Azerbaijan. ”These issues will lead to a complicated political situation in Azerbaijan, putting at risk Azerbaijan’s sovereignty”, Melkonyan said.
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> ****
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> 4)
> https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286891/
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>
> PanArmenian.net
> October 22, 2020
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> Zatulin not ruling out Russian landing operation in Armenia
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> -According to the lawmaker, peace in the region was breached by Azerbaijan and Turkey, so they should be reminded “which country remains the leader in the post-Soviet space.”
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> First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin has said that one of the ways that Russia might react to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh could be a landing operation in Armenia.
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> According to the lawmaker, peace in the region was breached by Azerbaijan and Turkey, so they should be reminded “which country remains the leader in the post-Soviet space.” At the same time, he admitted he was not sure how exactly Moscow should act, but he named the landing operation among the possible options, RIA Novosti reports.
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> “In the form of demonstratively strengthening the military potential of Armenia. In the form of appealing to the CSTO because of the need to take measures to protect Armenia – not Nagorno-Karabakh – but the Armenian territory through a landing operation. By breaking the air blockade,” Zatuling said, adding that any such measure is a forced decision.
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> “We are talking about the spread of militants across the Caucasus, which could harm Russia, Georgia and everyone else. There is a threat to large masses of the Armenian population, amid the historic memory of Genocide perpetrated in the area. We must take action.”
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> Russian Senator Alexey Pushkov said, meanwhile, that if Turkey sends troops to Azerbaijan, the Karabakh conflict will only intensify, and a peaceful scenario will be ruled out.
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> Pushkov’s comments came after Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Wednesday, October 21 that Ankara will not hesitate to send soldiers and provide military support for Azerbaijan if such a request is made by Baku.
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> Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.
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> ****
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> 5)
> https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032339.html
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> Armenpress
> October 21, 2020
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> It will be possible to achieve ceasefire if NATO member Turkey remains out – President Sarkissian
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> YEREVAN – President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian said during a joint briefing with Secretary General of the NATO Jens Stoltenberg that if NATO member Turkey stops being a party to Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it will be possible to achieve a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations.
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> ‘’This is a conflict not only between the Armenian side and Azerbaijan, but there is also the 3rd country that supports Azerbaijan in military and diplomatic arenas. That country is Turkey, which also brings terrorists to the region. Unfortunately, that country is also a NATO member. If the NATO member Turkey stops being a party to the conflict, I think we will be able to achieve a ceasefire and will be able to start negotiations to find a peaceful solution to this conflict’’, ARMENPRESS reports Sarkissian as saying.
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> 6)
> https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286898/
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> PanArmenian.net
> October 22, 2020
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> NATO says not involved in Karabakh conflict, urges adherence to truce
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> NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the the organization is not involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and is deeply concerned by violations of the ceasefire, which have caused tragic loss of life.
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> At a meeting with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian at NATO Headquarters on Wednesday, October 21, Stoltenberg said it is important for NATO and the international security that hostilities end, the suffering stops, and a peaceful solution is found.
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> ….
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> “Being at NATO headquarters, I would like to express my concerns, since there is a third party there that provides political, diplomatic and military assistance to Azerbaijan. A third party that supported and brought Islamist terrorists to this region. And, unfortunately, that third party is a member of NATO. Being here, I could not help but talk about that third party, which is Turkey. I think that the NATO member country, Turkey, must stop being a part of this conflict, adhere to the ceasefire and understand that a peaceful solution must be found.”
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> ****
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> 7)
> https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2020/10/22/Germany-Greek/2386288
>
> Panorama
> October 22, 2020
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> Germany refuses Greek request to end weapon exports to Turkey despite threats of war
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> -The source reminded that in the first third of 2019, Germany sold their Turkish allies a total of €184.1 million worth of armaments, while in 2018 Germany made up almost one-third of all weapon exports to Turkey with €242.8 million.
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> Germany has responded to a Greek request to suspend the export of military equipment to Turkey because of Ankara’s aggressive policies in the region,
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> As the Greek City Times reported, German Foreign Ministry said that the federal government follows “a restrictive and responsible weapons exports policy.”
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> According to the source, the German Foreign Ministry reportedly said that licenses for arms sales to Turkey are granted “after careful consideration and through the prism of foreign and security policy parameters.”
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> The ministry added that the number of licenses for exports of arms to Turkey is “very low.”
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> According to a 2019 German government report, weapons bound for Turkey are exclusively “maritime goods.” Specifically, Germany through ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is assisting Turkey in building six class 214 submarines.
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> Germany’s weapon sales to Turkey, particularly the class 214 submarines, comes at a time when their Turkish allies are threatening to invade Greek islands and continue to violate the maritime sovereign rights of Greece.
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> The source reminded that in the first third of 2019, Germany sold their Turkish allies a total of €184.1 million worth of armaments, while in 2018 Germany made up almost one-third of all weapon exports to Turkey with €242.8 million.
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> ****
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> 8)
> https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286894/
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> PanArmenian.net
> October 22, 2020
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> Greece puts Navy on alert amid potential hostile action from Turkey
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> Greece’s navy has issued a code orange alert, advising battleships to surround a cluster of tiny islands in the southeast Aegean Sea and prepare for potential hostile action from Turkey, the Voice of America reports.
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> Greece’s defense ministry on Wednesday, October 21 released pictures of what Greek officials called a “protective wall,” illustrating what it called the severity of the looming standoff with Turkey.
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> Military officials say Greek gunboats circled the Kastellorizo and a number of uninhabited islands, in a move they said is meant to shield Greek territory against Turkish attempts to survey disputed waters for oil and gas.
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> Ankara redeployed the Oruc Reis survey ship earlier this month just weeks after it had recalled it from a similar mission that nearly brought Greece and Turkey to the brink of war over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
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> More than 60 Greek ships are in the region monitoring the vessel’s moves.
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> Ankara insists it is within its rights to survey the region for gas and oil. But Greek government officials like State Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis warn that any breach of Greek sovereignty will be met with force.
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> 9)
> https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286912/
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> PanArmenian.net
> October 22, 2020
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> Footage shows Iran house damaged from Azeri shells
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> Footage showing the aftermath of stray fire from Azerbaijan damaging a house in Iran has landed online.
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> “Iranian house on the border took was hit by Azeri shelling, local Azeri Telegram site reported,” reads a tweet from Daniel Rád from FERN (Future Economic Rural Network) Europe.
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> The Iranian authorities have announced that dozens of rockets have fallen inside the Islamic Republic since the beginning of hostilities, injuring two people. At least two Israeli-made drones belonging to the Azerbaijani army have also crashed in Iran.
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> Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.
>
> https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2020/10/21/Artsrun-Hovhannisyan/2385804
>
> Panorama
> October 21, 2020
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> Artsrun Hovhannisyan: Heated battles also fought in central part of frontline today
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> Starting early this morning, hostilities continued in all parts of the Artsakh frontline, the official representative of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, told a briefing hosted by the Armenian Unified Infocenter on Wednesday, providing updates on the frontline situation.
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> “Today, heated battles were also fought in the central direction,” he said.
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> In the northern front, the Azerbaijani armed forces made several offensive attempts, which were repelled by the Armenian servicemen, with severe losses inflicted on the adversary. Despite the use of air cover, mainly tactical planes, the assault of the Azerbaijani military did not succeed, Hovhannisyan said.
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> “In the central direction, several subversive groups, the actions of which were shown in a footage released by the Defense Army, tried to infiltrate into our positions and advance, but were dispersed by our artillery fire. These troops were not supported by armor,” the representative said.
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> “Several fierce battles continued in the southern direction as well, specifically the sector at the far south – closer to the Araks riverbed. In several isolated areas, all of the enemy’s attempts to advance were thwarted, without a single Azeri unit advancing even a single millimeter. The adversary suffered significant losses,” he added. “Air force was not used much, although in the morning one enemy warplane was shot down by our armed forces.”
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> In Hovhannisyan’s words, the battles continue, they are not as fierce as they used to be in the previous days, however Azerbaijan uses artillery, few armored vehicles, a large number of subversive groups and infantry, as well as air force.
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> 10)
> https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286875/
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> PanArmenian.net
> October 21, 2020
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> Karabakh army thwart, stops attacks in every sector of the front
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> Starting from early morning on Wednesday, October 21, hostilities continued in all the sectors of the front in Nagorno-Karabakh, including in the center, Armenian Defense Ministry representative Artsrun Hovhannisyan said Wednesday, October 21.
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> “In the north, the Azerbaijani armed forces made several offensive attempts, which were thwarted by our Armed Forces, with significant losses inflicted on the adversary. Despite the use of air force, mainly tactical planes, their assault did not succeed,” Hovhannisyan told a briefing.
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> “In the central sector, several subversive groups tried to penetrate our lines, but were forced to flee after our artillery fire. Armored vehicles were generally not used.”
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> “Fierce battles continued in the southern direction as well, specifically the sector at the far south—along the Araks riverbed. In several isolated areas, all of the opponent’s attempts to advance were blocked, without a single Azeri unit advancing even a single millimeter despite suffering significant losses.”
>
> Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.