Azerbaijan's Defense Minister, Safar Aliyev, has called on Armenia to withdraw its forces from the disputed Upper Karabakh region. Mr. Aliyev made these remarks on Friday at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group in Baku. The Minsk Group, which seeks to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Upper Karabakh region, consists of representatives from Russia, France, and the United States. U.S. envoy Steven Mann stated that this is a conflict that can only be resolved by Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the Minsk Group can only assist in advancing the dialogue process. The U.S. envoy also met with Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan. The Upper Karabakh region is located in Azerbaijan, but it is controlled by Armenians, who make up the majority of the region's population. Upper Karabakh declared independence in 1988, leading to a six-year war that has resulted in the deaths of 35,000 people so far.
Azerbaijan's Defense Minister: Armenia Should Withdraw Its Forces from the Upper Karabakh Region
Azerbaijan's Defense Minister has urged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the contested Upper Karabakh region during an OSCE meeting. The Minsk Group, which includes representatives from Russia, France, and the U.S., aims to mediate the conflict, which has historical roots and has caused significant casualties. This situation remains critical for regional stability and international diplomatic efforts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Azerbaijan's Defense Minister called for Armenia to withdraw its forces from the Upper Karabakh region during an OSCE meeting. This statement reflects ongoing tensions and the unresolved status of the region, which is predominantly Armenian but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
- Upper Karabakh declared independence in 1988, leading to a war that resulted in 35,000 deaths.
- The Minsk Group aims to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the conflict.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Upper Karabakh conflict has deep historical roots dating back to the Soviet era, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan claiming rights to the territory. The region's ethnic composition complicates the situation further.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%