Did U.S. Secretary Of State Blinke Warn US Lawmakers That Azerbaijan Is Preparing To Invade Southern Armenia?

 

Politico: Blinken warned lawmakers Azerbaijan may invade Armenia in coming weeks  

He also said State isn’t planning to renew a long-standing waiver that allows the U.S. to provide military assistance to Baku. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned a small group of lawmakers last week that his department is tracking the possibility that Azerbaijan could soon invade Armenia, according to two people familiar with the conversation. 

The call indicates the depth of concern in the administration about Azerbaijan’s operations against a breakaway region in the west of the country and the possibility of the conflict spreading.  

Read more ....  

Update: Politico: Blinken warns Azerbaijan may invade Armenia (Kyiv Independent) 

WNU Editor: The US State Department is denying the above Politico report .... State Dept. Tells Armenpress Report about Blinken Warning Lawmakers About Azerbaijani Attack on Armenia ‘Is Inaccurate’ (Asbarez). But as the above France 24 video report shows. Azerbaijan military forces have already crossed the border in some parts of the province and they are in control of a key highway. The Azerbaijan President has also publicly claimed this Armenian province as being historically Azerbaijan. My sources in Russia are also telling me that Azerbaijan will make a military advance in the coming weeks as the world's attention is now on the Israeli-Hamas war. 

Sighhh ..... it looks like the Caucasus are on the verge (again) of a major war.

Armenia Says More Than 50,000 Refugees Have Fled Nagorno-Karabakh

 

DW: Nagorno-Karabakh: Nearly half of ethnic Armenians flee 

Yerevan said more than 50,000 ethnic Armenians have fled in fear of reprisal from Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Germany and the US are pushing to get independent observers into the breakaway region.

The Armenian government said at least 53,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh since Azerbaijan's operation last week to take control of the breakaway region. 

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday called on Azerbaijan to allow international observers into Nagorno-Karabakh, to show Baku's commitment to protecting the people living there. 

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has also underlined the need for international observers and humanitarian aid in the region in a talk with Azerbaijan's President Aliyev, Washington says.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I said a few days ago that in the months to come much of the Armenian population will leave. I was wrong. It looks like much of the population will be gone in a the next few weeks. 

Armenia Says More Than 50,000 Refugees Have Fled Nagorno-Karabakh  

More than 50,000 refugees have fled Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia says -- France 24  

Nagorno-Karabakh: 50,000 people flee to Armenia along 100 miles of winding road after Azerbaijan military offensive -- SKY News 

Over 50,000 Armenians flee enclave in Azerbaijan as exodus accelerates -- ABC News 

More than a third of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenians flee, says Yerevan -- Al Jazeera  

‘Where are France, America and Charles Michel?’ Armenians rage as 50,000 flee Nagorno-Karabakh -- Politico  

Nearly half of Nagorno-Karabakh’s population has fled. What happens next? -- CNN

Azerbaijan Ends Nagorno-Karabakh Military Operation After Separatists Agree To Lay Down Their Arms

 

France 24: Azerbaijan ends Karabakh operation after separatists surrender 

Azerbaijan on Wednesday announced it had ended its military operation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, after separatist Armenian forces agreed to lay down their arms and hold reintegration talks. 

Baku and the ethnic Armenian authorities in Karabakh said a ceasefire deal had been brokered by Russian peacekeepers to stop the fighting a day after Azerbaijan launched an "anti-terrorist operation." 

The separatists said they had committed to a "full dismantlement" of their forces and the withdrawal of Armenian army units from the region, at the centre of two wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the collapse of the Soviet Union.  

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WNU Editor: When Russia and Armenia signaled that they were not going to get involved, the Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh had no choice but to surrender. 

Azerbaijan Ends Nagorno-Karabakh Military Operation After Separatists Agree To Lay Down Their Arms  

Live: Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan confirms cease-fire -- DW  

Nagorno-Karabakh forces agree Azerbaijan demand to disarm -- BBC  

Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reach cease-fire deal for breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh -- AP  

Ethnic Armenians accept Russia ceasefire plan after Azerbaijan offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh -- CNN  

Nagorno-Karabakh: ceasefire agreed after dozens killed in military offensive -- The Guardian  

Azerbaijan halts Karabakh operation as separatists lay down arms -- AFP  

Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reach cease-fire deal for breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh, officials say -- The Hill

Nagorno-Karabakh announces ceasefire with Azerbaijan -- RT

Azerbaijan Launches Military Operation In Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia Is Accusing Azerbaijan Of Ethnic Cleansing

 

Politico: Azerbaijan launches attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, announces ‘evacuation’ of Armenian population 

The escalation follows weeks of bloody clashes and comes three years after a full-scale war with Armenia over the Caucasus region. 

Azerbaijan has announced a major new military offensive in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, declaring an “evacuation” of ethnic Armenians in “the dangerous area” and opening up a crisis that risks spiralling into all-out war. 

The escalation comes after months of fruitless negotiations and amid growing speculation that Turkey-backed Azerbaijan has been gearing up to use force to bring a decades-long frozen conflict to an end. A war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020 killed thousands on each side. Over the past months, Azerbaijan has been tightening a supply blockade of food and medicines into the ethnic Armenian enclave that lies entirely within its territory.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like the goal Of Azerbaijan in this major military operation is to expel the Armenian population in this region. 

The Duran predicted this disaster yesterday (see video below). 

 

Azerbaijan Launches Military Operation In Nagorno-Karabakh 

Azerbaijan launches operation against Nagorno-Karabakh -- BBC  

Azerbaijan launches operation against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh -- CNN 

Azerbaijan launches ‘anti-terrorist’ campaign in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region -- The Guardian  

Azerbaijan Says Military Operation Underway in Nagorno-Karabakh -- DNYUZ/New York Times  

Azerbaijan launches military action in Karabakh to disarm Armenians -- Reuters  

Blasts in Karabakh as Azerbaijan launches 'anti-terrorist' military operation -- ABC News Australia 

Azerbaijan launches new military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh -- Al Jazeera  

Azerbaijan has ‘unleashed large-scale aggression’ – Armenia -- RT  

Fears of a Second War in Europe as Azerbaijan Launches Military Attack -- Daily Beast

Putin Tries To Mediate Talks Between Armenian And Azerbaijan Leaders In Moscow Yesterday

 

RFE: Armenian, Azerbaijani Leaders Mix Optimistic Talk With Angry Discourse In Moscow 

The leaders of bitter Caucasus rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan mixed words of conciliation with angry disagreement over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a Moscow meeting on May 25 in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said there had been progress in recent days toward a settlement of their long dispute based on mutual recognition of each other's territorial integrity. 

But they also exchanged angry words over Baku's moves to impede Armenian access to Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinian said the actions had caused a humanitarian crisis by closing the only land route from Armenia to the region -- an allegation Aliyev denied.  

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Update #1: Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders spar in front of Putin (Reuters)  

Update #2: Azerbaijan, Armenia seek peace deal in talks in Russia (Daily Sabah)  

Update #3: Armenia, Azerbaijan advance peace talks in Moscow (The Cradle)  

WNU Editor: The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan say they are optimistic that a peace deal will be made .... Armenia, Azerbaijan Optimistic on Normalization at Moscow Talks (Moscow Times). Even Putin says there was progress .... Putin reports progress in talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying only technical issues remain (AP). 

But I saw no progress in yesterday's talks. What I saw were two sides who bitterly hate each other, and only showed up in Moscow because Putin told them to show up.

Another Deadly Border Clash Between Armenian And Azerbaijan Forces

South Caucasus rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan on Tuesday accused each other of opening fire around the contested Nagorno-Karabkah region in a clash that resulted in deaths on both sides. (AFP/File)  

RFE: Seven Deaths Reported In Fresh Armenian-Azerbaijani Border Skirmish  

The defense ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan reported a total of seven deaths among members of their armed forces in renewed fighting at one of the sections of the restive border between the two South Caucasus nations. 

The Armenian Defense Ministry said on April 11 that four Armenian soldiers were killed and six wounded "as a result of the Azerbaijani provocation from the Armenian side," while the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported three Azerbaijani soldiers died. 

As of 8:30 p.m. local time, the situation on the front line was relatively stable, the Armenian Defense Ministry said in its statement. 

Yerevan and Baku accused each other of provoking the latest skirmish on April 11.  

Read more .... 

Another Deadly Border Clash Between Armenian And Azerbaijan Forces  

Armenian and Azeri soldiers clash near contested Nagorno-Karabakh region -- The Guardian/Reuters  

Armenia, Azerbaijan military forces clash along border; at least 7 killed -- FOX News/AP  

At Least Seven Killed in Fresh Azerbaijan-Armenia Border Clash -- Bloomberg  

Armenia, Azerbaijan say troops killed in border shootout -- Al Jazeera

Azerbaijan And Armenia Resume Attacks

 

CNN: Ceasefire is short-lived as Azerbaijan and Armenia resume attacks 

Despite earlier claims of a ceasefire, fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia continued Wednesday, a day after nearly 100 soldiers died in clashes, according to the Azerbaijani and Armenian ministries of defense. 

Russia suggested it had brokered a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in a statement Tuesday, but it proved short-lived.

The Russian-mediated ceasefire was “almost immediately broken,” according to US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby.  

Read more .... 

Azerbaijan And Armenia Resume Attacks  

Armenia and Azerbaijan clash again as foreign peace efforts intensify -- Reuters  

Armenia, Azerbaijan trade blame for clashes that killed 155 -- AP  

Armenia says 105 troops killed in Azerbaijan border clashes -- BBC  

Armenia's PM: Azerbaijan established control over some territories -- DW  

Armenia, Azerbaijan trade blame over armed border clashes -- France 24  

Azerbaijan has used Russia's weakness in Ukraine, expert says -- DW  

EXPLAINER: What’s behind the new Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting -- AP

Russia Announces Armenia - Azerbaijan Ceasefire After Dozens Killed In Border Clashes

 

CNN: Russia claims ceasefire reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan after fighting erupts along border  

Russia claimed it has brokered a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan after fighting erupted on the border between the two countries this week, bringing a decades-old conflict to the brink of reigniting. 

“We call on the parties to refrain from further escalation of the situation, exercise restraint and strictly observe the ceasefire in accordance with the trilateral statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021,” a Russian foreign ministry statement said. 

“We are in close contact with Baku and Yerevan. An appeal was received from the Armenian leadership to assist in resolving the situation … We expect that the agreement reached as a result of Russian mediation on a ceasefire from 9.00 am Moscow time on September 13 will be carried out in full,” it added.  

Read more .... 

Russia Announces Armenia - Azerbaijan Ceasefire After Dozens Killed In Border Clashes  

Armenia Accuses Azerbaijan Of Launching Fresh Attack On Border -- RFE  

Deadly Clashes Erupt Along Armenia-Azerbaijan Border; US Calls For An End To Hostilities -- IBTimes

Fresh clashes break out on Armenia-Azerbaijan border -- Euronews/AFP  

Armenia claims at least 49 killed in clashes along border with Azerbaijan -- The Guardian  

Armenia says 49 soldiers killed in clashes with Azerbaijan -- CNBC/Reuters  

France Says To Take Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict To UN Security Council -- AFP  

Armenia reveals losses in border clashes with Azerbaijan -- RT  

Armenian PM says 49 people killed in Azerbaijan’s attack -- TASS  

What is behind the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict flare-up? -- Al Jazeera

President Trump's Silence On The Armenia - Azerbaijan War Is Raising Concerns Among The U.S.-Armenian Community

 

Laura Kelly, The Hill: Trump silence on Nagorno-Karabakh weighs on Armenian-American voters

President Trump’s silence on a weeks-long conflict in the southern Caucasus is roiling the Armenian community in the U.S., which is expressing outrage over a lack of action by the administration. 

The Armenian American community, which numbers about 1.5 million, has called for the president and Congress to condemn Azerbaijan for an outbreak of fighting last month in the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh that they view as part of their historic homeland. 

They are further outraged by Turkey’s interference in the conflict and the president's unwillingness to condemn Ankara. 

Read more .... 

Update: Armenia and Azerbaijan Are at War. Does President Trump Even Know? (Jonah Shepp, NYMag). 

WNU Editor: President Trump did issue a statement at the beginning of the conflict .... Trump Says U.S. Will Try to Stop Armenia, Azerbaijan War As Nations Urge Calm (Newsweek). But then he got sick. There is an election. And quite frankly there is little that the US can do in this conflict. But words from the US President do have an impact. Both at home and abroad. And he should make them.