UN hopes ceasefire in Garabagh to remain in force

The UN hopes that the cessation of hostilities in Garabagh will be sustainable and lead to a long-term peace settlement.

The statement came from the official representative of the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, told a TASS correspondent.

“We really hope that the ceasefire will remain in force and lead to a more long-term solution,” he told a TASS correspondent on September 20

Azerbaijan Armed Forces launched on September 19 local anti-terrorist measures to neutralise illegal Armenian armed formations and their military infrastructure in the Garabagh region.

The anti-terror activities came on the heels of the intensifying attacks on the Azerbaijani positions and the recent deadly mine incidents in the Khojavand district killing four police officers and two road construction workers. Earlier on September 19, two servicemen of the Azerbaijani army stationed in the Aghdam district were wounded by the Armenian armed formations illegally deployed in the Azerbaijani territories temporarily monitored by the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

By the time of the cessation of hostilities on September 20, the Azerbaijani military disabled artillery systems, radio-electronic warfare, military equipment, ammunition depots, military strongholds, and shelters of the Armenian army formations stationed in the Garabagh region. In video footage disseminated on social media networks, the Azerbaijani army was seen destroying a Russia-made “TOR” multiple-launch rocket system and a “Mortira” electronic warfare system of the Armenian military in the city of Khankendi.

In addition, more than 90 combat posts and strategically important positions of the Armenian military formations were taken under control during the one-day operation, Colonel Anar Eyvazov, a Spokesperson to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, said at a press briefing on Wednesday. Seven military vehicles, 4 mortars, one tank, 2 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as a large number of weapons and ammunition were also captured as trophies.

The Defense Ministry reaffirmed that only legitimate military targets were incapacitated as part of the counter-terrorist measures in the Garabagh region, while the civilian population and civilian infrastructure facilities were not targeted.

On September 20, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan announced the end of the local counter-terrorism measures in the country’s Garabagh region.

According to the ministry, the appeal by the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping command, was considered to cease the local anti-terror activities at 1:00 p.m. on September 20.

The agreement was reached under the following terms:

    - The formations of Armenia’s armed forces stationed in the Garabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts and are subjected to complete disarmament. The formations of Armenia’s armed forces leave the territory of Azerbaijan and illegal Armenian groups are disbanded.
    - Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.
    - Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured.