No military solution to Karabakh conflict, OSCE Misnk Group says

April 5, 2016 - 20:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Minsk Group countries issued a statement Tuesday, April 5, condemning the outbreak of unprecedented violence along the line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh.

"We, the representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries (Russian Federation, the United States of America, France, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Turkey), as well as the incoming Austrian OSCE Chair (2017) and the Serbian OSCE Chair (2015), extend our condolences to all affected families," the statement said. "We urge the sides to cease using force immediately. There is no military solution to the conflict."

"The deterioration of the situation on the ground demonstrates the need for an immediate negotiation, under the auspices of the Co-chairs, on a comprehensive settlement," the statement went on to say.

The representatives of the Minsk Group member states reaffirmed their support for the Russian, American, and French Co-chairs’ mediation efforts, "welcoming their plans to undertake direct consultations with the sides as soon as possible."

The parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict agreed on a bilateral ceasefire along the contact line which came into force at 12:00 midday, April 5. The Azerbaijani sidekept firing, but not in the same intensity.

Prior to that, on the night of April 1-2, Azerbaijani armed forces initiated overt offensive operations in the southern, southeastern and northeastern directions of the line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh.

As many as 20 Karabakh servicemen were killed and 72 were wounded in the course of military operations. In addition, 4 civilians and 5 volunteers have been killed.

26 Karabakh soldiers have gone missing so far.

As of April 5, the Azerbaijani side has lost 29 tanks and over 5 armored vehicles, including an IFV, as well as 1 TOS-1A Solntsepyok multiple rocket launcher, 1 BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, 2 military helicopters and 7 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Seven Karabakh tanks have been neutralized since April 2.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.