Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian has revealed he is ready to join the army to fight Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh.

In an interview with chess24, Aronian said he already has friends who have been casualties of the fighting that started last month.

"My country is under assault by Turkey and Azerbaijan. We are trying to protect ourselves and our right to live in peace. For every Armenian in the world this is now the main concern. I am going back tomorrow and will do everything I can to help my country overcome this trouble," he said in Norway where he was competing at the Altibox Norway Chess tournament.

"I will do everything to help my country with everything I can. If it is necessary for my country for me to be in the army I will do that."

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.

Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support humanitarian efforts in Karabakh.