October 20, 2020 - 14:41 AMT
27 mercenaries deployed in Azerbaijan killed in the past 48 hours – Monitor

At least 27 Syrian mercenaries deployed in Azerbaijan have died in Nagorno-karabakh fighting in the past 48 hours, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Tuesday, October 20.

The death toll from militant factions has now reached 161, the Observatory said, since they were thrown into battle by the Turkish government on September 27. The bodies of 92 mercenaries have already been returned to Syria while the rest are still in Azerbaijan, the monitor said.

While Turkey continues sending fighters to Azerbaijan, the Observatory said no less than 2050 mercenaries have already been deployed in the conflict zone. In addition, more militants from Al-Hamzat and Sultan Murad divisions are waiting for their transfer to Azerbaijan.

Armenia was the first to report on Turkey's deployment of thousands of Syrian and Libyan fighters to Azerbaijan. International media publications followed suit, as did reactions from France, Russia Iran and Syria.

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.