Armenia Rejects Azerbaijani Accusations of Border Fire, Renews Call for Joint Investigation Mechanism
YEREVAN, Armenia – Tensions remain high along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border following a recent exchange of accusations regarding ceasefire violations. Armenia’s Ministry of Defense has categorically denied claims made by Azerbaijan that Armenian forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions on April 9th. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense alleged that Armenian units targeted their positions in the northeastern section of the shared border around 11:50 PM. However, the Armenian side swiftly refuted these allegations, labeling them as disinformation and inconsistent with the facts.
This latest incident underscores the persistent challenges in establishing and maintaining a stable ceasefire between the two countries. The disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, an ethnically Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, has been a source of conflict for decades, erupting into full-scale wars in the early 1990s and again in 2020. While a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement brought an end to the 2020 war, sporadic clashes and accusations of ceasefire violations have continued to plague the region, hindering efforts to achieve a lasting peace.
The Armenian government, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has actively sought to de-escalate tensions and establish mechanisms for addressing ceasefire violations. A key proposal put forth by Armenia is the creation of a joint Armenia-Azerbaijan commission tasked with investigating alleged breaches of the ceasefire. This mechanism, according to Armenia, would provide a transparent and impartial framework for assessing the veracity of claims made by both sides, thereby reducing the risk of escalation stemming from misinformation or miscommunication. However, despite repeated calls from Yerevan, Azerbaijan has yet to formally respond to this initiative.
The Armenian Ministry of Defense, echoing the Prime Minister’s stance, has reiterated its willingness to engage in a joint investigation of the April 9th incident. They have called upon Azerbaijan to provide concrete evidence supporting their accusations, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and accountability. This willingness to cooperate in an investigation stands in contrast to Azerbaijan’s reluctance to engage with the proposed joint mechanism.
The lack of a formal response from Baku regarding the joint investigation mechanism raises concerns about Azerbaijan’s commitment to de-escalation and finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border tensions. The Armenian side views the establishment of such a mechanism as a crucial step towards building trust and preventing further escalation. The absence of a collaborative approach to investigating ceasefire violations leaves the region vulnerable to misinterpretations and potentially dangerous escalations.
The international community has a vital role to play in encouraging both Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in constructive dialogue and embrace mechanisms for de-escalation. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States, has been mediating the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for years. Renewed efforts by the international community, particularly the Minsk Group co-chairs, are essential to facilitate dialogue, promote confidence-building measures, and encourage the adoption of mechanisms like the proposed joint investigation commission. A sustainable peace in the region hinges on the willingness of both sides to engage in good-faith efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict and establish effective mechanisms for preventing further violence. The international community must continue to exert pressure on both parties to prioritize dialogue and de-escalation, thereby contributing to a more stable and secure future for the South Caucasus.