As we reported earlier, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Artsakh on the morning of September 27, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. This is the most significant violation of the ceasefire since the war ended in 1994, with Azerbaijan once again being the clear aggressor. Within hours of the attack, the governments of Artsakh and Armenia declared martial law and started the process of general mobilization.
We Are Also Fighting Turkey
Artsakh’s President Arayik Harutyunyan told reporters in a press briefing that there is evidence that Turkey is actively involved in the military operations. Harutyunyan said that “we are also fighting Turkey” and cited the presence of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, the unconfirmed downing of an F-16 fighter jet, military personnel, and Syrian militants. Harutyunyan stated that the F-16s, which were brought to Azerbaijan under the pretense of military drills, were being used for reconnaissance.
Analysis of flight data fully corroborates Harutyunyan’s statements about Turkey’s active involvement. Earlier, Alen Ghulyan had observed that at least six flights carrying military cargo had taken place between Turkey and Azerbaijan on September 24. Four of these flights were carried out by Airbus A400M-180 and the other two were Azerbaijani IL-76TD, both of which are military transport aircraft. The aircrafts traveled over Georgian airspace and some of them made stops in Israel. On September 27, Razm.info noted that unidentified aircraft were patrolling the Turkish-Armenian border, apparently gathering intelligence.
Turkey has openly expressed support for Azerbaijan in the past, but this level of cooperation between the two states is unprecedented and is the continuation of bellicose rhetoric from both countries in the past several months.
Azerbaijan Suffers Heavy Losses
During the briefing, Harutyunyan stressed that Azerbaijan had provoked fighting along the full length of the line of contact, from Omar to Arax. With this scale of fighting, losses on both sides are inevitable. Preliminary reports indicate that the Armenian side has shot down four helicopters and 27 UAVs, has destroyed 33 tanks and 2 armored vehicles, and has inflicted heavy personnel losses on Azerbaijan. Artsrun Hovhannisyan, the spokesperson for the Armenian Armed Forces, indicated that the death toll on the Azerbaijani side is around 200. Notably, Azerbaijani opposition media reports the death of lieutenant-colonel Mehman Mirəziz oğlu Şirvanov.
According to Defense Ministry spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, the Armenian Armed Forces have launched a counterattack and have seized 11 pieces of the enemy armored vehicles with their combat equipment, including a BMP-3.
Harutyunyan confirmed that the Armenian side has limited territorial losses, primarily in the Talysh region and also some positions in the southern section. Since military operations are still active, he did not provide any more details and also highlighted the fact that the situation is very fluid, indicating that we could return these territories in the coming days.
Honoring Our Fallen & Injured Heroes
The Armenian side has published the names of sixteen military servicemen who have fallen thus far. Each and every one is a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for the homeland. May God rest their souls.
- Hasmik Smbati Arzumanyan (1985-2020)
- Lernik Aregi Vartanyan (1978-2020)
- Gyorgi Lyovayi Minasyan (1979-2020)
- Hovik Lyovayi Khachatryan (1990-2020)
- Ashot Kolyayi Mnatsakanyan (1979-2020)
- Aksen Antraniki Harutyunyan (1997-2020)
- Arsen Gariki Mardiyan (1999-2020)
- Ruben Mnatsakani Galstyan (2000-2020)
- Davit Mkhitar Torosyan (2001-2020)
- Taron Hrayri Filiposyan (2000-2020)
- Mayis Makari Grigoryan (2001-2020)
- Garnik Edgar Khlghatyan (2001-2020)
- Erik Smbati Sahakyan (2001-2020)
- Karen Vahrami Markaryan (2000-2020)
- Davit Edvardi Ohanyan (2000-2020)
- Vrezh Arseni Barseghyan (2001-2020)
Approximately 100 Armenian soldiers have been injured in the fighting. Those with serious injuries have been transported to Yerevan for medical treatment.
Azerbaijan is Targeting Civilian Areas
The Human Rights Defender, Artak Beglaryan, reports that Azerbaijan has targeted civilian infrastructure and the peaceful population of Artsakh. In particular, more than 50 civilian settlements have been attacked using a combination of artillery and combat drones. There are two confirmed civilian deaths, a woman and her granddaughter who were killed in Martuni. There are also 30 confirmed injuries, including a pregnant woman who was seriously hurt as a result of Azerbaijani shelling. Thankfully, doctors were able to save her life as well as her baby’s.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of civilian structures have been damaged, including apartments, roads, water, gas, and electricity infrastructure. As a result of Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh’s peaceful population, a major humanitarian crisis is underway in the region.
