By Agha Iqrar Haroon
He is also Chief Editor of DND News Agency. He covered Afghan War during 1995-97 and then during 2002-2004 as Conflict Reporter
There is no need to go into details of the Azerbaijan and Armenian conflict because everybody who has an interest in international affairs knows that four UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions are waiting for their executions and every resolution clearly says that Armenia is occupying Azerbaijani land and Armenia is the aggressor for centuries.
The recent standoff between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the latest wave of Armenian acts of aggression against the civil population of Azerbaijan needs an answer to one question—-why and what for Armenia initiated the recent phase of destabilization in the Caucasian region?
Another question is that who is behind this tiny country (Armenia) to launch the naked aggression against economically and socially flourishing Azerbaijan?
Let us have a look at last week’s development to find answers to some important questions.
On September 27, 2020, the armed forces of Armenia blatantly violated the ceasefire regime and launched another aggression against Azerbaijan by intensively attacking the positions of the armed forces of Azerbaijan along the frontline, as well as the villages of Qapanli of Terter district, Chiragli, and Orta Garavend of Aghdam district, Alkhanli, and Shukurbeyli of Fizuli district and Jojuq Merjanli of Jabrayil district using large-caliber weapons, mortar launchers and artillery.
As a result, there had been casualties among the civilians and military servicemen of Azerbaijan. The extensive damage had been inflicted on many houses and other civilian infrastructure.
In order to repel another military aggression by Armenia and ensure the security of civilians and densely populated residential areas deep inside the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan undertake counter-offensive measures within the right of self-defense and in full compliance with the international humanitarian law.
There is no doubt that the recent aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan is yet another blatant violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law, the international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Additional Protocols, as well as the United Nations Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993 demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
This act of aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan is the continuation of the latest provocations of the Armenian side including its armed attack in the direction of the Tovuz region on July 12-16, 2020, the sabotage-reconnaissance group’s provocation in the direction of Goranboy district on August 23, illegal settlement of ethnic Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as other provocative statements and actions of the Armenian leadership (the non-exhaustive list is herewith attached).
Armenia clearly disregards norms and principles of international law, undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, grossly violates international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure
With these actions, Armenia has undermined the process for the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Full responsibility for the present situation falls on the political-military leadership of Armenia.
At this situation, when Armenia clearly disregards norms and principles of international law, undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, grossly violates international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, it is incumbent on the international community more than ever to demonstrate the principled position and express its solidarity with Azerbaijan in its just struggle to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect its population.
Being well aware of the fact that the illegal presence of the armed forces of Armenia in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions of Azerbaijan is a serious threat to regional peace and security and demonstrating the principled position based on the norms and principles of international law in face of the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and its illegal activities, the international community should extend firm support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan, and its actions in self-defense, and strongly condemn Armenia’s policy of aggression and provocative activities against Azerbaijan and force Armenia to comply with its obligations under international law including international humanitarian law. This is the moment of truth for the entire international community.
The Armenian aggression and occupation of Azeri land are similar to the Indian aggression against Pakistan and Kashmiri people and the occupation of Kashmir but this writer is avoiding sharing similarities because the writer wishes to focus only on Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, it is pertinent to mention that Pakistan and Turkey stand with Azerbaijan again as always by setting aside diplomatic cost because the president and government of Azerbaijan always stand with Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
The President of Pakistan and the entire civil-military leadership along with the Pakistani nation always express gratitude to Azerbaijan for its constant support to the Kashmir cause.
Pakistani media always stands with Azerbaijan and it hopes and expects that Azeri media would also stand with Pakistan on the Kashmir cause because both countries are oppressed and facing blatant aggression from neighbourhoods.
Azeri media understand that Pakistan is the only country on earth that has not yet recognized Armenia as the country due to Pakistan’s love for the Azerbaijani nation. I believe there is a dire need of further media coordination between the two countries to understand current and undercurrents of Azeri-Pak relations. It may be mentioned that Pakistan is co-mover and co-author of all four UNSC Resolutions in favour of Azerbaijan.
Pakistan paid the cost of this support because the Armenian media always promotes, supports and propagates the Indian version on Kashmir in abhorrence to Pakistan for not recognizing this country.
One more important development of this week was the response that came from the United States, Russia, and even from the United Nations. All three most powerful components of the International arena suggest Armenia and Azerbaijan to de-accelerate the situation through bilateral negotiations? Does the Armenian occupation of Azeri land is a bilateral issue only? No—- four UN Security Council resolutions confirm that this is not a bilateral issue rather it is an international issue and international unresolved conflict and this is the responsibility of the UNSC to act swiftly for the execution of its own passed resolutions. Alas, Pakistan also faces the same situation where despite over 13 UNSC resolutions, the UN tells Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally.
Do you think that aggressors (India in the case of Kashmir and Armenia in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh) would withdraw their illegal occupation?
The response to the above-mentioned question can be answered by a grade 5 school child—-
Does the world have UNSC only for aggravating and lingering illegal occupations all over the world where aggressors are powerful and have influence over Veto countries?
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of Dispatch News Desk.
