Fierce fighting continues to rage following a flare-up of a decades-old conflict in the Caucasus region of south-eastern Europe,64 soldier and some civilians were killedDozens of deaths have been reported in battles between forces fighting for Armenia and Azerbaijan.On Monday, authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh, who are backed by Armenia, said another 28 of their soldiers had been killed. They had reported 16 fatalities and more than 100 people wounded on Sunday.Armenian authorities said 200 Armenians were wounded, according to Interfax.Azerbaijan said two Azeri civilians were killed on Monday, following the deaths of five people from the same family died on Sunday. It added that 30 civilians were wounded.Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said their forces had reclaimed some territory taken by Azeri troops on Sunday.Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's government said on Monday that it had occupied strategically important locations in the disputed region.At the heart of the conflict is a dispute over control of the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh.It is recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians since a war ended in 1994.Tens of thousands of people died during the war and a million others were forced to leave their homes.Other countries are concerned that the latest fighting could spill out of the region and draw in neighbouring powers, including Turkey, Russia and Iran.They are also keen to maintain stability because major gas and oil pipelines run through the area.Both parties said they had mobilised more soldiers and declared martial law in some areas.The fighting is the heaviest seen in the conflict since 2016, when at least 200 people were killed in clashes.Turkey has already declared its support for Azerbaijan, while Russia - which has military bases in Armenia but is also friendly with Azerbaijan - called for an immediate ceasefire.Armenia has accused Turkey of providing direct military support to help Azerbaijan gain control of territory, a claim denied by Azerbaijan.On Monday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Armenia must immediately end its "occupation" of the region, which he said would end the long crisis.In a BBC interview, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan accused Azerbaijan of sabotaging a peaceful settlement to the conflict and insisted Armenia must defend the region.A spokesperson for Azerbaijan's presidential administration told the BBC that his country was taking "counter-measures" against provocations by Armenia.
Fierce fighting continues to rage following a flare-up of a decades-old conflict in the Caucasus region of south-eastern Europe,64 soldier and some civilians were killed
Dozens of deaths have been reported in battles between forces fighting for Armenia and Azerbaijan.On Monday, authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh, who are backed by Armenia, said another 28 of their soldiers had been killed. They had reported 16 fatalities and more than 100 people wounded on Sunday.
Armenian authorities said 200 Armenians were wounded, according to Interfax.Azerbaijan said two Azeri civilians were killed on Monday, following the deaths of five people from the same family died on Sunday. It added that 30 civilians were wounded.
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said their forces had reclaimed some territory taken by Azeri troops on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's government said on Monday that it had occupied strategically important locations in the disputed region.
At the heart of the conflict is a dispute over control of the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It is recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but has been controlled by ethnic Armenians since a war ended in 1994.
Tens of thousands of people died during the war and a million others were forced to leave their homes.
Other countries are concerned that the latest fighting could spill out of the region and draw in neighbouring powers, including Turkey, Russia and Iran.
They are also keen to maintain stability because major gas and oil pipelines run through the area.Both parties said they had mobilised more soldiers and declared martial law in some areas.
The fighting is the heaviest seen in the conflict since 2016, when at least 200 people were killed in clashes.
Turkey has already declared its support for Azerbaijan, while Russia - which has military bases in Armenia but is also friendly with Azerbaijan - called for an immediate ceasefire.
Armenia has accused Turkey of providing direct military support to help Azerbaijan gain control of territory, a claim denied by Azerbaijan.
On Monday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Armenia must immediately end its "occupation" of the region, which he said would end the long crisis.
In a BBC interview, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan accused Azerbaijan of sabotaging a peaceful settlement to the conflict and insisted Armenia must defend the region.
A spokesperson for Azerbaijan's presidential administration told the BBC that his country was taking "counter-measures" against provocations by Armenia.
Nagorno-Karabakh - key facts
- A mountainous region of about 4,400 sq km (1,700 sq miles)
- Traditionally inhabited by Christian Armenians and Muslim Turks
- In Soviet times, it became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan
- Internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but majority of population is ethnic Armenian
- An estimated one million people displaced by war in 1988-1994, and about 30,000 killed
- Separatist forces captured some extra territory around the enclave in Azerbaijan in the 1990s war
- Stalemate has largely prevailed since a 1994 ceasefire
- Turkey openly supports Azerbaijan
- Russia has military bases in Armenia
- A mountainous region of about 4,400 sq km (1,700 sq miles)
- Traditionally inhabited by Christian Armenians and Muslim Turks
- In Soviet times, it became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan
- Internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but majority of population is ethnic Armenian
- An estimated one million people displaced by war in 1988-1994, and about 30,000 killed
- Separatist forces captured some extra territory around the enclave in Azerbaijan in the 1990s war
- Stalemate has largely prevailed since a 1994 ceasefire
- Turkey openly supports Azerbaijan
- Russia has military bases in Armenia
