Karabakh crisis: Turkey denies involvement in clashes, UNSC calls for immdiate ceasefire

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last night called Azerbaijan and Armenia to end fighting in the Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The council's members "expressed concern over reports of large-scale military actions along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone," in a statement.

"They strongly condemn the use of force and regret the loss of life and the toll on the civilian population," they added. "Security Council members expressed their full support for the central role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and urge the sides to work closely with them for an urgent resumption of dialogue without preconditions."

Since Sunday (September 26), dozens of soldiers and civilians have been reportedly killed in the fighting as both sides accuse each other of starting the clashes.

Turkey denies reports about downing a SU-25 jet

The Presidency's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun last night denied Armenia's claim that Turkey downed a fighter jet of Armenia, Habertürk reported.

A spokesperson for Armenia's Defense Ministry, Shushan Stepanyan, said yesterday on her Facebook page that an F-16 of Turkey shot down a SU-25 fighter jet belonging to Armenia. The pilot of the jet was also killed, she said.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev also denied Turkey's involvement in the war in a separate statement.

Speaking to Russia's state-run broadcaster Rossiya 1 yesterday, Aliyev said that Armenia's claims that Turkey was involved in clashes were "provocative" and that his country didn't need such an involvement.

"I am of the opinion that Turkey's role in the region is aimed at stabilizing. Turkey is a brother country for us, it's our ally," he said. "We appreciate the Turkish state and people for their solidarity and support. Turkey does not participate in any other capacity in this conflict."

He also pointed out that there was no evidence showing the involvement of Turkey in the clashes.

Azerbaijan's official toll

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said 2,300 soldiers of Armenia were killed and wounded since September 27.

Also, approximately 130 tanks and armored vehicles, more than 200 artillery and missile systems, approximately 25 air defense systems, six command and observation zones, five ammunition depots, approximately 50 anti-tank guns and 55 cars were destroyed, it added.

Infrastructure suffered damage in the region, while no civilians were injured in the attacks, it said. (EKN/VK)