LONDON: The Collective Security Treaty Organization is set to send a mission to assess the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border amid UN concerns over the imminent collapse of a fragile cease-fire.
Fighting erupted in the early hours of Monday between Armenian and Azeri troops as long-running tensions between the neighboring states over the Nagorno-Karabakh region flared, with both sides blaming one another for breaching a Moscow-brokered 2020 peace deal.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said both sides reported “heavy fighting on their international border.”
He added: “According to reports, heavy artillery, drones and large-caliber weapons were used. The exchange of fire reportedly continued through Sept. 13 and 14, while yesterday evening it was announced that a cease-fire had been agreed starting at 8 p.m. local time.”
He said: “We welcome this agreement and hope the cease-fire will hold, but remain deeply concerned over this dangerous escalation, including its possible impact on civilians.”
Following the death of 105 service personnel and wounding of at least six civilians during the recent fighting, Armenia requested deployment of the Russian-led CSTO — the regional equivalent of NATO — to provide a full picture on the source of this latest violence.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan wrote to the UN secretary-general and Security Council alleging violations of the 2020 peace deal that ended a six-week war.
Addressing the UNSC, Mher Margaryan, Armenia’s permanent representative to the UN, said the past three nights had been a “grave time” for the country after “our neighbor to the east instituted a major offensive.
“Over the past year, we have repeatedly brought to the council’s attention Azerbaijan’s breaches of international law.”
He added: “In the absence of proper accountability, we see the actions step up. Azerbaijan has occupied 10 sq. km of Armenia in the past two days, while Armenia engages in negotiations in good faith. This aggression of Azerbaijan is the answer to that.
“As we speak, Azerbaijan is reportedly planning to widen the scope of its predatory conduct, with the blame game and speculation its best friends.”
Azerbaijan’s permanent representative to the UN, Yashar Teymur oglu Aliyev, said this “serious escalation” had been “provoked by Armenia,” adding that Margaryan’s statement demonstrated the country’s lack of good faith in finding a peaceful solution.
“We reject the claims made, the distortions and deceptions. (The fighting) is the consequence of Armenian aggression, which remains unaddressed,” added Aliyev.
Jenca said he was unable to verify specifics of reports surrounding what was occurring on the ground, adding that he “fully supported” mediation efforts being undertaken by international organizations, the EU and Russia.
After an initial cease-fire brokered by Moscow on Tuesday failed to hold, China welcomed the latest cessation in hostilities, but added: “We hope both sides stick to this.”
Expressing “extreme concern” over the resumption of hostilities, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, urged both sides to return to the trilateral deal reached with Moscow in 2020, describing it as the basis for the “path to peace.”
But, he said, “sustainable results in bringing about peace require time and effort from both Baku and Yerevan.”
He added: “Substantial efforts are being undertaken by Russia’s Ministry of Defense and our border forces, and we are also engaging both parties. But the main thing today is for both parties to stop armed clashes and implement cease-fires.”
However, with fighting on the border at its worst since 2020, representatives expressed “deep concern” over the apparent targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“The UAE expresses satisfaction at the cease-fire but remains deeply concerned over the ongoing violence, and wishes to see efforts convert to a lasting cease-fire and thereafter a lasting peace,” said Ameira Obaid Mohamed Obaid Alhefeiti, Emirati deputy permanent representative.
“Repeated crisis and humanitarian suffering will weaken the world order. We urge the parties to return to the negotiating table and seek a diplomatic solution quickly.”
Russian-led mission to assess situation along Armenia-Azerbaijan border
https://arab.news/wf5ux
Russian-led mission to assess situation along Armenia-Azerbaijan border
- Concerns over imminent collapse of fragile Moscow-brokered cease-fire
- ‘Heavy fighting’ has led to the death of 105 service personnel and wounding of civilians
Trump says Australia will grant asylum to Iran women footballers
- Presenter on Iranian state TV had branded the players “wartime traitors” after they stood motionless during the anthem
MIAMI: US President Donald Trump said Monday that Australia had agreed to grant asylum to some of Iran’s visiting women’s football team, amid fears they could face retaliation back home for not singing the national anthem before a match.
The gesture ahead of the team’s Asian Cup match against South Korea last week was seen by many as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic just two days after the United States and Israel attacked it.
“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of,” Trump said Monday on his Truth Social network, less than two hours after an initial post urging Australia to take them in.
Trump added that “some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return.”
There was no immediate comment from the Australian government, which has so far declined to say whether it could offer the players asylum.
Asked about their case on Sunday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia “stands in solidarity” with the people of Iran.
The son of Iran’s late shah, US-based Reza Pahlavi, warned on Monday that the refusal to sing the anthem could have “dire consequences,” and urged Australia to offer the team protection.
Trump then weighed in, pressing Albanese to “give ASYLUM” to the team and adding: “The US will take them if you won’t.”
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed,” the US leader said on Truth Social.
Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy, has billed himself as the man to lead a democratic transition to a secular Iran as the theocratic regime fights to survive.
Politicians, human rights activists and even “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling have also called for the team to be offered official protection.
“Please, protect these young women,” Rowling said in a post on social media.
‘Save our girls’
A presenter on Iranian state TV had branded the players “wartime traitors” after they stood motionless during the anthem before their match against South Korea.
In subsequent games, the players saluted and sang.
Crowds gathered outside the Gold Coast stadium where the side played their last match over the weekend, banging drums and shouting “regime change for Iran.”
They then surrounded the Iranian team bus, chanting “let them go” and “save our girls.”
On Monday, an AFP journalist saw members of the team speaking on phones from their balcony of their hotel.
Asked about the possibility of granted asylum, a spokesperson for Australia’s Home Affairs department told AFP earlier it “cannot comment on the circumstances of individuals.”
Amnesty International campaigner Zaki Haidari said they faced persecution, or worse, if they were sent home.
“Some of these team members probably have had their families already threatened,” Haidari told AFP.
“Them going back... who knows what sort of punishment they will receive?“
Despite being heavily monitored, the side would have a “small window of opportunity” to seek asylum at the airport, he said.
Iran’s embassy in Australia did not respond to a request for comment.
