A new proxy conflict between world powers is developing in the Middle East today as Azerbaijan launches a military offensive against Armenian separatists in heavy fighting that has left at least 16 dead and 100 wounded.
Former Soviet Republic Azerbaijan is an ally of Turkey, which is increasingly flexing its military muscles in the region, and President Recep Erdogan has recently stationed F-16 fighter jets and other military hardware in the country.
Armenia is a historical enemy of Istanbul and has grown increasingly close to the West after achieving independence from the USSR in 1991.
Azerbaijan has launched an armoured offensive with Soviet-era tanks into the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh border region which its on the border with Armenia and has been attempting to break away from Baku.
Azerbaijan’s president said his military had suffered losses in the fighting over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia also claimed that two Azerbaijani helicopters were shot down and three Azerbaijani tanks were hit by artillery, but Azerbaijan’s defence ministry has rejected that claim.
The Nagorno-Karabakh leader Arayik Harutyunyan said on Sunday that the breakaway region has lost some positions to Azerbaijan’s army amid renewed clashes.
He also said there were dead and wounded both among civilians and military personnel.
Source: @mailOnline
