Azerbaijan launches military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh
(VOVWORLD) - Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of southwestern Azerbaijan with an Armenian-majority population that wants to join Armenia.
 The national flags of Azerbaijan (left) and Armenia at the border checkpoint between the two countries in Sotk village in Armenia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
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This has caused a persistent sovereignty dispute between the two neighboring countries.
People of Armenian origin in Nagorno-Karabakh say Azerbaijan attacked the area with artillery, fighter jets, and drones. 25 people were killed and 138 injured. More than 7,000 people in 16 villages were evacuated. Armenia's Foreign Ministry raised objections against Azerbaijan's military action.
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "concern" and called on the parties involved to immediately end the bloodshed, hostile activities, and civilian casualties.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is pushing for Azerbaijan and Armenia to sit down at the negotiating table.