Aliyev and Erdogan discussed the completion of the “anti-terrorist operation” in Karabakh

The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had a telephone conversation on September 20. About it reports press service of the Azerbaijani leader.

“During the telephone conversation, an exchange of views took place on the completion of local anti-terrorist measures, the laying down of arms by illegal armed groups in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and their disarmament,” the statement said.

The leaders also emphasized that Baku and Ankara remain “always close to each other” and discussed future contacts and further alliance.

Azerbaijan announced the start of “anti-terrorism measures” necessary for the “restoration of the constitutional order” in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. The Russian Foreign Ministry called to “immediately stop the bloodshed” and return to the implementation of trilateral agreements. The next day, the unrecognized republic announced the conclusion of agreements on a complete ceasefire and disarmament of troops with the participation of Russian peacekeepers.

On the afternoon of September 20, Armenian Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan reportedthat 32 people were killed during the shelling in Nagorno-Karabakh. Seven of them are civilians, including two children. More than 200 people were injured, including 35 civilians, 13 of whom were children. Later, in the office of Human Rights Commissioner Gegham Stepanyan in Nagorno-Karabakh stated about 200 dead and over 400 injured.

The Kremlin previously emphasized that Russian peacekeepers continue to perform their functions in the region. On the evening of September 20, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reportedthat a car with Russian peacekeepers came under fire in Karabakh. The servicemen who were in the car at that moment died. Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan expressed Condolences to the command and families of the victims.