A complete cessation of hostilities has been announced in Nagorno-Karabakh from 13:00 on September 20, 2023. The agreement was reached with the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. This decision actually means the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to the unrecognized republic's statement, it provides for the complete disarmament of the Nagorno-Karabakh army and the withdrawal of heavy equipment from its territory.
"During two days of fierce fighting, units of the Armed Forces of Artsakh heroically defended themselves against the enemy, which was several times superior in manpower and military equipment, inflicting the greatest losses on them. Unfortunately, the Artsakh side also suffered losses and wounded, and in some areas the enemy managed to break through to the combat positions of the Defense Forces, taking control of a number of heights and strategic road junctions," the statement reads.
In this regard, the authorities of Karabakh agreed to the proposal of the Russian peacekeeping mission to cease fire in view of the losses and the offensive of the Azerbaijani army.
The Azerbaijani side proposed conditions for reintegration and ensuring the rights of Karabakh Armenians, as well as ensuring the livelihoods of the population in accordance with the Constitution of Azerbaijan. These issues will be discussed at the upcoming meeting of representatives of the local Armenian population and representatives of the central government of Azerbaijan, scheduled for September 21, 2023.
Thus, the Armenians of Karabakh have accepted the conditions offered by Azerbaijan, which actually means their surrender.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reacted to Karabakh's surrender and made an address to the nation. It was broadcast live on September 20, Factor.am reports.
The prime minister said that Armenia did not participate in the drafting of the ceasefire statement. At the same time, the country "takes note" of the decisions of the authorities in Baku and Karabakh. However, Pashinyan noted that Yerevan does not understand the point of the statement "on the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces." According to him, Armenia has not had an army in Nagorno-Karabakh since August 2021.
UPDATED
A video of Armenians leaving Stepanakert after the surrender of the Nagorno-Karabakh "authorities" has been posted online. Judging by the symbols, they are in the area of a Russian military base.
