Armenia declares martial law and mobilization amid Azerbaijan clashes
Armenia has declared martial law and total military mobilization following clashes with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday.
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Tensions rose between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sunday morning over clashes in which Yerevan said Azeri forces shelled the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and Baku accused Armenian forces of shelling Azeri military and civilian positions.
Armenian forces have destroyed four Azerbaijani helicopters, 15 drones, and 10 tanks in clashes in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the defense ministry of the region's administration said on Sunday.
Turkey supports Azerbaijan
Turkey has voiced its support for Azerbaijan in response to the clashes.
“While I call on the Armenian people to take hold of their future against their leadership that is dragging them to catastrophe and those using it like puppets, we also call on the the entire world to stand with Azerbaijan in their battle against invasion and cruelty,” said Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter.
“We will support our Azerbaijani brothers with all our means in their fight to protect their territorial integrity,” added Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar in a statement.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later called on the international community to ensure that Turkey does not involve itself in Armenia's conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, trading barbs with Ankara.
Pashinyan also said Turkey's behavior could have destructive consequences for the South Caucasus and neighbouring regions.
Turkey is a key ally of Baku with close cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan.
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