DUE to continued Armenian provocations, the situation has reached dangerous levels in South Caucasus. The recent fighting between forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh region has taken the death toll to at least 230 and there appears to be no immediate end to this fighting regardless of ceasefire calls by international community.
Without taking sides, international community needs to take a holistic and realistic analysis of the whole situation to find a solution of the simmering dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh region as per UN Security Council resolutions. It must be seen as to which side opted to shun the course of negotiations and then resorted to armed confrontation. It is indeed Armenia that has once again proved to be an aggressor while Azerbaijan was left with no option but to respond and protect its sovereignty. There are several UN Security Council resolutions that confirm that Nagorno-Karabakh region as part of Azerbaijan and demand immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of forces from the occupied territories. The regrettable part is that Armenia has never shown respect to these UN resolutions. Acting in a hostile manner, it has always tried to illegally change demographic, cultural and physical character of the occupied region. Regardless of this Armenian posture, Azerbaijan has always acted in responsible and matured manner and tried to resolve the conflict through diplomacy and negotiations. Continued occupation of Azerbaijani territories is a serious threat to peace and stability of this region. It is now time for the UN to prove its relevance and move towards implementation of its resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh. As regards Pakistan and its people, they fully stand by Azerbaijan and will continue to support its just and principled position on the matter. Other Muslim countries should also raise their voice in support of Azerbaijan.
