US voices 'deep concern' for Armenians in Karabakh
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and conveyed "deep concern" for the ethnic Armenians in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh following recent hostilities. The region, which is geographically a part of Azerbaijan, has seen sporadic fighting over the recent years, including earlier this week, when Azerbaijan conducted "anti-terrorist operations" in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Blinken said the US is "calling on Azerbaijan to protect civilians and uphold its obligations to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and to ensure its forces comply with international humanitarian law." He reaffirmed Washington's support for Armenia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as the conflict threatens to expand to its territory.