Officials representing a self-declared regional authority in Nagorno-Karabakh announced an immediate pause in fighting. The statement said that hostilities would halt at 13:00 local time on September 20, 2023, with a path toward disarmament as a prerequisite for ongoing discussions and eventual reintegration into the broader regional framework.
Information circulated by the Information Center attributed the ceasefire to mediation by the Russian peacekeeping mission stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh. The accord called for a full stop to hostilities at the specified moment and the withdrawal of remaining Armenian forces. It also confirmed the operational area for the Russian peacekeeping mission and demanded the dissolution and complete disarmament of the armed formations identified as the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army.
On the Nagorno-Karabakh side, questions from Azerbaijan about reintegration, rights protection, and security for Armenians in the region were to be addressed in a scheduled meeting between Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh authorities. The gathering was set for September 21 in Yevlakh, with follow-up discussions expected in subsequent sessions.
The Azerbaijani presidency stated that talks with Nagorno-Karabakh authorities would occur only after weapons were laid down and the breakaway administration dissolved as a sovereign entity. It warned that, if these conditions were not met, actions aimed at counterterrorism would continue until a resolution was reached.
Responding to the Karabakh administration’s request for talks and its push for a ceasefire, Baku pointed to a large-scale Azerbaijani military operation earlier in the week that had escalated the conflict. This escalation coincided with the latest official estimates from the Armenian side of civilian and combatant casualties, underscoring the human toll and the urgent need for a peaceful settlement.
Observers described the situation as highly volatile, with implications for regional security, refugee movements, and political alignments among neighboring states. The role of third-party mediators, including the Russian peacekeeping contingent, was highlighted as essential to maintaining a stable dialogue framework and steadily reducing tensions. Analysts emphasized the importance of clear demobilization timelines, verification measures, and guarantees of rights for Nagorno-Karabakh residents as part of any durable resolution.
Both sides prepared for additional discussions in the coming weeks, recognizing that progress would depend on tangible steps toward demilitarization, accountability for past aggression, and a reintegration path that respects the security concerns of all communities involved. The international community urged restraint and urged parties to keep communication lines open to prevent a relapse into renewed hostilities and to support humanitarian access and protection for civilians affected by the fighting.
As the ceasefire took hold, emergency services and aid organizations planned to assist those impacted by the clashes, while diplomatic channels remained active in regional capitals. The evolving developments underscored the delicate balance between sovereignty claims, regional stability, and the practical needs of people seeking safety, stability, and a future free from ongoing conflict.