According to the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Azerbaijani forces opened heavy fire on convoys transporting food supplies to Armenian troops. Armenia’s defense ministry confirmed that the bombardment left casualties on the Armenian side as well, highlighting the human cost of the renewed hostilities.
The same briefing noted that the frontline situation remained comparatively steady around mid-afternoon, with the overall status described as relatively stable at 4 p.m. local time. This assessment underscores the fragile balance on the ground despite ongoing incidents at multiple sectors of the line.
On September 19, Azerbaijani authorities announced what they termed a local counter-terrorism operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. They described the mission as aimed at suppressing large-scale provocations, disarming Armenian units, and withdrawing Armenian forces from the area. Armenian leaders and observers characterized those moves as a bid to alter the demographic and political landscape of the region, with concerns about ethnic displacement raised in public statements.
The following day, negotiators from Russia facilitated a ceasefire agreement between the parties, with the mediation illustrating continued international interest in stabilizing the contested border area and protecting civilians amid renewed clashes.
By late September, debates intensified around the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani officials asserted that ethnic Armenians in the region should be integrated into Azerbaijan’s social and political fabric, while Armenian representatives warned of the risks of forced changes to the region’s demographic makeup. The talks highlighted the broader issue of how territorial status and minority rights intersect in a conflict zone.
Earlier rounds of dialogue indicated mutual recognition of territorial integrity as a cornerstone of any lasting settlement. Both sides have expressed a willingness to pursue a political solution, though differences over borders, security arrangements, and rights for ethnic Armenians in the region have persisted, complicating efforts to reach a comprehensive treaty.