Azerbaijan claims full control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region as Armenian forces agree to disarm

By AVET DEMOURIAN
Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Azerbaijan claimed full control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region after local Armenian forces there agreed to lay down their weapons following the latest outbreak of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict. Authorities in the ethnic Armenian region declared that local self-defense forces will disarm and disband under a Russia-mediated cease-fire. They also said representatives of the region will start talks Thursday with the Baku government on Nagorno-Karabakh’s “reintegration” into Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev trumpeted victory in a televised address to the nation. Pro-Armenian forces have been weakened by a blockade of the southern Caucasus Mountains region that is recognized internationally as being part of Azerbaijan.