Pompeo urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to honor Karabakh ceasefire

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to honor the humanitarian ceasefire agreement reached in Moscow on October 10.

"The United States calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to implement their commitments to a ceasefire as agreed and cease targeting civilian areas, such as Ganja and Stepanakert," Pompeo said.

"We deplore the loss of human life and remain committed to a peaceful settlement."

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and mercenaries deployed by Ankara, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages. Although a humanitarian ceasefire was supposed to begin on October 10, Azerbaijan has renewed hostilities along the line of contact.

Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support Karabakh amid Azerbaijan's aggression.