Armenia demands Azerbaijan investigate border ceasefire violations

Armenia has called on Azerbaijan to investigate a series of ceasefire violations occurring along their border, highlighting rising tensions that threaten to reignite conflict. Since the two nations agreed on the text of a peace treaty on March 13, 2025, there have been 26 reported ceasefire violations, compared to only three in the five months leading up to that agreement. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of wrongdoing, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan suggesting these incidents could be due to either indiscipline within Azerbaijan's armed forces or a strategy to exert psychological pressure on the Armenian populace. Last month, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of gunfire directed towards the border settlement of Khnatsakh, causing damage to its cultural center. Azerbaijan has firmly rejected these claims, labeling them as disinformation. The context of these escalating incidents unfolds against the backdrop of both countries having agreed to transition from nearly 40 years of conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which had a predominantly ethnic Armenian population until recent events led to mass exodus. The ceasefire violations come amid a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict, following Azerbaijan's military action in 2023 where control over Karabakh was reclaimed, prompting the exodus of most of its 100,000 Armenians. Although there have been intentions to formalize peace through a treaty, negotiations remain sluggish, particularly as Azerbaijan demands constitutional changes from Armenia that could delay the agreement until 2026. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has insisted on a corridor through Armenian territory linking Baku to Nakhchivan and Turkey as part of the ongoing negotiations. Despite no reported casualties recently, the lack of a formal peace treaty and continued tensions carry the risk of further escalation. The conflict's long-standing nature is evident as both sides continue to deny allegations against one another, complicating the path toward lasting peace. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts aim to address the grievances and prevent further military engagements.