US Congressman urges State Department to support Armenian Sovereignty

Adam Schiff, Chairman of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, called on the State Department to show support for Armenian sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Nagorno-Karabakh, News.am reported.

Russia on Wednesday accused Azerbaijan of breaking a ceasefire over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh after three soldiers died in clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that its forces have conducted a military operation against the Nagorno-Karabakh militias that sought to “establish new combat positions” in the region, and claimed that Azerbaijani troops have taken over control of a number of strategic hills.

"I am deeply disturbed by reports of casualties, including two Armenian soldiers, in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh – the result of Azerbaijan’s direct violation of its ceasefire agreement with Armenia," Schiff wrote on his Facebook page.

This was not the first unprovoked attack by Azerbaijan on Armenian forces, he noted and said that unless the United States takes immediate action to hold the Aliyev regime accountable, it will not be the last such incident. 

"It is imperative the State Department use all of its diplomatic channels and levers to reduce tensions and show America’s unwavering support for Armenian sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Artsakh," he said.

The Congressman called for the immediate release of all Armenian POWs, economic aid to Nagorno-Karabakh and a complete ban on U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan, and renewed U.S. participation in the OSCE Minsk Group peace process.