29 Sep 2020 21:22

Turkish servicemen present in Azerbaijan, directing military actions - Pashinyan

MOSCOW. Sept 29 (Interfax) - Turkish servicemen are present in Azerbaijani territory and directing military actions; Ankara is looking for an excuse to induct troops into Nakhichevan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

"We have information that Turkey is looking for a pretext for a broader engagement in this conflict. According to our information, they're looking for a reason to bring their troops into Nakhichevan," Pashinyan said on the Rossiya 1 television on Tuesday.

"There is information that some units of the Turkish army are present there already," he said.

"Turkish troops have been in Azerbaijan since August, they have begun joint exercises," Pashinyan said.

"This war began as a continuation of that military exercise," he said.

The international community must condemn Azerbaijan's and Turkey's actions, he went on.

"The international community must strongly condemn the aggressive actions and Azerbaijan's aggression, condemn Turkey's actions, demand that Turkey leave the region," Pashinyan said.

Turkey's military presence in the region can trigger further escalation and increase the scale of the war, he said.