Nagorno-Karabakh War. What can we learn from media coverage? part 1

On 27, September 2020 Forbes wrote “Azerbaijani artillery, rockets, drones, and combat aircraft began a series of attacks on Armenian positions in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, just two months after clashes in July left at least seventeen dead.”

While many countries responded immediately to the news calling for a ceasefire, we can learn from Russia Today’s article that “Azerbaijan is not alone”: Turkey throws weight behind Baku against historical nemesis Armenia in the struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh.

On the second day of the war (28, September 2020) Financial Times covers the developing conflict, and writes about how Armenia accuses Turkey of sending mercenaries to the frontline “Armenia claimed that Turkey had provided drones, mercenaries, and F-16 fighter jets to support Azerbaijan in the conflict.” Turkey denied sending mercenaries “Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkey’s ruling party, described the claims that Turkey had dispatched Syrian mercenaries to the region as “lies” and a “provocation” against Turkey”.

Then BBC publishes an interview with a Syrian mercenary in Azerbaijan where the Syrian said that he and other mercenaries were involved in battles with Armenian forces in Karabakh. The Guardian publishes another article with the following headline “Syrian rebel fighters prepare to deploy to Azerbaijan in sign of Turkey’s ambition.”

The Washington Post in its turn writes “Turkey and Russia preside over a new age of mercenary wars.”

While media published the accusations of both sides, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his concerns during the EU summit about Turkey to send Syrian jihadists to fight in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Reuters wrote, “France accuses Turkey of sending Syrian jihadists to Nagorno-Karabakh.” During this time “Two French journalists wounded in Nagorno-Karabakh undergo surgery: officials.”

On 3 October, Reuters writes, “Canada is probing allegations that Azeri forces involved in fighting with Armenia are using Canadian drone technology that was initially exported to Turkey, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.” In the article, you will find out that “Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act forbids the sale of weapons if they could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights laws.”

Media covers, International Organizations call for ceasefire… war continues!

Read also: Nagorno Karabakh War. What can we learn from media coverage? part 2: the risks of a wider war