The world’s largest youth-political organization, the International Union of Socialist Youth, of which the ARF Youth wing is a member, has issued a special statement strongly condemning the Azeri attack on Artsakh.

In the early morning hours of 27 September, Azerbaijan launched largescale military attacks along the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh)-Azerbaijan line of contact, as well as direct attacks on the civilian populations of Stepanakert and other cities.

Azerbaijan has launched these operations in spite of the 1994 ceasefire agreement between Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan, and in spite of the recent appeal by the United Nation’s Secretary-General for a global ceasefire in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Especially concerning is the fact that, Turkey has brazenly declared its limitless support to Azerbaijan. Turkey which has a long history of human rights violations including oppressions against Kurds, military invasion in Syria, Libya, provocations against Greece and Cyprus continues its belligerence. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have trampled the principles of democracy and destabilized the region for many years and continue to undermine peace and stability in the region.

IUSY strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s latest attack on Artsakh and urges to immediately terminate hostilities, especially towards civilians. History has proven that military action cannot lead to anything constructive, and no side will ever benefit from the full-fledged war.

IUSY also condemns Turkey’s aggressive stance and its continuous reckless steps which have contributed to destabilizing the region.

IUSY believes that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is possible only through de-escalation and negotiation process led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group (OSCE Minsk Group) and its co-chairs, by a negotiation process based on international law and the principles established in the Helsinki Accords of 1975.

IUSY calls upon the international community to urge for de-escalation and stop hostilities immediately.

The IUSY includes more than 143 member organizations from 100 counties. The ARF Youth Wing is a full member.