Armenia continues to commit 'war crimes': FM Çavuşoğlu

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

Armenia continues to commit “war crimes” in Azerbaijan, killing civilians there, including children, Turkey's top diplomat said on Oct. 17. 

"Silence in face of savagery means complicity in murder. Those who do not claim their share of humanity will be held accountable for their crimes," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Twitter.

He also reiterated that Turkey will always stand with Azerbaijan.

Earlier Saturday, at least 13 civilians were killed, including two children, and more than 40 others injured, when the Armenian army struck Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, with missile attacks, officials said.

It was Armenia’s second deadly attack in less than a week on Ganja, an area far from the front line with a population of half a million people.

More than 20 houses were destroyed, according to preliminary reports.

Since new clashes erupted between the two countries on Sept. 27, Armenia has continued its attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces.

Before last night’s attack, Azerbaijani officials said Armenian attacks had killed at least 47 civilians and injured 222.

'History won't forgive those silent on Armenia's war crimes'

History will never forgive those who remain silent over Armenia’s brutality and war crimes against Azerbaijani civilians, Turkey’s defense minister said on Oct. 17. 

Hulusi Akar strongly condemned Armenia’s actions and reiterated Turkey’s support for Baku in a phone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov.

“Those who call for cease-fire and negotiations are now watching from afar as Armenia continues to commit war crimes,” Akar said.

Slamming Armenia’s missile attack on Azerbaijani civilians in the city of Ganja, he said: “Armenia again massacred our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters, including children, women and elderly.”

“Those who order the attacks on civilians with ballistic missiles will definitely be held accountable, and history will never forgive those who remain silent over this brutality.”

Akar and Hasanov also discussed Azerbaijan’s ongoing operations to liberate its occupied territories, a Defense Ministry statement said.

“We will continue to stand by our Azerbaijani Turkic brothers and sisters in the struggle to preserve their territorial integrity and regain their territories, and to support them with all our means in their just cause,” Akar said.

The minister congratulated Azerbaijan on the liberation of Fuzuli city and the downing of “two [Armenian] SU-25 fighter jets.”

Akar wished Allah’s mercy for the Azerbaijanis martyred in Armenian attacks and prayed for the fast recovery of the wounded, the statement said.

The Turkish Defense Ministry also slammed Armenia’s “cowardly” actions in a series of tweets.

“Armenia, having run away from the Heroic Army of Azerbaijan on the front line, once again hit civilian settlements in Ganja with missiles in cowardly fashion. Brotherly Azerbaijan is responding to this heinous act, on the front lines,” the ministry said.

It said the Armenian army is “in great despair” and committing a “new crime against humanity” every day.

“Those who remain silent to such massacres will take their place in the tainted pages of history. We wish Allah’s mercy upon our martyrs and swift recovery to our injured brothers and sisters,” read the tweet.

Turkey slams Greek support for Armenian occupation

Meanwhile, Turkey on Oct. 17 slammed Greece for standing with the occupying country, Armenia, in the current conflict in the region with Azerbaijan.

This stance is further proof of “Greece’s choice for a policy of tension and escalation in its relations with Turkey, rather than good neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation,” said Hani Aksoy, Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a statement.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias “needs to differentiate between the occupier and the victim in Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Aksoy, referring to the conflict around Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory belonging to
Azerbaijan.

Aksoy urged Greece to condemn the illegal Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories and support the UN Security Council resolutions that urge Armenia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw.

Greece’s current position is part of its pattern of being “the creator of the problems or the supporter of the creators of the problems,” he said.