Caucasus conflict

In the semiautonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, at least 30 soldiers were killed in skirmishes between the Azerbaijani military and Armenian-backed rebels that began on April 3. There also were reports of three civilian deaths. The region, located in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is considered Azerbaijani territory by international treaties but is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians, and its government and borders are operated with support from the Armenian military.

A war over the region from 1991 to 1994 left more than 30,000 people dead, ending with a cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The return of hostilities brought concern that the war may reignite. On April 6, Azerbaijan declared a “unilateral cease-fire,” saying it would halt all attacks except in cases of defense. 

As of press time, except for sporadic gunfire, active conflicts had ceased.