Azerbaijan and Armenia sign a fourth ceasefire. Turkey and Russia vow to make sure it sticks

For the fourth time since fighting between both countries erupted just well over a month ago, Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a ceasefire, brokered by Russia, to stop further escalations over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as Azerbaijan's but controlled by Armenian ethnic groups.

Service members of the Russian peacekeeping troops stand next to a tank near the border with Armenia [Francesco Brembati/Reuters]

All past three ceasefires, brokered by the U.S and Russia, were quick to fall just days after the agreement. But the difference this time is that both Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to allow Turkish and Russian peacekeeping forces to oversee the disputed region.

“I hope these last steps we have taken will ensure long-term peace for the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

People drive in a pick-up truck as they take part in celebrations in a street following the signing of a deal to end the military conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in Baku, Azerbaijan November 10, 2020 [Stringer/Reuters]

The news of the agreement was met with jubilation and a feeling of triumph in Azerbaijan. Thousands gathered in the Azerbaijani capital chanting cries of victory over a war that has been raging for over three decades.

During the six weeks of fighting, Azerbaijani forces re-captured the city of Baku along with other Azerbaijani territories held by Armenia since it took over the region in 1994.

Turkey, a vocal ally of Azerbaijan, congratulated its neighbour for achieving what it described was "sacred success on the battleground."

Armenian protesters chant "we won't give up our land" after storming parliament

Meanwhile in Armenia, the news of a newly brokered ceasefire sparked country-wide protests and even led to a raid on parliament by angry Armenian demonstrators. A heavily armed police platoon had to re-capture the building.

“This cannot be a unilateral decision from the government without the will of the people. There needs to be a referendum,” Robert, who did not want to give his last name, a 22-year-old Armenian American student, said.

Iran and France have welcomed the ceasefire and the idea of having peacekeeping forces on the ground to monitoring the situation.

France took an extra step in its congratulatory message and urged Turkey to "put an end to its provocations” and “do nothing to compromise the possibility of a lasting agreement being negotiated between the parties.”

In total about 1,960 Russian peacekeepers will be stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh for at least five years. It's not yet clear how many troops Turkey will be sending to the region.

By: Niza Nondo