Russia says Armenian separatists surrender arms after Azerbaijan reclaims Nagorno-Karabakh

By AVET DEMOURIAN
Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Russia’s Defense Ministry says that ethnic Armenian separatists in Azerbaijan’s breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are surrendering their arms to Russian peacekeepers. The moves come after Azerbaijan reclaimed control over the region that has for decades been at the center of a conflict with neighboring Armenia. The ministry says the armed groups handed over six armored vehicles, more than 800 small arms units and 5,000 rounds of ammunition. Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched a major military operation against ethnic Armenian positions, demanding that the Armenians lay down arms and that the separatist government disband. A day later, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities agreed to the military demands, but talks on how to reintegrate the region into Azerbaijan are continuing.