Commonwealth Troops on Alert as Azerbaijani Fighting Nears Turkey
Commonwealth troops went on alert Thursday after fighting erupted between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in an enclave bordering Turkey. At least 20 people were reported killed and 100 wounded in the latest escalation of the 4-year-old war.
Iran also agreed Thursday to send observers to help end border fighting between Armenians and Azerbaijanis.
The outbreak of fighting in Nakhichevan follows Armenian victories this week in the bloodiest conflict in the former Soviet lands: the battle for control of Nagorno-Karabakh. The region within Azerbaijan is populated mainly by Armenians who want independence or alliance with Armenia.
Nakhichevan has a seven-mile border with Turkey.
The Popular Front of Azerbaijan said 20 people were killed and about 100 wounded in enclave fighting Thursday morning and afternoon, according to the Nezavisimaya Gazeta news service.
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