President of Armenia says Caucasus region may become “another Syria”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Armenian President warned the international community Wednesday that Caucasus, a region disputed by former Soviet republics Armenia and Azerbaijan, may become “another Syria,” CNBC reported Wednesday. President Armen Sarkissian gave the warning after fighting broke between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus on Sunday.

Located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus enclave provides transit routes for oil and gas to reach markets around the world. Although the region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, it declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 and has been under de facto ethnic Armenian rule since the early 1990s.

During an interview with CNBC news anchor Hadley Gamble on Wednesday, Sarkissian urged: “The international community has to realize that if you don’t interfere now, then Caucasus will become another huge problem.” Sarkissian then posed the question: “Imagine Caucasus becoming another Syria?” As the fighting entered its fourth day on Wednesday, Sarkissian said 100 people had been killed so far. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan declared martial law on Sunday, CNBC said.

Also on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “extremely concerned by the warlike messages” that were coming from Turkey, a staunch ally of Azerbaijan, BBC News reported Thursday.

Turkey has stated it is “fully ready” to support Azerbaijan to reclaim the enclave, BBC News reports.

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