The bombardment of civilian areas must be seen as a purely terroristic act Irish historian

Politics 11:45 30.10.2020

Since the flare-up of military clashes on 27 September between Armenian and Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Karabakh, despite three agreements on humanitarian ceasefire brokered by Russia, France and the United States, Armenian side has been carrying on striking the residential settlements with missiles in the cities of Azerbaijan. Ignoring International Law and Geneva Conventions, Armenian army has launched ballistic and cluster missiles at the densely populated areas far from the conflict zone.

On 27-28 October, the city of Barda came under the missile attack by Armenian Armed Forces, which caused 26 civilians killed and over 80 people wounded. Everyone is in shock throughout Azerbaijan over the acts of terror making women and children victims.

Irish historian Patrick Walsh in his comments to Eurasia Diary portal condemned Armenian brutal attacks against the innocent civilians living in the areas far from Karabakh combat zone.

According to the Irish historian, striking the civilian settlements is against established rules of warfare.

 “Most certainly the bombardment of civilian areas, outside of the combat zone, must be seen as a purely terroristic act. War is a terrible thing and its results and effects must be limited as much as possible by rules and the engagement of the international community,” said Walsh.

 Touching upon Azerbaijan’s retaliatory attacks, in accordance with the 51 article of UN Charter reflecting self-defence, to military positions in Armenia targeting Azerbaijan, Walsh noted that a number of reasons would make Azerbaijan’s response unwise.

“I am sure there is justified anger in Azerbaijan over these horrendous events, however, for a number of reasons such a course would be unwise. In war it is always important to occupy the high moral ground. It makes a nation’s case stronger within the international community,” Walsh stressed.

“Any attack by Azerbaijan on purely civilian targets would result in an argument that both sides are as bad as each other. Azerbaijanis may believe, quite rightly, that they are being treated unfairly in the media, and objective observers are concluding that while one side fights on the battlefield and the other attacks vulnerable civilians. Think of what happened at Khojaly and how it is still firmly in the consciousness and causes such bitterness,” he added.

In addition, Walsh considered that any attack on Armenia would risk the intervention of Russia, which is exactly what Pashinyan wants to save his army.

“At the moment Azerbaijan wins in a fair fight on the battlefield. It has to be kept like that,” he noted.

 Furthermore, Irish historian expressed his opinion on the importance of imposing sanctions on Armenia over its aggression against its neighbour.

“Of course sanctions would be ideal if the world was a fair place and international law was actually of real significance. But we know that international law, unfortunately, has to be backed by the  armed force to be effective. So there is little prospect of it,” he said.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Israeli army says 5 soldiers killed, 14 injured in northern Gaza
11:45 08.07.2025
Brazil’s president sounds alarm over multilateralism crisis, condemns Gaza genocide at BRICS summit
11:30 08.07.2025
Protest Held in London Backing Pro-Palestine March Organizers Accused of Offences
11:15 08.07.2025
Japan to make diplomatic efforts to ensure implementation of Israel-Iran ceasefire: Top diplomat
11:00 08.07.2025
Trump Holds Talks with Netanyahu at the White House
10:45 08.07.2025
Trump says US has 'scheduled Iran talks'
10:30 08.07.2025
Trump says US will supply weapons to Ukraine
10:15 08.07.2025
Priorities of Azerbaijan's international development policy discussed
10:00 08.07.2025
US to impose 25% duties on imports from Kazakhstan from August
09:45 08.07.2025
Plans for border delimitation, demarcation with Armenia discussed in Baku
09:30 08.07.2025
Israel wants to coordinate with US on possibility of new strikes on Iran
09:15 08.07.2025
Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
09:00 08.07.2025
Geno rejects signing of 38-year-old Jamie Vardy
21:00 07.07.2025
Gaza death toll passes 57,500 as Israeli attacks continue unabated
20:45 07.07.2025
Russian emergencies minister arrives in Baku
20:25 07.07.2025
Trump due to meet Netanyahu at White House
20:15 07.07.2025
Russia attacks recruitment centers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
20:00 07.07.2025
Pezeshkian says Israel attempted assassination against him
19:45 07.07.2025
Iran has military capability to strike Israel daily for 2 years, IRGC adviser says
19:20 07.07.2025
US envoy says ‘satisfied’ with Lebanese response on roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
19:00 07.07.2025
Peskov: Russia, Azerbaijan should remain close partners, allies
18:45 07.07.2025
The Gulf Observer: Armenians' destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage - vandalism against all humanity
18:30 07.07.2025
Official: Nearly 1M foreigners arrived in Azerbaijan in 5 months of 2025
18:15 07.07.2025
Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan Army visits Saudi Arabia
18:00 07.07.2025
Israeli PM approved Yemen airstrikes during his flight to US
17:45 07.07.2025
Expert: ECO Summit in Khankendi confirmed member countries' desire for inclusive, multipolar world
17:30 07.07.2025
AZAL introduces new online service
17:15 07.07.2025
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
17:00 07.07.2025
Saudi Arabia raises August oil prices for Asia, Europe buyers
16:45 07.07.2025
EU Reporter: Karabakh region became platform for int'l forums
16:15 07.07.2025
Georgian PM says direct foreign interference in democratic elections failed
16:00 07.07.2025
Typhoon Danas kills two in Taiwan, injures over 500
15:45 07.07.2025
'Coalition of the Willing' may fall apart over Starmer-Macron conflict
15:30 07.07.2025
Former Adjara head hospitalized with gunshot wound in Georgia
15:15 07.07.2025
Scientists reveal how caffeine slows down aging
15:00 07.07.2025
Thailand to offer US more trade concessions to avert 36% tariff
14:45 07.07.2025
Putin dismisses transport minister
14:30 07.07.2025
Israel carries out strikes on Houthi-controlled power station, ports across Yemen
14:15 07.07.2025
UK to name Iran as one of its biggest threats
14:00 07.07.2025
Armenia rejects possibility of using country's territory for military purposes
13:45 07.07.2025
Hamısı