The Russian news agency Interfax reports that 4,000 mercenaries from northern Syria have been sent by Turkey to Azerbaijan, according to the Armenian ambassador Vardan Toganyan. According to Ria agency, the ambassador declared that the fighters were deployed in the clashes area in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan rejected the accusations.

 

The president of Nagorno-Karabakh has taken a clear position on the conflict and said: "It is not Azerbaijan but Turkey that is fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.” The statement speaks of the use of Turkish helicopters and F-16 jets as well as mercenaries from "different states".

 

The data on the number of fatalities in the conflicts so far vary widely. According to Azerbaijani information, 550 Armenian soldiers are said to have been killed so far. The Armenian side claims to have killed 200 Azerbaijani soldiers. The numbers cannot be verified.

 

The Armenian Press Agency quoted Armenian MP Vahagen Tevosyan as saying that the mercenaries are trying to even impose Islamic law on the Azerbaijani population.

 

"The Azerbaijani villagers complain that the mercenaries are trying to impose Islamic law on their homes, looting stores, they also prevent women from going out without a veil" Hijab", people are being robbed in the streets and so on," Tevosyan added.

 

AZERBAIJAN REFUSES THE CLAIMS

 

Azerbaijan Vice President Hikmet hajiyev refused the claims that Turkey sent Salafi militants to Azerbaijan and accused Armenia of provocation.

 

Azerbaijan Defense Minister also claimed that the people coming from Syria and Middle East, are fighting for Armenia.  Authorities did not give details about the issue.