Intense Azeri-Armenian fighting draws world powers
Tanks, air strikes, and artillery:
The intense fighting that has erupted between the militaries of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the caucuses killed at least another 21 people on Monday (September 28), the second day of the conflict, and is pulling at major regional powers such as Turkey and Russia.
Turkey - which is close in proximity to both states - says it will support its traditional ally - the Muslim majority Azerbaijan.
Russia though, which has a defense alliance with Armenia - a Christian majority country - is calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The fighting centers on the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh - an area within Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians.
Turkish President Erdogan.
"Once again, I condemn Armenia, which attacked Azerbaijan's lands yesterday. Turkey will continue to stand with the friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan with all its resources and heart."
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on the international community to stop Turkey entering the conflict.
The country's ambassador to Russia even claimed Turkey had sent 4,000 fighters from Syria to the region, which Azerbaijan denied.
Numerous other world powers are calling for restraint including the U.S. and China. The South Caucasus region is an important corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets.
This footage from Azerbaijan's military shows some of the fierce conflict, and this from the self-proclaimed army of the breakaway region reportedly shows a burnt out Azeri tank.
The region of Nagorno-Karabakh has long been a point of tension for both sides for decades.
Under international law it is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but ethnic Armenians who make up most of the population reject Azeri rule.
They have run their own affairs since the area broke away from Azerbaijan in a conflict that flared as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Clashes have broken out sporadically ever since.
