These Photos Are Not Related to the Recent Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes
The Claim
These photos depict the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes.
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Emerging story
Three photos purportedly showing recent fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been posted online by social media users and news agencies.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the photos circulating and found them misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar discovered that the photos circulating were outdated.
Old Photos of Armenian and Azerbaijani Soldiers
The first image making the rounds depicts Azerbaijani soldiers being called back to duty to attend training at a military training and deployment facility close to the Azerbaijani city of Ganja. The image was taken on October 23, 2020, by Umit Bektas for Reuters.
The second viral image shows an Armenian soldier firing artillery on the front lines of the conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over Nagorno-Karabakh. The photo was taken by Aris Messinis on October 25, 2020, for the AFP agency.
The third outdated photograph depicts Azerbaijani soldiers at their position in the Tartar region of Azerbaijan. This photo was taken by Resul Rehimov on April 6, 2016, for Anadolu Agency.
Armenia-Azerbaijan Recent Clashes
Over 100 soldiers were killed in border fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as attacks on both sides fueled fears of wider hostilities between the longtime adversaries.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said 49 of his country's soldiers were killed in overnight clashes, while Azerbaijan's defense ministry said 50 of its soldiers were killed as well.
The fighting began shortly after midnight, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry, with Azerbaijani forces unleashing an artillery barrage and drone attacks in several areas of Armenian territory. According to the foreign ministry of Azerbaijan, late on Monday and early on Tuesday, Armenia "large-scale provocated" Azerbaijan.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region has long been a source of contention between the two countries. Since the end of a separatist war in the region in 1994, it has been governed by ethnic Armenian forces with Armenia's support.
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