On 27 September, fighting erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed region known as Artsakh to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.
Each side accused the other of commencing hostilities (ref. 1). Armenia said, it started when Azerbaijan launched an air and artillery attack against the civilian settlement of Stepanakert. Azerbaijan said, it started when Armenia shelled along the entire front line, a heavily mined no-man’s land.
In Stepanakert, there are reports of civilian casualties. A woman and child have been killed, and dozens have been injured. One video footage shows an apartment block with gaping holes as a result of the shelling (ref. 2).
So far, Azerbaijan has lost 3 drones, 2 helicopters, 3 tanks and 11 fighting vehicles; and Armenia has lost 16 soldiers (ref. 1).
To prepare for a large scale war, Armenia has just announced a general mobilisation and called up reserves.
It is noteworthy that, already, Turkey has sided with Azerbaijan, which is Muslim (ref. 3); and Cyprus has sided with Armenia, which is Christian (ref. 4).
Prophetically, Turkey will align with “the king of the north”, also known as the fourth beast; and literally, “Chittim” is Cyprus.
At the time appointed he [the Assyrian] shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim [Cyprus] shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant…
Daniel 11:29-30
A few days ago, an investigative reporter Lindsey Snell tweeted evidence that Turkey has been flying to Azerbaijan hardened Islamic militants from Syria and Libya, mercenaries of the so-called Free Syrian Army (ref. 5). Turkey has been offering these jihadists $600 per month to fight for Azerbaijan and against Armenia. According to Azerbaijan, Lindsey Snell’s report is fake. Lindsey Snell’s report, which cites a source from within the Hamza Division of the Free Syrian Army, has been confirmed separately by Kevork Almassian, a Syrian born Armenian who has talked to Syrian jihadists (ref. 5).
Another thing to be said about this conflict between Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan is that “Ararat” in Jeremiah 51 is Armenia.
Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.
Jeremiah 51:27-28
Though Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah’s Ark (ref. Genesis 8:4) is today within the boundaries of Turkey, it is nonetheless a mountain sacred to Armenians. Mount Ararat is even depicted on the coat of arms of Armenia, along with Noah’s Ark.
Prophetically, Armenia will align with Russia. Russia and Armenia are two of “the kings of the Medes” mentioned in Jeremiah 51.
Besides that, at the time of the end, there are to be wars and rumours of wars – wars that involve both nations and kingdoms (ref. Matthew 24:6-7, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:9-10).
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13:7-8
The disputed region Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, is a realm or “kingdom” of sorts enveloped by the “nation” of Azerbaijan. This is not quite the same as the situation of China and Taiwan, which are two realms or kingdoms (basileia) of one nation (ethnos). Still, this war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is strictly a war of nations and kingdoms.
References:
1. Sputnik News (27 September 2020), “Mobilisation and Martial Law Declared as Clashes Increase Tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh”, sputniknews.com
2. Russia Today (27 September 2020), “As Azeri-Armenian conflict intensifies, woman & child killed & dozens of civilians injured in shelling – Nagorno-Karabakh official”, rt.com
3. The Frontier Post (27 September 2020), “‘Azerbaijan is not alone’: Ankara throws weight behind Baku as fighting rages on over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region”, thefrontierpost.com
4. Greek City Times (27 September 2020), “Cyprus does not shy away from condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh”, greekcitytimes.com
5. Greek City Times (24 September 2020), “Reports Turkey is transferring Syrian militants to Azerbaijan as hostilities against Armenia increases”, greekcitytimes.com