Azerbaijani serviceman killed as nation marks anniversary of events in Khojaly.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence said that one of its serviceman was killed when Armenian forces opened fire on Wednesday afternoon. The victim, Shahin Nohbalayev, was a junior sergeant. There was no indication as to where the incident occured. Cease fire violations decreased considerably during the period of the Sochi Olympic Games when both sides agreed to observe an "Olympic truce", but have been increasing again over the last days.

This was the first fatality reported since the end of the Games and it came as Azerbaijan was marking the 22nd anniversary of the events in the town of Khojaly where hundreds of Azerbaijanis, including civilians, were killed at the height of the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan characterises the Khojaly events as a genocide. The anniversary was marked in Azerbaijan with a one minute silence during which all traffic stopped and flags were lowered.

Azerbaijani diplomatic missions and civil society organisations have also marked the anniversary.

On their part Armenians also commemorate at the end of February events in the Azerbaijani town of Sumgait where in 1988, in one of the first major incidents of the conflict, ethnic violence erupted leaving many dead.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies.

photo: Traffic stops in Baku as the nation marked the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly events. (picture courtesy of APA).

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Several countries bordering Russia will leave the Ottawa Convention which bans land mines

Several countries bordering Russia will leave the Ottawa Convention which bans land mines

Several countries that border Russia intend to leave the Ottawa Convention which bans anti personnel land mines. They include EU member states Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Ukraine. Russia has not signed the Ottawa treaty and continues to stockpile and use landmines. Ukraine is withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines, according to Roman Kostenko, People's Deputy of the Golos party and Secretary of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine . He said this is a step that the realities of war have long required. "Russia is not a party to this convention and is massively using mines against our military and civilians. We cannot remain constrained in conditions where the enemy has no restrictions," the MP noted.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Several countries bordering Russia will leave the Ottawa Convention which bans land mines

Several countries bordering Russia will leave the Ottawa Convention which bans land mines

Several countries that border Russia intend to leave the Ottawa Convention which bans anti personnel land mines. They include EU member states Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Ukraine. Russia has not signed the Ottawa treaty and continues to stockpile and use landmines. Ukraine is withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines, according to Roman Kostenko, People's Deputy of the Golos party and Secretary of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine . He said this is a step that the realities of war have long required. "Russia is not a party to this convention and is massively using mines against our military and civilians. We cannot remain constrained in conditions where the enemy has no restrictions," the MP noted.