Bullets and accusations exchanged across Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact

At least five members of an Armenian “subversive group” were killed after attacking Azerbaijani troops, the Azerbaijani authorities claimed on Friday. The accusation was strongly denied by the Armenian side.

Armenian reconnaissance forces attempted to attack Azerbaijani positions on various parts of the line of contact, which forced the Azerbaijanis, who suffered no losses, to respond with force, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Tensions have increased along the line of contact over the past year, with many exchanges of fire reported, as well as several casualties, some of them civilian.

Trend news agency reported the Azerbaijan defence ministry as saying seven Armenians were "neutralised" in the fighting, while RFE/RL said five Armenian soldiers were killed.

However the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities firmly denied these allegations, which they called a “propaganda gimmick”.

Karabakh defence forces acknowledged that the situation along the line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan escalated on the night of February 11-12. Azerbaijan fired over 4,500 shots from a variety of weapons in breach of the ceasefire, thus Armenian forces in Karabakh were forced to retaliate, they said.

It has also been claimed that an Armenian civilian was shot dead by a bullet fired from the Azerbijani side. 

We express confidently that Azerbaijani side has no relation to death of a shepherd named Akop Ambarsumyan,” the Azerbaijani defence ministry said.

Sources: commonspace.eu and agencies

Photo: Members of the Azerbaijani Special Forces, during a military parade in Baku 2011.

 

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
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas ends visit to Yerevan aimed at strengthening partnership with Armenia

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas ends visit to Yerevan aimed at strengthening partnership with Armenia

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has ended her official visit to Armenia after signing a partnership agreement with authorities in Yerevan. Following talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, a joint press conference was held in which the media was briefed about an agreement outlining Armenia’s participation in the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy crisis management operations. According to Kallas, the document envisions Armenia’s participation in EU missions around the world.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas ends visit to Yerevan aimed at strengthening partnership with Armenia

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas ends visit to Yerevan aimed at strengthening partnership with Armenia

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has ended her official visit to Armenia after signing a partnership agreement with authorities in Yerevan. Following talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, a joint press conference was held in which the media was briefed about an agreement outlining Armenia’s participation in the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy crisis management operations. According to Kallas, the document envisions Armenia’s participation in EU missions around the world.