Karabakh truce for religious holidays - conflicting reports

A truce, held to mark the religious holidays of Nowruz Bayram and Easter, has been reached between fighting parties in Nagorno-Karabakh, but reports differ on whether it is being observed. 

All three signatories to the agreement – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karbakh – are abiding by the truce, said ArmeniaNow, which today claimed today this is the first cessation of its kind since 1994.

However, other reports today said the fighting is ongoing, with each side blaming the other for violations.

Azerbaijan fired 2,400 shots at Armenian positions, as well as many large shells, the Armenpress news agency reported the Nagorno Karabakh Defence Ministry as saying.

Meanwhile, the Trend news agency said there has been hostility from both sides, with Armenian troops violating the ceasefire 128 times on various parts of the contact line, with Azerbaijani armed forces inflicting 130 strikes on Armenian positions.

Both sides blamed each other of provoking the hostilities.

A ceasefire has been in place since 1994, but over the past few months tempers have flared, with many shots fired across the border from both sides. 

The Nowruz Bayram and Easter period lasts from the end of March until the beginning of April. Long hot summers are traditionally particularly dangerous along the disputed border.

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
Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk for the first time since Moscow claimed to have completely recaptured the region following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last year, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday. Putin met with municipal leaders in the city of Kurchatov and visited the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction, the Kremlin said, according to TASS.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk for the first time since Moscow claimed to have completely recaptured the region following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last year, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday. Putin met with municipal leaders in the city of Kurchatov and visited the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction, the Kremlin said, according to TASS.