Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Armenia, to the detriment of the peace process to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has initiated the provocation that led to the outbreak of large-scale military operations and resulted in victims among civilians.

Azerbaijan's Permanent Mission to the OSCE made a statement as part of a meeting held in Vienna on April 14.

"To prevent the provocations and to ensure the safety of the civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have taken effective counter-measures,” the statement reads.

Azerbaijan’s Mission further welcomed Russia’s mediation efforts that helped to reach an agreement on restoration of the ceasefire on April 5.

Expressing regret that the Armenian side is taking advantage of the OSCE in order to disseminate false accusations against Azerbaijan, the mission urged the OSCE member countries and the OSCE Minsk Group to persuade Armenia to strictly observe the ceasefire.

“Instead of having to engage in the negotiations, Armenia attempts to regroup its forces,” the representatives of the mission believe. “Continuing occupation of Azerbaijani territories by the Armenian forces is a major source of violence. Events of the early April showed that the lack of substantive negotiations and hope for a fragile ceasefire is an error of judgment.”

Azerbaijan is ready to continue the negotiations towards a political settlement of the conflict, the statement reads.

Armenia launched military attacks against Azerbaijan on April 2.

To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took under control Lele Tepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region.

The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements.

Since April 2, when tensions on the contact line of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops aggravated, Azerbaijani troops have destroyed more than 370 enemy soldiers, 12 tanks, 12 armored vehicles and 15 artillery pieces.

Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on April 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides. However, ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire.

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Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

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