Azerbaijani journalists, NGOs representatives visit frontline
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry has organized a visit of representatives of the media and non-government organizations of the country to the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian armed forces.
A group of journalists and representatives of nearly 30 NGOs visited the military bases located in Fizuli- Beylagan regions.
The primary goal of the visit was to monitor closely the situation on the frontline and support the military.
The movement of the Armenian armed forces is under control and all of its provocations are suppressed, according to statements by high-ranking military officials.
The officials added that the army did not face any serious difficulties.
Addressing the Azerbaijani servicemen, the NGO representatives expressed their support for the military, noting that the interaction between civilians and the army is high.
Armenian armed forces aggravated tensions along the frontline by attacking the Azerbaijani positions. Armenia began to escalate tensions on the border areas on July 31. Sporadic fighting has continued ever since. Thirteen Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and several others injured during the clashes between two sides.
Armenian forces retreated after fierce fighting and suffering from heavy losses. Armenia hasn't released yet the exact number of casualties.
One of the senior officers of the Azerbaijani army in Khojavend told Trend news agency that during the last few days, the Armenian armed forces have suffered heavy losses as a result of the successful actions of Azerbaijani servicemen.
He said Armenian armed forces open fire at positions of Azerbaijani Army almost every night, while it is quiet during the day.
"The shelling of Azerbaijani regions has become more intense over the last 7-10 days. They fear that our military can make a surprise attack, therefore frequently shelling Azerbaijani positions" the official said.
He noted that Azerbaijani soldiers are vigilant and on high alert, adding everybody is ready to go into the battle field.
Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor that caused a brutal war in the early 1990s. Long-standing efforts by U.S, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far.