Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Armenia’s military provocations on the frontline continue to escalate the tense situation that has prevailed on the contact line of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops in recent days.

The Azerbaijani armed forces have halted a new attempt of an attack by the Armenian military.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry reported that the Azerbaijani armed forces prevented an attempt by Armenian reconnaissance-raiding groups to cross the contact line at several locations.

“The units of the Azerbaijani armed forces showed vigilance to uncover and prevent the sabotage,” the ministry said in a statement released on September 7.

The ministry noted that after the Azerbaijani side’s opening fire, the Armenian group was forced to drop their weapons and retreat.

Two Armenian servicemen were killed and several wounded in the incident, according to preliminary reports.

The Azerbaijani armed forces suffered no losses, the ministry said.

The situation on the contact line of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops remains tense despite a ceasefire agreement that the sides signed in 1994.

The Armenian armed force has recently intensified ceasefire breaches. The defense ministry reported that throughout the last week, the Armenian armed forces units violated the ceasefire at various locations a total of 834 times.

"Assessing the operational situation, Azerbaijan`s armed forces stopped all attempts of the enemy and inflicted blows on 1017 points, positions and trenches of Armenians,” the ministry said.

Seven Armenian soldiers have been killed and many were wounded as a result of the worthy response, according to the ministry.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry noted that country’s army fully controls the situation on the frontline.

Frequent ceasefire violations aggravate the situation by the Armenian military, leaving the Azerbaijani Army no choice but to retaliate.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Since the war, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

Armenia continues the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of armed forces.

Peace talks brokered by mediators from Russia, France, and the U.S. have yet to produce any results.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz