Azerbaijani military again fire on Armenian combat positions in Gegharkunik region
YEREVAN, December 9. /ARKA/. Azerbaijani military once again committed provocations on December 9, starting from 4:25 p.m. they opened intensive fire with firearms of various caliber on Armenian combat positions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Gegharkunik region, the press service of Armenian defense ministry reported.
It said the Armenian side resorted to retaliatory actions. As of 5 p.m., the exchange of fire continued, it said.
"The Armenian Defense Ministry will regularly inform about the further developments," it said.
As previously reported, late in the evening on December 8, Azerbaijani troops opened fire on Armenian military positions in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Thanks to retaliatory actions, the enemy's fire was stopped.
Incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border
Groups of Azerbaijani troops illegally crossed the Armenian state border on May 12 and advanced about 3 km into Armenia’s sovereign territory in Gegharkunik and Syunik regions allegedly to "adjust the borders." Part of them pilled back later, but some are still in Armenian sovereign territory.
On May 27, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed that Armenian and Azerbaijani troops withdraw from the border areas to the places of their permanent deployment, suggesting that Russia deploy Russian border guards along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border - from Sotk (Gegharkunik) to Khoznavar (Syunik). After that, according to his plan, it will be possible to begin work on the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
On November 14, on an eastern sector of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Azerbaijani armed forces advanced deep into Armenia's sovereign territory with the help of armored vehicles, surrounding four Armenian combat positions. After negotiations the Azerbaijani troops withdrew from Armenia and the Armenian forces withdrew from the aforementioned four combat positions.
However on November 16 Azerbaijani troops again attacked Armenian positions in the east using small arms, artillery and armored technique. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, the enemy had up to 70 killed and wounded servicemen, as well as considerable losses of military equipment.
The Armenian side has 6 killed. According to unconfirmed information 32 Armenian servicemen were taken prisoner. On the same evening the fire was ceased by an agreement mediated by the Russian side.
Yerevan demands that the international community respond to the aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, which is directed against Armenia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and regional security. -0-
