Azerbaijani troops attacked Armenian positions but thrown back- ministry
YEREVAN, December 10. /ARKA/. The Armenian Defense Ministry reported today that at approximately 12:00, December 10, Azerbaijani armed forces attacked Armenian combat positions located in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
But after the retaliatory measures of the Armenian side the Azerbaijani troops having suffered losses in the manpower were thrown back to their initial positions.
'At the moment the exchange of fire continues," the ministry said, promising to periodically report on the situation.
The day before, two Armenian servicemen were wounded as a result of the exchange of fire with the Azerbaijani forces.
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-
