Armenian and Azerbaijani Sides again Accuse Each Other of Violating Border

| News, Armenia, Azerbaijan

On September 21, around 20:00 local time, the subdivisions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire on the Armenian positions located in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border using mortars and large-caliber rifle weapons, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported. "Retaliatory actions stopped the enemy's fire," it added. "There is one wounded from the Armenian side. As of 21:30, the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is stable; there is no shelling," the information stated.

On September 22, at about 02:00, Armenian armed forces units attempted to commit another provocation in the direction of the Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan reported. "The opposing side used large-caliber weapons, grenade launchers, and mortars subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army Units stationed in the Kalbajar direction. The Armenian armed forces’ sabotage group attempted to assault the Azerbaijan Army Units by mining ravine gaps in these areas. As a result of the retaliatory measures taken by the units of the Azerbaijan Army, the opposing side was forced to retreat. It should be noted that the Armenian side, by disseminating disinformation about the fire allegedly opened by the Azerbaijan Army Units on September 21, attempted to pave the way for the provocation committed at night. We declare that the Armenian military-political leadership is responsible for the subsequent escalation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border," the report added.

On September 23, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported: "Starting from 23:45 on September 22, to 08:30 on September 23, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the directions of the Chinarli settlement of the Tovuzgala region and Yukhari Shorzha, Gunashli, and Zarkand settlements of the Basarkechar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border using various caliber weapons periodically subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions, stationed in the directions of Kokhanebi settlement of the Tovuz region, Keshdak and Barmagbina settlements of the Kalbajar region, and Tazakend settlement of the Dashkasan region."

On September 23, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry, around 07:40, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces again violated the ceasefire regime, opening fire from rifle weapons of different calibers in the direction of the Armenian combat positions located in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. "The enemy's fire was stopped by retaliatory actions. There are no losses on the Armenian side," the report stated. "As of 18:00, on September 23, no change in the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone has been recorded," it added.

On September 24, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that on September 23, starting from 19:30 to 23:40, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the directions of the Yukhari Shorzha settlement of the Basarkechar region and the Jermuk settlement using various caliber weapons periodically subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions, stationed in the directions of the Istisu and Zaylik settlements of the Kalbajar region. "Servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army, Amanullayev Rashad Aghajan, Rahimzade Ruhid Oktay, and Javadov Ravan Shamsaddin were wounded as a result of the fire. The wounded servicemen immediately received first medical aid. Nothing threatens their lives. The Azerbaijan Army Units stationed in these directions took adequate retaliatory measures. We declare that the entire responsibility for the incident falls on the Armenian military-political leadership that purposefully escalates the situation," the information stated.

On the same day, the Armenian side reported that on September 23, at around 19:30, one of the subdivisions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resorted to provocation, trying to move into the rear of one of the Armenian combat positions located in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone. "Thanks to the skillful actions of the subdivisions of the RA Armed Forces, the enemy was pushed back to the starting positions. There are no losses on the Armenian side. No other incidents occurred during the night. As of 10:00 on September 24, the situation is relatively stable," the report added.

On September 24, a telephone conversation took place between Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Hulusi Akar, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey. "Colonel General Z.Hasanov informed his colleague in detail about the operational situation created after the decisive measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army against the latest provocations committed by the Armenian armed formations, as well as about the work carried out in the field of army development. In his turn, Mr. H.Akar emphasized that today, Turkey, as always, is close to Azerbaijan. During the telephone conversation, the sides also exchanged views on the prospects of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation," the Ministry reported.

On the same day, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that as of 20:30, on September 24, no change in the situation in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone has been recorded. "The situation at the border is relatively stable," it added.

On September 25, the Armenian side reported that as of 10:30 September 25, no change in the situation in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone had been recorded. "The situation at the border is relatively stable," the Ministry added.

See Also

"Caucasus Watch" seeks local specialists from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the North Caucasus region. We offer a flexible format of cooperation, competitive remuneration and access to a European readership. Send CV, cover letter and writing sample to redaktion@caucasuswatch.de. Questions: i.dostalik@caucasuswatch.de

Our website uses cookies. By clicking on "I accept cookies", you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of our Cookie Policy. If you want to disable cookies follow the instructions in our Cookie Policy so that cookies from this website cannot be placed on your device.