Event overview

On April 11, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of the Digh settlement of the Gorus region using small arms subjected to intensive fire the Azerbaijan Army's opposing positions stationed in the direction of the Lachin region.

After several minutes, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that at around 4 PM [local time], the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Armenian Armed Forces' servicemen who were carrying out engineering works in the direction of the Tegh community. The Armenian side resorted to retaliatory actions. "According to preliminary information, the Armenian side has losses and wounded," it added.

Later, the two countries' defense ministries reported the cessation of hostilities and stabilization of the situation on the border. So far, four servicemen from the Armenian side were officially reported dead and six wounded, while three from the Azerbaijani side were reported dead.

The tension between France and Azerbaijan

At a press briefing on April 12, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "France expresses deep concern over the violence that took place on April 11 on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, near the settlement of Digh in the territory of Armenia, resulting in the death of 7 people and the wounding of several people on both sides."

The information said that France reminds that the delimitation of the border should be carried out exclusively through negotiations and calls on the parties to continue their efforts in this direction. "Respecting the territorial integrity of Armenia and withdrawing Azerbaijani troops from occupied positions on the Armenian side of the contact line is essential to prevent future incidents and protect the foundations of sustainable peace in the region. France is stationed on the Armenian side of the border, contributing to it and playing a central role in de-escalation. It fully supports the activities of the mission. Along with the European Union, it will continue to work in favor of respect for the ceasefire, dialogue, and negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the information added.

In turn, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. The statement said that the statement of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on April 12 supporting Armenia in connection with the provocation of the Armenian side against the positions of Azerbaijan located in the direction of the Lachin region on April 11 does not reflect reality. "For nearly 25 years, while acting as a mediator in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, France, which did not appreciate Armenia's aggression and occupation policy, did not try to resolve the conflict, and carried out a smear campaign against our country after Azerbaijan ended the occupation and resolved the conflict on its own, has once again demonstrated an unfair position with this statement," Baku stressed.

Ministry emphasized that France did not make a statement about Azerbaijan's territorial integrity when its territories were under occupation and called Armenia's similar statement about territorial integrity an example of prejudice. "We urge the French side to refrain from such statements that incite Armenia to further provocations and support revanchist forces," the statement reads.