The artillery shelling of villages in Armenia’s Tavush province resulting in civilian deaths, the use of howitzers for the first time since signing the ceasefire agreement in 1994, the unfounded strikes on infrastructure located at the rear of the frontline and the personnel being trained there represent yet another step towards large-scale military operations, Armenia’s First Deputy Defense Minister said, according to Panorama.am.

“I am deeply convinced that such a strategy will compel Baku to sign a ceasefire agreement on new terms, instead of focusing on issues of maintaining the ceasefire and trust building campaigns,” David Tonoyan said.

Tonoyan commented on President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on Armenia’s commitment to develop appropriate skills for the country’s future participation in the UN peacekeeping operations such as a Role II medical hospital and training of associated personnel, or EOD/C-IED (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Counter-Improvised Explosive Device) soldiers.

According to the Deputy Minister, the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations applied to Armenia requesting for preparation and provision of soldiers and a subdivision with specialized skills and equipment.

“That is why Armenia was among the four dozen states invited to the summit,” Tonoyan said.