Armenia will use its entire military-political toolkit in accordance with international law in order to respond to Azerbaijan's use of force against its territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, July 28, hours after Azerbaijan launched an offensive in Gegharkunik province.

On July 28, at around 3:40 am, the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces, which had infiltrated the sovereign territory of Armenia since May 12, attacked the Armenian positions located in the north-eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, triggering local battles. Three Armenian troops were killed, two others were wounded in the process.

"It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani side has been deliberately escalating the situation amid the illegal presence of its armed forces on the sovereign territory of Armenia, while the Azerbaijani leadership substantiates such actions by making territorial-historical claims to Armenia," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"In response to the use of force by Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia, the Republic of Armenia will use all its military-political tools in accordance with international law."

The Foreign Ministry condemned Azerbaijan's actions which it said undermines regional peace and security.

"The military-political leadership of Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the further escalation of the situation," the statement added.