Azeris use mortar fire to shell Artsakh territory on night of Dec 12December 12, 2014 - 12:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Unprecedented ceasefire violations on Azeri side were reported on the night of December 12 at the line of contact with Karbakh armed forces, with mortar fire used to shell the Artsakh territory, Armenian media reports. No losses on Armenian side were reported, with return fire on Armenian side leaving several dead on Azeri side. The NKR presidential spokesman David Babayan confirmed reports of increased ceasefire over the night. According to the NKR defense army press service, 204 instances of violations were registered, with over 220 shots (including 24 from mortars) fired. Defense Ministry spokesperson reported increased instances of ceasefire violations by Azeris on the night of December 11 at the border with Armenia, Tert.am said. 200 shots were fired against the usual amount of 30-40. According to Artsrun Hovhannisyan, the Armenian side returned fire only in case of necessity. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |