2000 ceasefire violations by Azeris reported on night of Jan 16

January 16, 2015 - 16:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 220 instances of ceasefire violation by Azeri armed forces were posted on the night of Jan 16 at the line of contact with the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) armed forces.

Azerbaijan fired over 2000 shots from various caliber weapons, towards the positions of Karabakh defense army, which observed the ceasefire and retaliated only in case of necessity.

On January 16, the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic President Bako Sahakyan partook in a meeting of the Defense Army's Military Council summarizing the activities in 2014 and the 2015action plan.

In his speech the President touched upon the process of army building, emphasized the achievements and existing problems, stressing that the tasks of the Defense Army have always been among the most significant and pivotal directions for Karabakh.

Dwelling on the 2015 action plan, the President stressed that this year’s political agenda is full of important nationwide and state events requiring extra alertness and preparation, especially so in the light of Azerbaijani attempts to destabilize the situation.

As the President emphasized in that context, the aggressor should always be aware that Artsakh will retaliate to any encroachment against its independence, security and dignity.

The karabakh leader gave specific instructions to the defense minister and the supreme command staff of the Defense Army to solve the existing problems on a proper level.

Defense minister of the Republic of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan and other officials partook in the consultation.

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.