Azeri aggression fraught with unpredictable consequences: Armenia

April 2, 2016 - 11:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army units have thrown Azerbaijani troops back to their positions, following the rival’s overt offensive operations along the contact line with Karabakh. Combat actions are still underway, the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

In the report, the Ministry confirmed the information on the military operations, initiated by the Azeri forces on the night of April 1-2. During the attacks, the rival used tanks, artillery and aviation trying to break into the depths of Karabakh’s defense and occupy strategic positions.

In the statement, the Armenian Defense Ministry strictly condemned Azerbaijani authorities’ aggressive and irresponsible decision to initiate military actions whose continuation could lead to unpredictable consequences for the Azerbaijani side.

“Azerbaijani authorities bear the whole responsibility for the unprecedented tension along the Nagorno Karabakh contact line,” the Ministry said.

“The Armenian Defense Ministry draws the attention of the international community and especially the OSCE Minsk Group to the escalation and expects immediate targeted intervention to keep the situation under control and avoid large-scale military operations.”

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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.