Deadly clashes erupt between Armenia, Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have reported new border clashes that left an unknown number of Azerbaijani troops dead. 

The fighting, which broke out early on Tuesday, marks the latest flare-up between the arch foes, who fought a war in 2020 over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Each side blamed the other for the fighting.

In a statement, Armenia’s defence ministry said Azerbaijan launched “intensive shelling” against Armenian military positions in the direction of the cities of Goris, Sok, and Jermuk. Azerbaijani troops used drones, as well as “artillery and large-calibre firearms,” it said.

“Armenia’s armed forces have launched a proportionate response,” it added.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan’s defence ministry accused Armenia of “large-scale subversive acts” near the districts of Dashkesan, Kelbajar and Lachin on the border, adding that its army positions “came under fire, including from trench mortars”. 

“There are losses among [Azerbaijani] servicemen,” it said, without giving figures.

The United States said it was deeply concerned about reports of the attacks.

“As we have long made clear, there can be no military solution to the conflict,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. “We urge an end to any military hostilities immediately.”

There have been frequent reports of fighting along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border since the end of their 2020 war.

Last week, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of killing one of its soldiers in a border attack. 

In August, Azerbaijan said it had lost a soldier, and the Karabakh army said two of its troops had been killed and more than a dozen wounded.

The neighbours have fought two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Armenian-populated enclave in Azerbaijan.

Both countries claimed to have launched proportionate responses against what they saw as provocations from the other side.

Both sides acknowledged troop casualties but did not confirm numbers.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES