Armenian armed forces violate ceasefire with Azerbaijan 143 times

Armenian armed forces violated the ceasefire with Azerbaijan 143 times in various directions of the frontline using 60 mm mortar launchers, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on April 22nd, APA reports.

Armenian armed units stationed in the Berkaber, Paravakar villages of Armenia’s Ijevan district, Mosesgekh, Chinari, Aygepar villages of Berd district and on the nameless heights of Krasnoselsk district opened fire at the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces located in the Gizilhajili village of Gazakh district, Kohnegishlag village of Aghstafa district, Aghdam, Alibayli and Kokhanebi villages of Tovuz district and on the nameless heights in the Gadabay district.

 Meanwhile, Armenian army opened fire from positions near the villages of Chilaburt, Goyarkh, Yarimja of the Terter district, Shikhlar, Bash Garvand, Jevahirli, Sarijali, Kangarli, Marzili, Yusifjanli, Garagashli of the Aghdam district, Kuropatkino of the Khojavend district, Garakhanbeyli, Horadiz, Gorgan, Ashagi Seyidahmadli of the Fuzuli district, Mehdili village of the Jabrayil district, as well as on nameless heights in the districts of Goygol, Goranboy, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil.

In consideration of the operational situation, Azerbaijani armed forces carried out 146 strikes on Armenian positions.

Recall, on the night of April 2 all frontier positions of Azerbaijan were exposed to heavy fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, grenade launchers and guns. In addition, Azerbaijani settlements near the front line, densely populated by civilians, were shelled.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US, are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.