July 23 marks 19th anniversary of Agdam (Akna) liberation July 23, 2012 - 15:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The liberation os Shushi in 1992 decreased but didn’t eliminate the threat to the towns of Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijani military-political leadership viewed the air force and heavy artillery as means of intimidating the Armenian population, rather than fulfillment of fire support tasks. After Shushi liberation, Azeri military leadership transported most artillery to Agdam province, with the enemy group posing constant danger to Martakert and Martuni defensive provinces of the NKR. All the surrounding settlements including Stepanakert were shelled from Agdam; Armenian villages of Askeran, Martakert and Martuni provinces were destroyed, with Askeran almost entirely ravaged by Azeri artillery. Hence, seizure of Agdam and suppression of firing points became a vital necessity. On July 23, Artsakh forces launched an offensive on both sides and seized the town, forcing out the Azeris. “The population didn’t want us to defend them. They all fled the town,” an Azeri officer recollected. Agdam liberation ensured Askeran civilians’ security. Moreover, the operation eliminated the threat to systematic shelling of NKR capital, as well as attacks against Askeran and neighboring provinces. In November of 2010, NKR government took a decision to rename the town of Agdam as Akna, which will have a status of a province. Akna which currently has population of 360, may in future regain status of an independent settlement. 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 | Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. Armenia not going to war over Karabakh, says Pashinyan Armenia is not preparing to fight a war for Nagorno Karabakh, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview. |