Azeris fire over 7000 shots at Karabakh positions on night of Jan 28

January 28, 2015 - 16:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 300 instances of ceasefire violation by Azerbaijani troops were reported on the line of contact with the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) armed forces on the night of Jan 28. Azerbaijan fired 7000 shots from various caliber weapons including RPG, SPG and AGS-type mortars and grenade launchers towards the Artsakh positions.

The Karabakh frontline units continue controlling the situation at the frontline, retaliating in case of necessity.

“Armenian forces take every effort to prevent the renewal of a full scale war,” Defense Minister said commenting on the Azeri-triggered frontline escalation.

Seyran Ohanyan said he sees no tendencies for a renewal of hostilities at present. "Preventive measures will be taken. The rival is mistaken believing we'll be remaining passive out of respect for the ceasefire agreement. At any given time we're capable of turning the rival's territory into a hot spot," the official said.

"Azerbaijan seeks to escalate the situation amid the multitude of own internal and foreign policy issues, with no regard for human losses. So if we are to choose between observation of ceasefire and provision of peace, we'll take every effort to achieve the latter."

In conclusion, Ohanyan noted that current situation does not require the CSTO interference, with Armenia capable of controlling the situation.

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.