Azeris fire 1,700 shots at Karabakh positions on night of March 26

March 26, 2015 - 11:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 140 instances of ceasefire violation by Azerbaijani troops were reported at the line of contact with the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) armed forces on the night of March 26.

Azerbaijan fired over 1,700 shots from various caliber weapons, including 60-, 82- and 120-mm mortars, type RPG-7 and AGS-17 grenade launchers towards the Artsakh positions.

According to the Artsakh Defense Ministry press service, the rival’s activity was suppressed due to rapid actions initiated by the Karabakh frontline units, who at present continue controlling the situation.

Major-General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan (Comandos) warned of large-scale provocations, commenting on the latest border incidents, Tert.am reports.

“With Armenia marking the Genocide centennial this year, Turkey’s working in three directions: culture, propaganda and diplomacy, as Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said,” he noted.

According to him, Turkey has left “the military component” to Azerbaijan, the fact being the reason for growing tensions this year.

“No war will break out, but we should expect large-scale provocations in all the sectors. And civilians will be targeted as well,” Ter-Tadevosyan said.

He believes that Turkey will stop its provocations by late April. “Azerbaijan cannot succeed,” he noted.

Asked about possible losses should large-scale hostilities break out, Tadevosyan said: “Given the arsenal at both the sides’ disposal, both are expected to suffer serious human losses. Geographically, however, 100 missiles launched in Artsakh’s direction will be less effective than ten missiles launched in the direction of Azerbaijan.”

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.