Azerbaijan is apparently backed by Turkey: Karabakh spokesmanApril 2, 2016 - 12:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The situation in Karabakh is tense, the rival violating the ceasefire along the entire line of contact, a spokesperson for the Nagorno Karabakh President said, according to Panorama.am. “Azerbaijani troops have used heavy weaponry, trying to break into the depths of Karabakh’s defense in some places,” Davit Babayan was quoted as saying. “The Armenian troops retaliated, throwing the Azerbaijani troops back and causing the rival major losses.” “We have said on numerous occasions that Azerbaijan is not the sole author of these actions. Apparently, the country is backed by some powers, Turkey, in particular. Such developments are worrisome, given the important meetings to be held in Washington,” the Babayan stressed. “Military operations are currently underway, the Armenian army having taken retaliatory measures and making counterattacks in some areas. Casualties were registered on both sides, but the rival has suffered major equipment and manpower losses. In combat actions,we have the upper hand,” Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan earlier said in a Facebook post. On the night of April 1-2, Azerbaijani armed forces initiated overt offensive operations in the southern, southeastern and northeastern directions of the line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery, armored fighting vehicles and air force equipment among other weapons. Aside from the battles on the frontline, the rival has also carried out artillery strikes on civilian settlements and places of permanent deployment of several military units. On April 2, at around 8:30 am, the rival used BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in the Martuni direction of the contact line. 12-year-old Vaghinak Grigoryan was killed in the shelling, two more children were wounded. Read also:Armenia downs Mi-24/35 Azeri helicopter east to Mount Mrav: official 12-year-old Armenian child killed, two more wounded in Azeri shelling Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |