Armenia: Azerbaijani troops open fire then apologize

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani soldiers who have cross the Armenian border and have yet to retreat back to their positions fired several dozen bullets into the air on Thursday, May 20, but had to apologize after the Armenian side fired warning shots, the Defense Ministry reports.

The commander of the Azerbaijani forces contacted the commander of the Armenian unit, asked him to stop shooting and said the shooting was an "accident."

"The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia are warning that the recurrence of such incidents will be considered a deliberate attempt to begin confrontation, leading to corresponding actions from the Armenian side," the Defense Ministry said.

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that there are 500-600 Azerbaijani troops in the territory of Armenia, and that the situation remains tense.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province).