Clashes erupted between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops on Tuesday, 13 September, in a resumption of decades-old hostilities linked to the disputed territory of Nagorno–Karabakh, reports news agency Reuters.
Azerbaijani statements said Armenian forces had been engaged in intelligence activity on its border, moved weapons into the area, and on Monday, 12 September, night had conducted mining operations. It said its actions were «strictly local in nature aimed at military targets.»
However, Armenia’s Defence Ministry said: «Intensive shooting is continuing – started as a result of a large–scale provocation by the Azerbaijani side. Armenia’s armed forces have launched a proportionate response.»
Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a ceasefire early on Monday, 12 September, to halt a flare-up in hostilities over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, but it fell apart minutes later.
According to Reuters, Armenia said several towns near the border with Azerbaijan, including Jermuk, Goris and Kapan, were shelled in the early hours of Tuesday, 13 September.
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said 49 Armenian service personnel died during overnight clashes with Azerbaijan, the Interfax news agency reported.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Tuesday, 13 September, that Turkey will continue to stand by Azerbaijan and will never leave it alone.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to end fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the role of the Russian Federation, and the role of Putin personally is overestimated, but the president is making every effort to help de–escalate tensions at the border.
The conflict first broke out in the late 1980s when both sides were under Soviet rule and Armenian forces captured swathes of territory near Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been recognised internationally as Azerbaijan’s territory.