Azerbaijani Claims of Positional Advancement Refuted by Ministry of Defense

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has denied Azerbaijani claims that Armenian forces attempted to advance their positions along the line of contact in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on March 8, 2023, that Armenian forces had opened fire on Azerbaijani positions in the Fizuli and Jabrayil districts of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani side also claimed that Armenian forces had attempted to advance their positions in the area.

The Armenian Defense Ministry responded by saying that the Azerbaijani claims were “baseless” and that Armenian forces had not initiated any hostilities. The Armenian side also said that Azerbaijani forces had fired on Armenian positions in the same area.

The incident comes amid a recent escalation of tensions along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh. In recent weeks, there have been several reports of ceasefire violations by both sides.

The line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh is a heavily militarized zone that has been the site of sporadic violence since the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994. The war left the region under the control of Armenian forces, but Azerbaijan has never recognized Armenian sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The recent escalation of tensions along the line of contact has raised concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict. However, both sides have said that they are committed to the ceasefire agreement and that they do not want to see a return to war.

What are the implications of the incident?

The incident is a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The escalation of tensions could have a negative impact on the fragile ceasefire agreement that has been in place since 1994.

What can be done to prevent future incidents?

Both sides need to take steps to de-escalate tensions and to ensure that the ceasefire agreement is respected. This could involve increasing dialogue and cooperation between the two sides, as well as taking steps to reduce the number of troops and weapons deployed along the line of contact.

By taking these steps, both sides can help to prevent future incidents and to maintain peace in the region.