Azerbaijan and Armenia Exchange Accusations of Border Shelling
Violent clashes erupted along the presumed border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, resulting in casualties.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry alleged that on February 12, a soldier from Azerbaijan’s State Border Service was wounded due to what they termed a “military provocation” by the Armenian Armed Forces.
In response, on February 13, Azerbaijani State Border Service units launched a retaliatory operation. According to the ministry, this operation led to the destruction of an Armenian armed forces outpost near the village of Nerkin-And in the Gafan region, where Azerbaijani military personnel had reportedly come under fire the previous day.
The State Border Service warned of “more serious and decisive measures” in response to any further provocations.
Earlier, on February 12, units of the Armenian armed forces allegedly opened fire twice from positions near the settlement of Chinarly, Tovuz district, towards Azerbaijani army positions near the settlement of Kokhanabi, Tovuz region.
Armenia, on February 13, reported two killed and several wounded servicemen due to shelling from the Azerbaijani side. Ambassador at Large of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Edmon Marukyan, condemned Azerbaijan’s actions as “unprovoked illegal aggression” against Armenia.
Meanwhile, the Armenian Ministry of Defense stated that as of 08:30 Moscow time on February 13, Azerbaijani fire towards Armenian combat positions in the Nerkin-Khanda area of the Syunik region had ceased.
Previously, on February 11, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s interview with The Telegraph, dismissing it as “unfounded claims” and urging Armenia to demonstrate commitment to peace through actions rather than words.
It’s worth recalling that on September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated “local anti-terrorist measures” in Karabakh to “restore constitutional order.” This led to the withdrawal and disarmament of Armenian military forces in Karabakh and triggered a significant refugee influx from Karabakh to Armenia, with negotiations ongoing for the region’s reintegration.
