The worst escalation of situation in the post-war period took place this week with the sides trading accusations.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on July 23 accused Armenia of seeking to aggravate the situation in the region by firing on Azerbaijani positions.
The statement comes after an Azerbaijani serviceman was killed in an Armenian sniper fire near Kalbajar region on the border on July 23 at 16:00 (GMT+4). The firefight continued throughout the day on the Kelbajar sector of the border.
The ministry said that Armenia bears all the responsibility for the development of the situation in this way, adding that Azerbaijan retains the right to take all necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity within its international borders.
On the same day, the Armenian Defence Ministry reported downing of the Azerbaijani UAV over the Arazdeyen village of the Vedi region. The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry denied the report as bogus information.
This week saw the worst escalation of tension on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border since the signing of the November 10 trilateral statement that ended the war.
On July 19, the Azerbaijani Defence Minister instructed the army’s command staff to suppress possible provocations of the Armenian armed forces. Analyzing the latest situation in the liberated territories, including on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, the minister stressed that Armenia bears responsibility for the escalation of tension.
Azerbaijan also reported cease-fire violation by Armenia earlier on July 16-17.
