The Azerbaijani armed forces launched an attack on an Armenian military base located in Tavush province on July 12, at around 12:30 using artillery, mortars and UAVs. Over the past two days, Azerbaijan has continued its military operations to escalate the situation, regularly violating the ceasefire.
At the beginning of the Government’s extraordinary meeting of July 13, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan referred to the military incident on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. He noted that the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan will bear all the responsibility for the unpredictable consequences of undermining regional stability.
"We are deeply concerned about Turkey’s attempt to undermine regional stability, which is best illustrated in the official statement of the country’s Foreign Ministry, where the latter unconditionally supports Azerbaijan’s actions, within its explicit and traditional anti-Armenian stance", he said.
The RA Foreign Ministry referred to the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, condemning Turkey's attempts to provoke instability in the region.
"This provocative attitude by Turkey and its groundless accusations against Armenia attest to the fact that this country has not been acting as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, but as a party, involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This fact makes it even more impossible for Turkey to play any role in the issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, within international, and particularly the OSCE framework," the statement said. In another statement released today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia once again refers to official statements by the President, Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense of Turkey, in which the Turkish authorities not only express unconditional support for Azerbaijan but also show unconcealed regional ambitions for the South Caucasus. “It should be noted that in the 21st century, Turkey is keeping its policy towards our region on the traditional justification of the Armenian genocide and impunity for this crime,” says the statement.
In another statement released today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia once again refers to official statements by the President, Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense of Turkey, in which the Turkish authorities not only express unconditional support for Azerbaijan but also show unconcealed regional ambitions for the South Caucasus. “It should be noted that in the 21st century, Turkey is keeping its policy towards our region on the traditional justification of the Armenian genocide and impunity for this crime,” says the statement.
On July 13, The Azerbaijani armed forces fired seven projectiles from 82 mm caliber grenades and 3 projectiles from 120 mm caliber mortar in the direction of Chinari settlement, damaging the roof of one of the houses. The enemy targeted the civilian infrastructure of Berd with a UAV strike. There are no casualties.
At night, the movement of the enemy tank was observed from the combat positions of the RA Armed Forces. It was stopped by the fire from our side.
In response to the provocative actions of the enemy, the servicemen of the RA Armed Forces took countermeasures and stopped the penetration of the Azerbaijani troops. The air defence units of the Armenian Armed Forces damaged the super expensive Elbit Hermes 900 UAV of the Azerbaijani army.
For the first time in the history of Armenia, Armenian-made military UAVs were used, registering brilliant results. Azerbaijan reported about 11 casualties, including Major General of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces Polad Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzoev.
Junior sergeant Smbat Gabrielyan, junior sergeant Grisha Matjosyan, Major Garush Hambardzumyan and Captain Sos Elbakyan were fatally wounded by the enemy's fire.Ten military personnel who received various injuries during the military operation are currently under medical supervision. One soldier is in critical condition. The condition of five others is assessed as average, with positive dynamics. The rest will be back in service within the next week.
Later, on the basis of a petition by the Prime Minister Nikolai Pashinyan, President Armen Sargsyan signed the applications to award with medals the soldiers who died during the defense of the Tavush region on the border of Armenia.
During the ceremony held in the Presidential Palace on July 15, President Armen Sargsyan expressed deep condolences to the families and relatives of the heroes, and also awarded Colonels Artak Tonoyan, Zhirair Poghosyan and Andranik Piloyan with the rank of Major General.
President Armen Sargsyan also noticed that the recent actions of Azerbaijan are unconcealed attempts of military aggression, which are doomed to failure.
“Of course, the situation is under the full control of our armed forces. “Although we are not the first to attack, our armed forces control the situation in any case,” said the president.
A crisis information center was set up in the town of Ijevan, Tavush region. It will regularly present the current situation at the border through briefings. Artsrun Hovhannisyan is coordinating the work with the media.
Spokeswoman for the RA Ministry of Defence Shushan Stepanyan shared a satellite photo on July 14. She noted that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces deployed artillery in areas close to the civilian population, targeting them.
From July 14, starting at 6 p.m., a gradual decrease of tension was observed. Around midnight (00:15), the fire almost completely ceased: large-caliber guns, artillery weapons were not used.
At the moment, the situation remains calm.
The international community has also reacted to the escalated situation calling for restraint.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia, being the co-chair of the [OSCE] Minsk Group, is ready to use its mediation efforts for settlement.
“We are calling on both sides to exercise restraint and honor their obligations as part of a ceasefire” highlighted Peskov.
On July 14, the session of the CSTO Permanent Council took place, where the Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative of Armenia to the CSTO Victor Biyagov touched upon the escalation of the situation in the northeastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the targeting of the civilian infrastructure and population by Azerbaijan. The Permanent Representative of Armenia mentioned that the Azerbaijani armed forces were shelling the civilian infrastructure of the Armenian settlements of Chinari and Aygepar villages, which resulted in damages of the civilian facilities.
"Recently, in contradiction to the calls of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to refrain from provocative actions and warmongering rhetoric, to strengthen the ceasefire regime, as well as to the call of the UN Secretary General for a global ceasefire, which was supported by CSTO member states, the Azerbaijani side continuously resorts to the threats of use of force and military escalation, and currently tries to implement them." said Biyagov and drew the attention of the representatives of CSTO member-states to the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, highlighting that Armenia strongly condemns Turkey's attempts to provoke instability in the region.
He particularly mentioned that the current situation is a matter of serious concern and attention for the organization and each member-state, as an attempt is made to instigate direct aggression in the zone of responsibility of the organization against one of its member-states.
On July 14, US State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus also touched upon the situation on the Tavush border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He noted that the United States strongly condemns the violence along the entire Armenia-Azerbaijan international border.
“We urge the sides to stop using force immediately, use the existing direct communication links between them to avoid further escalation, and strictly adhere to the ceasefire" said Morgan Ortagus.
US Congressman Adam Schiff has expressed concerns over provocative and destabilizing actions by Azerbaijan.
"These acts risk the lives of soldiers and civilians, and raise the danger of a spiraling conflict that could be devastating to the region" said Adam Schiff.
US Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone and Senator Edward J. Markey expressed their support for Armenia and the Armenian people, condemning the recent provocative actions taken by Azerbaijan along the Armenia border.
“Azerbaijan is once again attempting to start a war with Armenia. Azerbaijan’s constant use of caustic rhetoric aimed at Armenia and Artsakh are part of a concerted effort to provoke another conflict”, Congressman Frank Pallone said on Twitter.
Senator Edward J. Markey also expressed his support to Armenia.
“I stand with Armenia as they protect their territorial integrity. Azerbaijan and Turkey must respect the Armenian/Azeri border, respect the aspirations of the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh, and should deescalate this conflict immediately”.
The Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee Aram Hambarian stated that the US House of Representatives intends to discuss stopping the supply of US defense assets to Azerbaijan.
“As Azerbaijan intensifies its offensive actions, these changes will allow the Congress to prevent Aliyev from aggression,” he said, also adding that a vote on this issue will take place on Monday.
This will ensure that no American funds will be provided to the Azerbaijani government until the president decides and reports to the Congress the decision of the government to undertake obvious steps to stop the blockade and the use of military force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Armenia and Azerbaijan to begin de-escalation of the conflict, the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric noted.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of exchanges of fire, including with heavy weaponry, along the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border, which reportedly resulted in fatalities.
‘’The Secretary-General urges an immediate end to the fighting and calls on all involved to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and refrain from provocative rhetoric’’ said Stephane Dujarric.
James Appathurai, Special Representative of NATO Secretary General for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, posted a statement on his Facebook page expressing concern over the border situation.
“We are following with concern the developments on the bilateral border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, involving the use of heavy weapons and resulting in the loss of lives. We echo the Minsk Group Chairs in calling upon all sides to take all necessary measures to prevent further escalation”.
Speaker of the Cyprus Parliament Dimitris Siluris, as well as the leader of the ruling party “Democratic Union” Nikos Tornaridis also mentioned the tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. They expressed their concern about the incidents taking place on the border and new clashes, and also mentioned that they support the Armenian people.
“We support the Armenian people, we hope that the conflict will be resolved exclusively through peaceful negotiations,” said Dimitris Siluris.
On July 14, The Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a telephone conversation with his Cypriot colleague Nikos Khristodulid about the situation that arose as a result of the recent Azerbaijani aggression.
Minister Mnatsakanyan provided detailed information on the provocative actions of Azerbaijan, including attacks on civilian infrastructure and population. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus condemned the aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenia. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan described Turkey’s unconditional support for Azerbaijan for escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border as an attempt to destabilize and disrupt security in the region. The minister explained these actions as another intention of the Turkish authorities to provoke instability in the region and disrupt the security.
Konstantinos P. Gulekas, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Defense of the Greek Parliament, member of the “New Democracy”, in turn, noted that just as Greece and Cyprus continue to resist aggressive Turkish provocations, other countries such as Armenia are under similar pressure from Ankara, which leads to aggressive actions in the Caucasus, attacks on their borders, violation of the ceasefire, as well as violations of human rights.
“We condemn these destabilizing actions of Turkey against all civilized humanity, which seek peace and security in all regions, rather than provoking tensions”.
The Italian officials have also touched upon the Azerbaijani aggression, expressing solidarity with the Armenian people. Italian minister Alessandro Pagano and the head of the Armenia-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group have written Twitter posts wishing a quick return to peace.
Member of Parliament of the Netherlands, Co-Chair of the Armenia-Netherlands friendship circle Joël Voordewind condemned the attack launched by Azerbaijan against Armenia.
“It’s good that the UN condemns the Azerbaijani shelling against Armenia. This can lead to a new war around Nagorno Karabakh. I hope the OSCE can mediate and restore peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan”.
- We urge you to follow only the official news. You can find the official links attached, follow them and get accurate information.
- Official website of the RA Ministry of Defence
- Facebook page of the RA Ministry of Defence
- Armenian Unified Infocenter
- Spokeswoman for the RA Ministry of Defence Shushan Stepanyan
- Coordinator of the Crisis Information Center in Tavush
- Website of the Ministry of Defence of the Artsakh Republic
Attached we present the media publications in the photo format and video materials about Tavush region.
Zinuj media |: RA Armed Forces units destroy Azerbaijani bases which were shelling Tavush border settlements
Zinuj media |: Night punitive actions
Zinuj media |: Destruction to the Azerbaijani "Elbit Hermes 900" UAV
Hetq.am |: The Azerbaijani armed forces shelled the village of Aygepar
Razm.Info |: The Azerbaijani side surrounded its population with artillery batteries
Civilnet.am |: People in the border villages of Tavush.