One killed, three wounded on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Another skirmish took place on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a result, one serviceman was killed and three more were injured. The defense ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan have issued contradictory statements.

• Armenian soldier killed on border with Azerbaijan
• Op-ed: Azerbaijan is hoping to disrupt Armenia’s plans
• Commentary from Baku: Why are there shootings in Karabakh

The shootout resulted in a serviceman of the Azerbaijani army being killed, and three servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia being injured.

Information from Baku

“On July 23 at about 16:00, units of the Armenian armed forces stationed at positions in the Basarkecheyarskiy (Gegharkuniksokgo) region [Armenia] fired at military positions of the Azerbaijani army on the Kelbajar sector of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.

As a result of a sniper shot from the opposing side, a soldier of the Azerbaijani army, Yagublu Farman Telman Oglu, was killed.

At present, the units of the Azerbaijani army stationed in the indicated region are taking retaliatory actions.

Such provocations, by soldiers of Armenia could aggravate the situation on the state border of the two countries.

All responsibility for this provocation lies with Armenia.” reads the statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also made a statement.

“According to information from the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, on July 23, units of the armed forces of Armenia fired on positions of the Azerbaijani army on the Kelbajar sector of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. As a result of a sniper shot from the enemy, a soldier of the Azerbaijani army was killed.

Recent provocations by the Armenian side, attempts to aggravate the situation in the region by shelling Azerbaijani positions are unacceptable, and Armenia bears full responsibility for the development of this situation.

Azerbaijan reserves the right to take all necessary steps to protect its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as to ensure peace and security in the region.” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

Information from Yerevan

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia reports that on July 23, at about 17:00, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire on the Armenian positions along the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. As a result of the intense firefight, three Armenian servicemen were injured, their lives are not in danger.

“This was preceded by shooting at the Azerbaijani military positions themselves, which may be related to an interpersonal incident within the Azerbaijani military. This is evidenced by the fact that the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry mentions in its message that an Azerbaijani soldier was killed as a result of shots fired by the Armenian side.” the Armenian statement reads.

The Armenian Ministry of Defense claims that the Armenian military did not retaliate until the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire on the Armenian positions.

The Armenian Defense Ministry, lays all responsibility for the aggravation of the situation is laid on the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan.