Armenia defense ministry reports new clashes with Azerbaijan troops

Armenia’s defense ministry reported a renewed clash with Azerbaijani troops in what appears to be the worst fighting since 2020. The renewed clashes took place a day after what is seen as the deadliest fighting between the two neighboring countries.

The Armenian defense ministry issued a statement Wednesday reporting renewed fighting with Azerbaijan at the border the two countries share. Azerbaijan used artillery, mortar, and small arms in its attack on Armenian troops, according to the ministry.

“The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border remained tense,” said the statement, reiterating Armenia’s stance that Azerbaijan launched an offensive on its sovereign territory.

Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of firing mortars and artillery against its military. Armenia is in a military alliance with Russia and has a Russian military base.

“Our positions are periodically being fired against at the moment,” said the Azerbaijani defense ministry. “Our units are taking the necessary response measures.”

The latest clash occurred a day after the two countries traded blame for previous clashes triggered along the border overnight.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Azerbaijani troops “launched intensive shelling with artillery and large-caliber firearms against Armenian military positions in the direction of the cities of Goris, Sotk, and Jermuk.”

However, Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Elnur Mammadov said Armenian forces were shelling “employee and civilian infrastructure” in what was a “large-scale provocation.” Mammadov also said Armenian forces opened fire at Azerbaijani military positions in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin.

An all-out conflict between the two neighboring countries would risk bringing in Russia and Turkey at a time when the ongoing war in Ukraine is disrupting energy supplies as it may destabilize a key corridor for oil and gas pipelines.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned Armenia’s conduct as unacceptable and warned of consequences following the latest clashes.

“We find the situation that has occurred due to Armenia’s violation of the agreement – reached after the war that resulted in the victory of Azerbaijan – to be unacceptable,” Erdogan told a rally in Ankara Wednesday.

“We hope that Armenia returns from this wrong path as soon as possible and uses its time and energy to strengthen peace,” Erdogan added.

“This attitude will, of course, cause consequences for the Armenian side, which not only does not fulfill the terms of the signed agreement but also constantly displays an aggressive attitude.”