Armenia, Azerbaijan exchange fire again. A caution from top American diplomat
New clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops were reported early Tuesday and Azeri commanders reported casualties, according to Reuters. Armenian commanders said the fighting continued through the night.
Each side is blaming the other for the fighting. Azerbaijan, which won full control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020, said its positions were receiving intense shelling. Armenia’s Defense Ministry said the exchange of fire was prompted by an Azeri provocation.
UPDATE: Armenian PM Pashinyan has held a phone call with Russian President Putin to discuss the escalation tonight between his country and Azerbaijan. https://t.co/7zObuCD9ps
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) September 12, 2022
The Jerusalem Post said Azerbaijani artillery and UAVs targeted sites in the Armenian cities of Vardenis, Goris, Sotk and Jermuk in the eastern portion of the country. Turkish-manufactured drones were decisive in Azerbaijan’s tactical victory in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Meanwhile, the Azeri cities of Dashkasan, Kalbajar and Lachin were targets of Armenian shelling.
U.S Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called for an end to the clashes in a statement.
“There can be no military solution to the conflict,” he said.
