Azerbaijan and Armenia Report New Clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh

On Tuesday, April 20, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced that during clashes between Armenian forces and the military of Azerbaijan, five Armenian soldiers were killed and ten others were injured. These clashes occurred on Monday evening at the contact line in the 'Terter' region. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported by Trend News Agency, 'The Armenian army is attempting to hide its defeats from the public by spreading false news about what it calls provocations by the political leadership and armed forces of Azerbaijan at the front line. This army will soon announce its casualties and injuries.' However, the Ministry of Defense of the Nagorno-Karabakh region stated that there were no casualties in the mentioned clashes, and one Azerbaijani soldier was killed, claiming that Azerbaijan's assertions are an attempt to cover up its military losses. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense stated in its announcement that the armed forces of Azerbaijan have complete operational control at the front line without suffering any casualties. The clashes between the two South Caucasian countries began in 1988 with an attack by Armenian forces on the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 1992, twenty percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions, was occupied by Armenian forces. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994, but military clashes between the parties still result in dozens of casualties annually. The leaders of the Minsk Group have been mediating for years to establish peace between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Armenian Press agency reported that 'Azerbaijani forces launched an incursion operation at the front line around 5 PM on Monday, April 20, but Armenian armed forces immediately intervened and engaged with Azerbaijani forces.' According to this report, Azerbaijani forces were forced to retreat after suffering casualties and left behind some weapons and ammunition. This agency also claimed that in this clash, one Azerbaijani soldier was killed and several others were injured, while Armenian forces suffered no casualties. Meanwhile, Armenian Public Radio reported that Armenian forces engaged with an Azerbaijani sabotage group for 15 minutes and forced the Azerbaijani forces to retreat. This radio quoted the Ministry of Defense of 'Nagorno-Karabakh' stating that in this clash, one Azerbaijani was killed and several others were injured, but Armenian forces suffered no casualties. Investigations into this clash are ongoing.