The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs urge the parties to the Karabakh conflict to immediately cease hostilities.
ArmInfo.The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs - Ambassador Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Ambassador Stephane Visconti of France, and Ambassador Richard Hoagland of the United States - have received information of renewed violence late in the evening on July 4 at Alkhanli village of Fizuli region that resulted in casualties, including civilians.
The Minsk Group Co-Chairs urgently call upon the sides to cease military action. Violence only begets further violence and accomplishes nothing. The only responsible and humane way to resolve this long- standing conflict is for the sides to return to the negotiation table in good faith. The Co-Chairs extend their condolences to the families of the victims.
As ArmInfo reported earlier, on July 4, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces continued to violate the ceasefire at various sections of the Artsakh-Azerbaijani border. In particular, around 11:30 - 11:35 in the eastern direction, the Azerbaijani side used 82 mm mortar (4 shells), in the same sector in the period from 12:45 to 12:55 - antitank grenade launcher (3 shells), in the south direction at 13:35 - 60 mm mortar (3 shells), at 19:10 - 60 mm mortar (2 shells). In the area of 20:20-20:30 from the firing point, located in the village of Alkhanlu, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the multiple rocket fire systems TR- 107 (5 shells) opened fire in the direction of the command post of one of the military units stationed in the south. At 20:48 the enemy also used 82 mm mortar (3 rounds).
To suppress offensive activity of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, the advanced units of the Defense Army of Artsakh about 20:31-20:40 were forced to resort to retaliatory actions, as a result of which the damage was caused to the firing point located Alkhanlu village. According to reliable data provided by the relevant services of Artsakh, the enemy suffered losses. As a result of provocative actions of Azerbaijan Defense Army suffered no losses.