Baku, Azerbaijan, March 18
By Ilkin Izzet - Trend:
Armenian armed forces opened fire at Azerbaijani armed forces positions located in the Tovuz district's Alibeyli village, from the positions located in the Mosesgekh and Aygepar villages of Armenia's Berd district, yesterday and last night, according to a message from Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.
Azerbaijani armed forces positions were also subjected to Armenians' fire from positions near the Horadiz and Gorgan villages of Fizuli district.
The shooting was countered by return fire.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.