Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
The incident with a helicopter is another reminder of the need to redouble efforts on a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Department of State spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
She was commenting on Armenia's military helicopter shot down by the Azerbaijani armed forces, the AP agency reported.
"Today's events are yet another reminder of the need to redouble efforts on a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including reducing tensions and respecting the ceasefire," Psaki said.
On Nov. 12, at 13:45 (UTC/GMT +4 hours) a Mi-24 helicopter flying 1700 meters northeast of the Kengerli village of Aghdam district attacked the positions of the Azerbaijani army. One helicopter was shot down by the Azerbaijani side. The debris of the downed helicopter fell on an area, located 500 meters away from the frontline.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.