Commentary by the Information and Public Relations Department of the NKR MFA
On July 4, 2017, the Azerbaijani side initiated another provocation, firing on the territory of the Republic of Artsakh. After 2016 April aggression, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces used the TR-107 type of rocket launchers for the first time. The firing was carried out from the firing points located near residential buildings in the village of Alkhanlu.
Artsakh Defence Army had to take measures to suppress the firing activity of the Azerbaijani army. As a result of the incident provoked by the Azerbaijani side, unfortunately, there are casualties among villagers.
We have repeatedly, since the April aggression days, pointed out that the Azerbaijani side, violating all the norms of international humanitarian law, does not hesitate to use its civilian population as a live shield to fire Artsakh’s territory.
Civilians living on both sides of the border has long become hostage to the policy of the Azerbaijani authorities because of the escalation of tension on the contact-line between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan and the failure of efforts of mediators aimed at restoring negotiations.
What happened, once more confirms the importance of the agreements to stabilize the situation on the contact-line reached at the summits held in Vienna on May 16, 2016, and in St. Petersburg on June 20, 2016. Immediate implementation of the mentioned agreements, which is being torpedoed by Azerbaijan, will allow to avoid such incidents later on.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Artsakh Republic
