BAKU/YEREVAN, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Azerbaijan and Armenia traded accusations of violating a new cease-fire yesterday, hours after they agreed for the second time, to halt fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The two sides agreed on a new “humanitarian truce” in the region, starting midnight (2000 GMT) Saturday, the two countries’ foreign ministries announced on Saturday evening. The first truce came on Oct 10, following lengthy negotiations in Moscow on Oct 9.
Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said yesterday, the country shot down another Armenian Su-25 attack aircraft, attempting to air-strike Azerbaijani forces, in the Jabrayil region, yesterday afternoon.
The ministry also accused the Armenian army of attacking Azerbaijani forces, in Gadabay and Tovuz regions, after the cease-fire agreement took effect.
Meanwhile, the Armenian foreign ministry, said that, Azerbaijan launched an attack in the southern direction of the contact line, in order to occupy favourable positions, after intensive artillery fire.
The statement also accused the Azerbaijani side of rejecting the withdrawal of wounded soldiers from the battlefield, through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
A new round of armed conflict broke out on Sept 27, along the contact line of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads, over the mountainous region since 1988. Peace talks have been held since 1994, when a cease-fire was reached, although there have been minor sporadic clashes since.– NNN-AGENCIES
