Armenian army attacks civilian areas in Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Armenian troops opened fire on civilian settlements on the Azerbaijani border, Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said Monday.

The troops fired on the villages of Agdam and Dondar Kuscu in Tovuz in the afternoon with 120-millimeter mortars and D-30 howitzers, the ministry said in a statement.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said Armenia revealed its "aggressive and terrorist face" once again.

It stressed that Armenia violated all the basic principles of international law by bombing civilians.

“The Armenian administration should not think that its actions will go unpunished. As in all occupation situations, the occupation of Azerbaijani lands is temporary, and Armenia will account for all illegal actions.”

On Sunday, four Azerbaijani soldiers were martyred and three others were injured when Armenian forces violated a ceasefire and targeted positions of Azerbaijan's army in northwestern Tovuz district.

Azerbaijani army launches counterattacks

In response to Armenia's weekend attack, Azerbaijani army launched counterattacks Monday with cannon shots.

The positions of the Armenian army, military radar station, vehicle depot, tanks and armored vehicles were hit, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

More than 20 personnel from the Armenian army were killed in the attack, it added.

Georgia calls for peace

The Georgian Presidency called Monday for a peaceful resolution of the conflict on the Azerbaijan-Armenian border.

“Today, while we are all fighting against an invisible enemy [the COVID-19 outbreak], international solidarity and maintaining global stability are crucial,” it said in a statement.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili was saddened by the clashes on the border, it added.

Stressing the importance of peace and security in the region, the statement pointed out that the conflict between the two countries needs to be resolved through peaceful methods.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin