Urgent: Azerbaijani Forces Open Fire in Gegharkunik Region, 3 Injured - Ministry of Defense

On July 23, around 17:00, Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Armenian positions located in the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. This was preceded by gunfire from their own Azerbaijani combat posts, which may have been triggered by an interpersonal incident among Azerbaijani military personnel. This is further supported by the fact that the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reported that one Azerbaijani serviceman was killed as a result of fire opened by the Armenian side.

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia stated that it did not respond with retaliatory actions until the Azerbaijani armed forces initiated fire toward Armenian positions. As a result of intensive gunfire that started due to yet another act of provocation from the Azerbaijani side, three servicemen of the Armenian Armed Forces sustained light gunshot wounds. Their lives are not in danger.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia strongly condemns the latest provocation by the Azerbaijani armed forces. The entire responsibility for the escalation of the situation lies with the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan.