Two servicemen dead after more skirmishes on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia and Azerbaijan have both reported a casualty as a result of sporadic skirmishes over the past few days. 

An Azerbaijani serviceman was killed on Wednesday (8 December), after another border incident with Armenian forces. According to a report from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence (MOD), Armenian troops opened fire twice, once in the afternoon, and again in the evening. The latter incident, which took place in the direction of the Kalbajar region, led to the death of Azerbaijani soldier, Aliyev Asif Adil. 

The report added that relevant measures had been taken to suppress the opposing side, and that “the Armenian military-political leadership bears full responsibility for another tension that occurred”. The Armenian MOD accused the Azerbaijani side of opening fire on its position, calling on Baku to "refrain from provocative actions aimed at aggravating the situation".

Earlier today (10 December), Armenia reported a casualty of its own. A report by the Armenian MOD confirmed that one of its servicemen had been killed, with several others wounded, “as a result of the offensive operations carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces”. The statement added that as of 14:30, the exchange of fire had been stopped and that the situation was “under the full control of the RA Armed Forces”. The Azerbaijani side reported that Armenian forces opened fire around 12:00 in the Basarkechar region, stating that retaliatory action had suppressed the opposing side, and that the Azerbaijani Army controls the operational situation. 

source: commonspace.eu and agencies
photo: Armenian soldier; Official website of the ministry of defence of Armenia