Thursday, July 6 2017 12:23

ArmInfo.Artsakh defense army has never acted as the initiator of attack, but is always ready to retaliate by any retaliatory steps any provocative action by the adversary, the  head of NKR Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan stated, referring to the accusations of Baku about the shelling of populated areas.

"With is to the statement spread by Azerbaijan that the village of  Alkhanlu was bombarded on July 4, which caused the death of  civilians, this is nothing more than a cynical attempt to disorient  the international community at the expense of the blood of innocent  citizens. Defense Army of Artsakh never chose peaceful settlements as  targets, which is inherent in our enemy. The target of our attacks  was, and will continue to be, exclusively those military facilities,  from where the enemy is firing at the Armenian side, "Mnatsakanyan  told Interfax.

At the same time, the head of NKR DA expressed disappointment on the  fact that the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan considers  it natural to place its fire installations in peaceful settlements,  and the practice of carrying off offensive actions from Artsakh  positions from these fire points. "Hiding behind its own population  and turning it into a living target, the adversary rudely violates  the norms of international law. If the death of civilians did take  place, then we are sorry. I declare with full responsibility that, as  always, Artsakh Armed Forces will continue to exercise their right to  defense fully, and if necessary, to apply targeted and  disproportionate response to the offensive actions of the adversary.  At the same time, we advise the Azerbaijani side to refrain from  further military adventure, fraught with unpredictable consequences,  and seek a solution to the issue around the negotiation table,  especially when such an approach is based on the interests of two  peoples, " Mnatsakanyan concluded.