ArmInfo. US Congressman Adam Schiff issued a statement expressing concern over the recent provocative and destabilizing actions taken by Azerbaijan along the border with Armenia, including the shelling of Armenian soldiers.
"These actions threaten the lives of soldiers and civilians and increase the risk of exacerbating the conflict, which could have devastating consequences for the region, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. These actions should also be considered in the context of Azerbaijan's consistently warlike rhetoric regarding Armenia and Artsakh and its refusal to allow international monitoring of its borders. I urge the Department of State to explain to all parties the need for restraint and diplomacy and reduce tensions, "Schiff wrote on his Facebook page.
On the afternoon of July 12, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, for reasons unknown to the Armenian side, attempted to violate the state border of the Republic of Armenia in the Tavush direction using an UAZ car. After warning the Armenian side, leaving the UAZ car, the enemy troops returned to their positions, and then, using artillery fire, tried to capture the Armenian stronghold, but were thrown back by the fire, causing casualties.
All night from July 12 to July 13 and all yesterday, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces subjected to intensive firing of 82 mm mortars, tanks, 120 mm grenade launchers from the aforementioned strong point. Also used shock drones.
The Armenian side warned the enemy that all responsibility for further aggravation of the situation would fall on the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan.
According to an official statement of the Ministry of Defense of the AR, during the incident, four servicemen of the Azerbaijani army were killed and several were injured. But, the media is already circulating information about 17 dead from the Azerbaijani side. The Azerbaijani authorities are trying to shift the responsibility for the situation to the Armenian side, and baselessly accuse Yerevan of trying to draw a third party into the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The AR Ministry of Defense also reports a violation of the ceasefire in the direction of Nakhichevan.
According to the latest data from the Armenian side, the Armenian Armed Forces have no casualties, however, two policemen and three military personnel were injured.
The enemy on the eve subjected to shelling the border communities of Chinari and Aygepar, there were no casualties among the civilian population, but the veins of the building were damaged. It is also worth noting that in this situation, the Turkish side took an active position, expressing unconditional support for Baku, which were reflected in two statements by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Moreover, the second came from the mouth of the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the air of TRT Haber. He noted that Turkey, using all the opportunities, is located next to Azerbaijan. "Let Armenia come to its senses," Cavusoglu said.