US Condemns Nagorno-Karabakh Violence, Urges Parties to Respect Ceasefire

The United States strongly condemns the violation of the ceasefire in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and calls on the conflicting sides to show restraint since the military approach is not an option to settle the issue, US State Secretary John Kerry said Saturday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Armenian-held area flared overnight after heavy fighting was reported on the line of contact.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale ceasefire violations along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact, which have resulted in a number of reported casualties, including civilians," Kerry said in a statement.

He also extended condolences to all affected families.

"We urge the sides to show restraint, avoid further escalation, and strictly adhere to the ceasefire. The unstable situation on the ground demonstrates why the sides must enter into an immediate negotiation under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. We reiterate that there is no military solution to the conflict. As a co-chair country, the United States is firmly committed to working with the sides to reach a lasting and negotiated peace."

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988, when the Armenian-dominated autonomous region sought to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, before proclaiming independence after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. The conflict escalated further In September 2015, with the sides blaming one another for violating the truce.