The authorities of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic claim that fierce fighting continues in the region's south-east and north despite the statement made by Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry on the termination of exchange of fire in the conflict zone.
A new spate of violence broke out in the disputed region on Saturday as the sides traded accusations over violations of the ceasefire that has been in place since May 1994. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia reported casualties in the flare-up.
"Intense fighting continues in the south-east and north of Nagorno-Karabakh. The republic's administration continues its work around the clock," the local administration's representative told Sputnik Armenia.
At least 32 dead from clashes in #Nagorno-#Karabakh https://t.co/BTszep8fNP pic.twitter.com/nt1CF4ofXT
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) April 2, 2016
"casualties on both sides" after heavy clashes in Nagorno-#Karabakh #Azerbaijanhttps://t.co/fEpNj5BVBW
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) April 2, 2016
Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed region in the South Caucasus, which is formally part of Azerbaijan, but largely populated by Armenians. The territory acts as a self-administrating province, but is not recognized as a country by the international community.
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.
#Azerbaijan'i helicopter MI-24 shot down by #Karabakh forces pic.twitter.com/xn6dk4Ndin
— Karabakh MFA (@mfankr) April 2, 2016
