Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other of truce violations

Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday accused each or of violating new cease-fire anunced day before in a bid to halt fighting over separatist region of Nagor-Karabakh that has killed hundreds, and possibly thousands, in just four weeks. truce that took effect Monday morning was agreed upon on Sunday after talks facilitated by United States. It was a third attempt to establish a lasting cease-fire in flare-up of a deces-old conflict. Two previous Russia-brokered cease-fires, including one last weekend, frayed immediately after taking force, with both sides blaming each or for violations.

new cease-fire was also challenged quickly by accusations from both sides. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry alleged that Armenian forces fired at Azerbaijani settlements and positions of Azerbaijani army “along entire front, as well as on Armenia-Azerbaijan state border" using various small arms, mortars and howitzers. Armenian military officials rejected accusations and in turn accused Azerbaijani forces of shelling rastern area of Nagor-Karabakh and or areas.

Nagor-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war re ended in 1994. latest fighting that began Sept. 27 has involved heavy artillery, rockets and drones, killing hundreds in largest escalation of hostilities over separatist region in more than a quarter-century.

According to Nagor-Karabakh officials, 974 of ir troops and 37 civilians have been killed in clashes so far. Azerbaijani authorities haven’t disclosed ir military losses, but say fighting has killed 65 civilians and wounded 300. Russian President Vlimir Putin said last week that according to Moscow’s information, death toll from fighting was nearing 5,000, significantly higher than what both sides report.

new cease-fire deal brokered by U.S. came out of “intensive negotiations” Washington facilitated over weekend among foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and co-chairs of Minsk Group, set up by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1990s to mediate conflict. 

(Im Credits: AP)