Armenia says cathedral shelled in clashes with Azerbaijan

 Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of shelling a historic cadral in separatist territory of Nagor-Karabakh, where nearly two weeks of heavy fighting has killed hundreds of people.

Holy Savior Cadral, also kwn as Ghazanchetsots Cadral, suffered interior and exterior dam, according to state-run Armenian Unified Infocenter.

Media reports said some children were inside cadral in town of Shusha at time of shelling, and although y were t wounded, y suffered from stress after attack.

Built in 19th century, cadral suffered significant dam during ethnic violence in 1920. It was restored after fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in 1990s and is part of Armenian Apostolic Church.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry denied attacking cadral, saying its army "doesn't target historical, cultural, especially religious buildings and monuments.”

latest clashes between between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces began Sept. 27 and mark biggest escalation of deces-old conflict over Nagor-Karabakh. region lies in Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since end of a separatist war in 1994.

Fighting with heavy artillery, warplanes and drones has continued despite numerous international calls for a cease-fire. Both sides accuse each or of expanding hostilities beyond Nagor-Karabakh and of targeting civilians.

According to Nagor-Karabakh military, 350 of its servicemen have been killed since Sept. 27. Azerbaijan hasn't provided details on its military losses. Scores of civilians on both sides also have been killed.

Also on Thursday, Azerbaijani officials accused Armenian forces of attacking several of its vills and towns, and Nagor-Karabakh forces said y were “suppressing activity” of Azerbaijani forces along line of contact.

Stepanakert, capital of Nagor-Karabakh, has been under intense shelling. Residents are staying in shelters, some of which are in basements of apartment buildings.

A woman who is sheltering with her neighbors in Stepanakert said fighting killed her two sons in 1992 and w her grandchildren are involved in it.

woman, who identified herself only by her first name, Zoya, told Associated Press that "if it is necessary, I am also rey to fight with a weapon in my hands because it is our land, land of our ancestors,”

Azerbaijan says Armenia's withdrawal from region is main condition for a cease-fire. Armenian officials allege Turkey is involved in conflict and is sending Syrian mercenaries to fight on Azerbaijan's side. Turkey has publicly backed Azerbaijan in conflict but denied sending fighters to region.

Russia, United States and France co-chair so-called Minsk Group, which was set up in 1990s under auspices of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to mediate conflict. y have called repeatedly for stopping hostilities and starting peace talks.

group was scheduled to meet Thursday in Geneva, and Azerbaijan’s foreign minister was set to attend to give Baku’s position on conflict.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Minsk group for failing to resolve issue. He reiterated his country’s full support for Azerbaijan, which he said was determined to reclaim its territory.

“ Minsk group until w has t shown any will to solve this problem. solution to issue — which has turned into gangrene, so to speak, because of Armenia’s uncompromising and spoiled attitude for nearly years — is for occupation to end,” Erdogan said in remarks via video at an ecomic cooperation forum in Istanbul.

“We see that Azerbaijan is extremely determined in liberating its territory. As Turkey, we support with all our heart Azerbaijan’s righteous struggle to reclaim its territory. We invite all countries who defend justice and fairness to support Azerbaijan," he ded.

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