Reported death toll in Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes about 600

reported death toll in clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over separatist territory of Nagor-Karabakh has reached about 600, with officials reporting more military and civilian deaths as fighting continues despite a cease-fire anunced over weekend.

Nagor-Karabakh military officials said Tuesday that 16 more of ir servicemen have been killed in fighting, bringinhe total number of de among military members to 532 since Sept. 27, when fighting started. Azerbaijan hasn't disclosed its military losses, and overall toll is likely to be much higher with both sides regularly claiming to have inflicted significant military casualties on one ar.

Azerbaijani authorities said 42 civilians have been killed on ir side in over two weeks. Nagor-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan late Monday reported at least 31 civilian deaths in breakaway region. Hundreds more have been wounded.

recent fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces broke out on Sept. 27. More than two weeks of dely clashes marked biggest escalation of a deces-old conflict over Nagor-Karabakh, which lies in Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since end of a separatist war in 1994.

Both sides have repeatedly accused each or of attacks amid appeals from around globe to end hostilities and start peace talks.

Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers signed a cease-fire deal last week. truce that took effect Saturday was brokered by Russia, which has a security pact with Armenia. But Moscow also has cultivated warm ties with Azerbaijan and seeks to mediate in conflict.

truce, however, has been immediately challenged with both Armenia and Azerbaijan accusing each or of continued attacks in violation of agreement.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijani officials have once again accused Armenian forces of shelling some of its regions, and Nagor-Karabakh officials said Azerbaijan launched “large-scale military operations” along front line.

Russia and European Union have urged both sides to observe cease-fire.

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