Azerbaijan’s army takes control of over 90 military positions in Karabakh region

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) – The Azerbaijani army has taken control of over 90 military positions during its anti-terror measures against Armenian forces in the Karabakh region, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the information at this time, more than 90 combat positions belonging to the Armenian armed forces and many strategically important hills have been taken under control by their armed forces, Anar Eyvazov said at a news conference in Baku.

At the same time, he said, seven military vehicles, mortars, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition belonging to the opposing side were seized.

The spokesman also shared some details about the Azerbaijani army anti-terror activities in the region, which ended with the surrender of Armenian soldiers. He emphasized that the Armenian forces, who ran out of ammunition, left their positions and fled.

He pointed out that the Azerbaijani army did not open fire on those fleeing.

Earlier on Tuesday, Azerbaijan announced the implementation of "counter-terrorism" measures in Karabakh in order to uphold provisions outlined in a trilateral peace agreement with Russia and Armenia to end the conflict by 2020.

Earlier on Wednesday, however, Baku announced that an agreement had been reached to suspend the measures as of 1 p.m. local time (0900GMT).

Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

In the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages, and settlements from Armenian occupation during 44 days of clashes. The war ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire.

Tensions between the two nations, however, continue despite ongoing talks aiming for a long-term peace agreement.

*Writing by Merve Berker