MOSCOW (AA) — Azerbaijani troops seized mortars and ammunition-loaded trucks belonging to Armenian formations in Karabakh as "trophies" during the past day of anti-terrorist activities, the country's Defense Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.
"Four mortars and six Ural trucks with ammunition were seized as trophies," Anar Eyvazov said at a news conference in Baku, accusing the Armenian side of arming civilians.
"According to our data, the Armenian side is forcibly arming the civilian population, trying to force civilians to take up positions," he said.
Eyvazov also denied Armenian reports claiming Azerbaijani units shelled civilians evacuating from Karabakh, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers.
"We maintain constant operational contact with representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, all conditions are provided for the fulfillment of their duties by peacekeepers," he underlined.
Azerbaijan had announced Tuesday that it was launching "counter-terrorism" measures in Karabakh to uphold provisions outlined in a trilateral peace agreement with Russia and Armenia to end the 2020 conflict.
It later said an agreement has been reached on Wednesday to suspend the measures as 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 Elena Teslova from Moscow