Azerbaijan builds up military forces on border: Armenian MoD
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Tensions persist along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border as the Armenian Defense Ministry reports a concerning buildup of Azerbaijani military forces.
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Azerbaijanian servicemen crossing the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and approaching the Armenian positions, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 (AP)
The Armenian Defense Ministry issued a statement on Friday, underscoring the precarious situation prevailing at the border with Azerbaijan due to the apparent buildup of Azerbaijani military forces.
The mounting tension has raised concerns, prompting the Armenian Armed Forces to take measures aimed at maintaining stability and deterring potential provocations.
"The situation continues to be tense as a result of the accumulation of Azerbaijani armed forces during the last 2 days, hence the Armenian Armed Forces continue to take necessary actions to stabilize it and prevent provocations," The Armenian MoD said in an official statement.
This recent escalation follows a recurring pattern of periodic exchanges of fire along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The most significant flare-up in hostilities took place on September 12, 2022, leaving regional observers wary of a possible repeat of such confrontations.
Read more: Azerbaijan risks 'nullifying' peace hopes: Armenian PM
Earlier this week, the EU mission in Armenia reported increased tensions on the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"Last several days, EUMA eye-witnessed with concern the increased tensions and crossfire at the [Armenian]-[Azerbaijani] border areas. We reported on the situation to Brussels," the mission wrote on X.
On Friday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry alleged that Yerevan was using combat drones employed by Armenia against Azerbaijani positions within the Kalbajar District, which led to the injury of two Azerbaijani soldiers.
Correspondingly, the Armenian Defense Ministry accused Baku of launching artillery attacks on Armenian positions along the border, resulting in the loss of three Armenian soldiers and the injury of two more.
Read more: Armenia requests UNSC meeting to resolve Lachin corridor blocking
The Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict has been largely centered around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan populated mostly by ethnic Armenians that has been a source of conflict between the two Caucasus neighbors dating back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Despite occasional talks on a peace agreement to resolve disputes and normalize relations, tensions remain high and border clashes are common. In two days of fighting in September of last year, around 300 soldiers were killed on both sides.
The ongoing fighting in the region has put a strain on the once-close relationship between Armenia and Russia, Armenia's traditional ally and the peacekeeper in Karabakh.
