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| Low possibility of war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian minister says |
| 2014-08-07 |
| There is a low possibility of waging a war in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said on Aug. 6, News-Armenia reported. "The incidents can turn into local clashes," Ohanian said at a press conference on Aug. 6. "But the likelihood of a large-scale war is low. In any case, we must be ready." Armenian armed forces launched a diversion on the night of July 31-August 1, when reconnaissance and sabotage groups tried to cross the contact line through the territories of the Aghdam and Terter regions. Azerbaijan managed to locate the group and the sabotage attempt was prevented. During the last four days, Azerbaijani positions have been constantly under attack, and 13 servicemen have been killed, several more were wounded. The Armenian side suffered more losses while trying to hide this fact from the public. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. |
| Posted by:Steve White |