Page semi-protected

2016 ArmenianAzerbaijani clashes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as

the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The last
updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (April
2016)
2016 ArmenianAzerbaijani border clashes
Part of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ArmenianAzerbaijani border conflict
Nagorno Karabakh Current en.png
Territory controlled by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Territory claimed by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic but controlled by
Azerbaijan
Date 2 April 2016 present
(3 days)
Location

Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact

StatusOngoing
Belligerents
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)
Armenia

Azerbaijan

Units involved
Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army
Armed Forces of Armenia Azerbaijani Armed Forces
Casualties and losses
Official Armenian figures:[1][2][3]

25 soldiers KIA, 26 MIA

72 soldiers wounded
5 civilians killed, 6 wounded
7 tanks destroyed
Azerbaijani claim:

170+ soldiers killed or wounded[4][5]

13 tanks, 15 artillery destroyed[6][4]
1 drone shot down[7]
Official Azerbaijani figures:[4][8]

15 soldiers killed
2 civilians killed
1 Mi-24 helicopter shot down
1 tank damaged
Armenian claim:[9][10]

300 soldiers killed

2 helicopters, 6 drones shot down
20 tanks, 5+ armored vehicles (1 IFV), 1 MRL destroyed
[show] v t e
ArmenianAzerbaijani border conflict
On 2 April 2016, clashes occurred on the line of contact between the
Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army and Armenian Armed Forces on one side
and the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the other side in the disputed region of
Nagorno-Karabakh which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan,
[11]. Later that day, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced a
unilateral end of the active clashes from its side, but according to NagornoKarabakh Defense Army, the attacks continued.[12] According to official

statements of the involved sides, 18 Armenian soldiers and 12 Azerbaijani

soldiers were killed during the clashes,[13] and several pieces of military
equipment from both sides were destroyed. The UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also confirmed the deaths of three
civilians.[14]

Contents [hide]
1

Background

Clashes

International reactions

References

Background
Further information: ArmenianAzerbaijani War, Nagorno-Karabakh War and
History of Nagorno-Karabakh
[icon] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (April 2016)
Clashes
Each side blamed the other for the outbreak of hostilities which breached the
ceasefire terms of the Bishkek Protocol. According to Armenian sources, on
late night of April 1 and early morning of April 2 the Azerbajani side launched
large-scale attacking actions along the contact-line between the KharabakhAzerbajani opposing forces, on April 2, at 8:30 am Vaghinak Grigoryan, born
in 2004, was killed as a result of missile artillery attack from MM-21 Grad
realized in the borders of Martuni. Two children were wounded as well.[15]
According to Azerbaijani sources, on 2 April Azerbaijani positions and
inhabited places near the front line came under fire from Armenian military
that killed and wounded several civilians.[16] In response to that, the
Azerbaijani army launched counter-fights around Aghdara, Tartar, Agdam,
Khojavend and Fuzuli.[17] It said that its frontline forces had suddenly come
under fire from mortars and high caliber grenade launchers before the
Azerbaijani Army was forced to take urgent measures to respond.[18]
According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, during a rapid counteroffensive the front defense line of Armenian side was broken in several places
and several strategic heights and inhabited places were retaken (including
the strategically important hill of Lala Tepe).[16][17] The Azerbaijani side
claimed that they had captured some areas including heights near the village
of Talysh, as well as the village of Seysulan.[19] 14,400 people living in

villages were affected by clashes, but no internal displacement or immediate

humanitarian need was reported.[14]

Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan sharply

accused Azerbaijan of "launching an unprovoked coordinated ground
offensive against Armenias forces", saying the Azerbaijani military used
warplanes, tanks and artillery to try to make inroads into Nagorno-Karabakh.
[18] During the first day of fighting, Armenian forces claimed to have
destroyed at least three Azerbaijani tanks, two military helicopters (including
at least one armed Mil Mi-8/17) and two unmanned drones, photographs and
videos of which surfaced on the internet.[20] Armenian frontline positions
were reinforced, heavy artillery was brought forward, and in the NKR capital
Stepanakert reservists were called up. On April 3, Armenian military
authorities announced that NKR forces had recaptured positions around
Talysh,[21] which in turn was refuted by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.
[22]

On April 3, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced a unilateral end to

hostilities. The Armenian Defense Ministry quickly countered Azerbaijani
claims, saying hostilities had yet to cease.[23] The Azerbaijani Ministry of
Defense warned that should Armenian shelling pursue, Azerbaijan will
continue its offensive.[24] On April 4, it reported that an Armenian command
and control centre had been destroyed and released a video capturing the
attack. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense claimed that along with numerous
military personnel, two high-ranking Armenian officers were killed as a result.
[25] The same day, the Armenian defense ministry announced that an Azeri
drone attacked a bus carrying Armenian volunteers for military service to the
Nagorno-Karabakh town of Martakert, killing five people aboard.[3]

In the course of the clashes, mortar shells fired from Nagorno-Karabakh hit a
village in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azerbaijan, but no
casualties or damages were reported.[26]

According to Armenian officials, almost all residents of Talysh and the nearby
village of Madagiz had been evacuated and provided with shelter in other
parts of the region.[27] However, reports from Talysh after the village was
retaken by Armenian troops indicated that an elderly Armenian couple, Valera
Khalapyan and his wife Razmela, were shot in their home and their corpses

mutilated. Azerbaijani soldiers also executed Marousya Khalapyan (born

1924).[28][29][30]

International reactions
Supranational bodies
EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy Federica Mogherini urged the parties "to stop the fighting
immediately and observe the ceasefire".[31]
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demanded all sides involved in the
conflict to immediately cease all armed hostilities and observe the terms of
ceasefire.[32]
PACE President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Pedro Agramunt called on both sides to respect the ceasefire and resume
peaceful negotiations. He also called for the withdrawal of all Armenian
armed troops from occupied Azerbaijani territories in compliance with the UN
Security Council resolutions.[33]
OIC The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned "the attack by
Armenian forces on the borders of occupied Azerbaijani territories" and
Yerevans "disrespect of the unilateral ceasefire" announced by Baku.[34]
CSTO - A spokesman for the head of the CSTO, Nikolay Bordyuzha, stated that
the conflict must be settled through negotiations. Bordyuzha added that the
Azerbaijani side is "leading to the escalation of the situation and the conflict".
[35]
OSCE Minsk Group and co-chair countries
OSCE Minsk Group The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group expressed
"grave concern over the reported large-scale ceasefire violations that are
taking place along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone"
and strongly condemned "the use of force and regret the senseless loss of
life, including civilians".[36] The OSCE Minsk Group scheduled to have a
meeting on April 5 in Vienna over the incidents.[37]
United States The State Department condemned ceasefire violations and
urged the sides to "show restraint, avoid further escalation, and strictly
adhere to the ceasefire." Their statement continued, "The unstable situation
on the ground demonstrates why the sides must enter into an immediate
negotiation under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on a
comprehensive settlement of the conflict. We reiterate that there is no

military solution to the conflict. As a co-chair country, the United States is

firmly committed to working with the sides to reach a lasting and negotiated
peace."[38]
Russia President Vladimir Putin called on both sides to end hostilities and
show restraint.[39]
Other states
Belarus The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties to continue
seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict "in accordance with the generally
recognized principles and norms of international law, first of all, on the basis
of respect and guaranteeing of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and
inviolability of borders, as well as the relevant UN Security Council resolutions
and decisions of the OSCE". The Belarusian ambassador to Armenia was
summoned to be informed that Yerevan was "deeply bewildered" by this
statement which "does not correspond to the spirit of the ArmenianBelarusian relations" and "is detrimental to the negotiation process".[40][41]
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko insisted that both sides should
seek a peaceful dialogue.[42]
Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs Stphane Dion called on all sides to show
restraint, immediately return to a true ceasefire, and actively resume
dialogue within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group. "Canada firmly believes
that there is no alternative to a peaceful, negotiated solution to this conflict,"
Minister Dion said in a statement.[43][44]
Cyprus - Foreign Ministry statement accused Azerbaijan in violations of the
armistice line and urged Azerbaijan to "respect the status quo ante."[45]
Georgia Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed concern over the
recent developments in the region and expressed hope that the international
community's efforts will help to de-escalate the situation.[46] In a telephone
call with her Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov, Defense Minister Tinatin
Khidasheli reaffirmed Georgia's support of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
[47]
Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on both sides to
immediately stop fighting and to fully respect the ceasefire.[48]
Greece The Foreign Ministry expressed concern and called on the two sides
to "exercise restraint and composure in order to return, as soon as possible,
to the process of dialogue within the framework of the Minsk Group."[49]
Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari called for both sides
to "refrain from any manner or action" which could "worsen the situation." He
added that Iran recommends a cessation of hostilities by reaching a peaceful

solution within the framework of United Nations regulations, while he further

underlined that, as the region has been the scene of "destructive actions" by
extremist groups, such clashes arouse "severe concerns" for Iran.[50]
Kazakhstan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern with the
recent escalation of violence and called on the parties to abide by the
ceasefire agreement.[51]
Latvia The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both sides to stop the
hostilities immediately and resume the ceasefire, expressing regret over
casualties and deaths and conveying condolences to the families of those
killed.[52]
Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs Brge Brende called the clashes an
"unacceptable military escalation".[53]
Pakistan Secretary to Pakistan president, Ahmad Farooq, said "Pakistan
always stands by Azerbaijan" and that "Azerbaijan is a brotherly and friendly
country."[54]
Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland called on parties of conflict to
cease military operations in region and return to peace talks initiated in 1994.
Poland called also to recognize territorial dispute by diplomatic and political
negotiations including OSCE Minsk group mediation format.[55]
Romania Romania urges to resume diplomatic efforts to resolve Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. Foreign Ministry of Romania expressed concern over the
escalation in Nagorno Karabakh. Romanian Foreign Ministry urged to
immediate cessation of hostilities. "Resumption of diplomatic efforts is
necessary for peaceful settlement."[56]
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoan called his Azerbaijani counterpart
Ilham Aliyev to pay condolences for the "martyred" soldiers.[57] The Ministry
of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning what they claimed was an
Armenian attack on civilians and calling on Armenia to comply with the
ceasefire.[58] He also announced his country's support to Azerbaijan in the
Nagorno-Karabakh border clashes, saying "Turkey backs the Azeris 'to the
end' against Armenia".[59]
United Kingdom Minister for Europe David Lidington expressed concern
about increased violence and urged both sides "to engage constructively and
intensively in the search for a negotiated peaceful settlement through the
Minsk Group process."[60]
References
Jump up ^ " ". Interfax.

Retrieved 4 April 2016.

Jump up ^ "Karabakh Casualties Report: 20 Armenians KIA, 26 missing Karabakh - ArmeniaNow.com".
^ Jump up to: a b "Karabakh: Five killed as Armenian volunteers bus comes
under Azeri fire - Karabakh | ArmeniaNow.com". armenianow.com. Retrieved
2016-04-05.
^ Jump up to: a b c "18 Armenian, 12 Azerbaijani troops killed in fighting". 2
April 2016.
Jump up ^ AzerNews. "Armenia loses another 3 tanks, 30 servicemen UPDATE (VIDEO)". AzerNews.
Jump up ^ Sputnik (4 April 2016). "Three Azerbaijani Tanks Destroyed in
Morning Karabakh Battle - Armenian MoD".
Jump up ^ . Haqqin.az
Jump up ^ Aida Sultanova-AP (4 April 2016). "Azerbaijan says 3 killed in
fighting with separatist region". Washington Post.
Jump up ^ "200 Azerbaijani soldiers eliminated: NKR Defense Army".
ARMENPRESS. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Russia doesnt accuse Turkey of Karabakh escalation: Lavrov".
PanARMENIAN.Net. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "General Assembly adopts resolution reaffirming territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, demanding withdrawal of all Armenian forces". United
Nations. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 30 Aug 2015.
Jump up ^ "NKR Defence Ministrys Statement". NKRmil.am.
Jump up ^ " :
". Komsomolskaya Pravda (in Russian). 2 April 2016. Retrieved
2 April 2016.
^ Jump up to: a b "Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Situation Report No. 1 (as of 03
Apr 2016)". ReliefWeb. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "(02/04/16 [10:25]) Press release". NKRmil.am. Retrieved 4 April
2016.
^ Jump up to: a b "Cbhd vziyytl bal son mlumat" (in Azerbaijani).
Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
^ Jump up to: a b " 12

 " (in Russian). TASS. 2 April 2016.

Retrieved 2 April 2016.
^ Jump up to: a b "Heavy Fighting Erupts in Nagorny-Karabakh". Georgia
Today on the Web.
Jump up ^ "Azerbaijan, Armenia forces clash as Putin urges ceasefire".
Jump up ^ "Large-Scale Fighting Reported In Karabakh." RFE/RL. April 2,
2016.
Jump up ^ "Heavy Fighting Continues In Karabakh." RFE/RL. April 3, 2016.
Jump up ^ " : "
"". Haqqin.az.
Jump up ^ "Azerbaijan claims cease fire in Nagorny-Karabakh, Armenia says
hostilities continue". rt.com. 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ ":
" (in Russian). Haqqin.az. 3 April 2016.
Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "
" (in Russian). Haqqin.az. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Mortar Shells from Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Hit Northeastern
Iran". Tasnim. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^
. Caucasian Knot. 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Azerbaijani Soldiers Execute Elderly Armenian Couple in Artsakh;
Then Cut Off Their Ears" (in Armenian). HETQ.am. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ " . Hetq.am (18+)
()" (in Armenian). News.am. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "
" (in Armenian). The Office to the President of the
Republic of Armenia. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
` , 92-
: [Elderly civilians, including 92-year-old resident, were brutally
killed in their homes.]
Jump up ^ "Top EU Diplomat Mogherini Calls for End to Fighting in NagornoKarabakh". Sputnik News. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "

" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "PACE President calls for respect of cease fire in NagornoKarabakh". PACE. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Nagorny Karabakh clashes continue despite Azerbaijan
ceasefire". The Citizen. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "CSTO Chief Blames Baku For Escalation In Karabakh". Azadutyun.
2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "OSCE Minsk Group Calls for Ending Hostilities in NagornoKarabakh (VIDEO)". Sputnik News. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "OSCE Minsk Group to Discuss Nagorno-Karabakh Escalated
Tensions on April 5". Sputnik International. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April
2016.
Jump up ^ "United States Condemns Ceasefire Violations Along NagornoKarabakh Line of Contact". U.S. Department of State.
Jump up ^ Nathan Hodge (3 April 2016). "U.S., Russia Call for Restraint After
Outbreak of Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh". WSJ.
Jump up ^ "Yerevan is dissatisfied with Minsk's support for Azerbaijan's
territorial integrity". Vestnik Kavkaza. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Yerevan bewildered over Belarus position on Karabakh conflict".
Arka.am. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Lukashenko calls for dialogue between Nagorny Karabakh conflict
parties". Belarus News. 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Canada calls for true ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh".
armenpress.am. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Canada calls for restraint in Nagorno-Karabakh". trend.az. 4 April
2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIR".
Jump up ^ "Tbilisi Concerned Over Heavy Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh".
Civil Georgia. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "
". Rosbalt.
Jump up ^ "Conflicting Reports on Number of Casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh
Fighting". Haaretz.com.

Jump up ^ "Foreign Ministry announcement on the recent incidents in

Nagorno-Karabakh".
Jump up ^ "PressTV". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "
" (in Russian). Vestnik Kavkaza. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3
April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Riga Calls on Baku, Yerevan to Refrain From Conflict Escalation in
Karabakh". Sputnik News. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "
" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Pakistan always stands by Azerbaijan, says high-ranking official".
azernews.az. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Poland prioritizes stabilization of situation in Nagorno Karabakh
conflict zone". armenpress.am. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Romania urges to resume diplomatic efforts to resolve Nagorno
Karabakh conflict". armenpress.am. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Azerbaijan retakes land occupied by Armenia". Anadolu Agency.
Jump up ^ "No: 82, 2 Nisan 2016, Temas Hattnda ve Azerbaycan-Ermenistan
Snr Hattnda Devam Eden atmalar Hk.". T.C. Dileri Bakanl.
Jump up ^ "Nagorno-Karabakh clash: Turkey backs Azeris 'to the end' against
Armenia - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
Jump up ^ "Minister for Europe statement on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict".
Flag of Armenia.svgArmenia portal Flag of Azerbaijan.svgAzerbaijan portal
Waricon.svgMilitary history portal Samsung Galaxy S5 Vector.svg2010s portal
[show] v t e Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Categories: Nagorno-Karabakh conflictConflicts in 20162016 in Armenia2016
in AzerbaijanBattles involving AzerbaijanBattles involving ArmeniaBattles
involving the Nagorno-Karabakh RepublicBattles post-1945
Navigation menu
Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog inArticleTalkReadView
sourceView history

Search
Go
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book

Download as PDF
Printable version
Languages

Azrbaycanca

Deutsch
Eesti

Franais

/ srpski
Trke

Edit links
This page was last modified on 5 April 2016, at 00:37.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;
additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use
and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policyAbout WikipediaDisclaimersContact WikipediaDevelopersCookie
statementMobile view