According to the Artsakh government, Azerbaijani armed forces have continued their movement and aggressive actions in various directions of the Karaglukh height. There have been multiple exchanges of fire; according to the official statement, the operations of an incursionary nature have been halted.
“The tactical situation in that section of the line of contact continues to remain tense; efforts are being made with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to stabilise the situation. In the other sections of the line of contact, the situation is calm,” they report from Artsakh.
In Khramort, the soldiers of the Defence Army are ready to resist possible provocations by Azerbaijan; local residents have also formed a self-defence unit — this was reported by civilnet.am.
It was noted that the Azerbaijanis had advanced in the direction of the village of Parukh and taken certain points under their control: “They have taken a height that holds a dominant position over the neighbouring villages of Noragyugh and Khanabad.”
For its part, the Artsakh Information Headquarters reported that the peacekeepers are at their positions and negotiations are continuing.
“We inform you that the maintenance of the line of contact in the direction of the settlements of Parukh and Khramort in the Askeran district, and the provision of security for the civilian population living in those communities, falls within the purview of the mission of the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed in the Republic of Artsakh,” the Artsakh Information Headquarters reports.
It had been reported earlier as well that Azerbaijani units on Saturday morning again resorted to aggressive actions, attempting to secure an advance in the direction of the eastern border zone, within the territory under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, using firearms of various calibres.
“Steps are being taken to find ways of resolving the situation with the command of the peacekeeping contingent,” the statement said. The Armenian side also denied the claim of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence that the Defence Army had made an attempt at incursion against units of the Azerbaijani army in the morning.
For their safety, the women and children of the village of Khramort, neighbouring Parukh, have been evacuated. Later, the Artsakh Information Headquarters announced that the situation created in the direction of the settlements of Parukh and Khramort in the Askeran district is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Nevertheless, according to a statement by the Artsakh Defence Army, an exchange of fire took place between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces on the night of 24 March; 5 soldiers were wounded on the Armenian side, and the Azerbaijani side has 5 casualties.
