The Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) Defense Army has never targeted peaceful settlements, as it is specific to our adversary, and the target of our hit has been and will be solely the military bases from where the enemy fires at Armenian frontlines. 

Artsakh Defense Minister and Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan told the abovementioned to Interfax news agency, as he commented on the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense (MOD) statement that accuses the NKR of shelling an Azerbaijani peaceful settlement and killing civilians, on Tuesday.

In his words, even though the Artsakh army has never been the first to launch an attack, it is always ready to rein in the adversary’s provocations, and with actions in response.

“As for the statement disseminated by Azerbaijan that, allegedly, the Armenian army bombarded Alkhanlu settlement [of Azerbaijan] and became the cause of the death of civilians on July 4, this is nothing more than a cynical work style to mislead the international community at the expense of the blood of its own innocent citizens,” Mnatsakanyan noted, in particular. “By hiding behind its own population and turning the latter into a human shield, the adversary grossly violates the norms of international law. 

“The Karabakh armed forces will continue to make full use of its right to defend, and, if needed, to give a targeted and disproportionate response to the attacks by the adversary.

“At the same time, we advise the Azerbaijani side to refrain from future military adventure that is fraught with unpredictable consequences and to seek the resolution of the matter at the negotiating table, especially since such an approach stems from the interests of the two peoples.”

On Tuesday evening, the Azerbaijani forces, which are located nearby Alkhanlu village, opened fire on positions of Karabakh Defense Army. A 52-year-old Azerbaijani woman and a 2-year-old girl died in the ensuing exchange of fire.