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The Armenian Ministry of Defense issued a statement referring to Azerbaijani shelling in the direction of Tavush Province on Sunday and Monday.

According to the statement, on 12 July, at around 12:30pm local time, for unknown reasons, the Azerbaijani troops moving in an UAZ vehicle tried to cross the Armenian state border. After warning shots from the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani soldiers left their vehicle behind and retreated to their positions.

At around 1:45pm Azerbaijani troops once again tried to capture the Armenian border position, opening artillery fire at it, but they were forced to retreat, suffering losses, the Defense Ministry said.

Later in the day the Azerbaijani military resumed the shelling of the same Armenian position, employing 82 mm mortars and a tank.

The shootings continued through Sunday night periodically with different intensity, the ministry said, adding all Azerbaijani attempts were neutralized by the Armenian army units.

The Azerbaijani troops resumed the shelling of the Armenian military outposts in Tavush Province on Monday morning.

“The Armenian Armed Forces retaliated adequately,” the ministry said, adding there were no casualties among Armenian servicemen.

Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan is in constant contact with Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the ministry said.

The Armenian defense chief has informed the CSTO official that the personnel and command of the Armenian army are instructed to remain restrained for the time being, and in case of Azerbaijani provocations on the borders of the Republic of Armenia, react as necessary, up to the capture of new advantageous positions.

The Armenian Armed Forces do not fire in the direction of Azerbaijani settlements. Only engineering infrastructure and military equipment are being targeted, the statement added.

“The political and military leadership of Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for its losses and the consequences of the escalation of the situation,” the statement concluded.