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Azerbaijan seeks to force Armenians out of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard communities of Artsakh’s Martuni region, which would lead to the withdrawal of Artsakh forces from the area, MP Tigran Abrahamyan from the opposition With Honor faction said on Friday.

His comments came after Azerbaijani forces opened fire at the houses of civilians in the two communities early on Friday morning, damaging the windows, walls and roofs of their homes.

“It’s noteworthy that Azerbaijan repeatedly resorts to acts of aggression in various sections of the line of contact, but they are more pronounced in the villages of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard because they are close to a key junction leading to Shushi,” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook.

“The main infrastructures of Azerbaijan, which are being built near Shushi, pass through the upper part of the two villages, in the observation area of the Defense Army, thus Azerbaijan seeks to push Armenians out of the settlements, which would lead to the withdrawal of the Defense Army positions.

“Azerbaijan's attacks are systematic, which can be neutralized or minimized if Russia intervenes. As a rule, the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh reacts swiftly to such incidents, but this issue requires fundamental solutions, otherwise the security and normal life of civilians will be under constant threat,” he said.