Peacemakers intervene in confrontation in Gadrut District

The hostilities in the area of two villages in the Gadrut District have been stopped; and Russian peacemakers have arrived there. Azerbaijani militaries have managed to establish control over the village of Khin Takher, the head of the neighbouring Armenian village of Khtsaberd has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported citing the Nagorno-Karabakh's Ministry of Defence (MoD) that in the evening on December 11, a shootout with Azerbaijani militaries occurred in the Gadrut direction. Three Karabakh soldiers were wounded. The Russian MoD has confirmed that the December 11 shootout in the Gadrut District was the first case of ceasefire violation. On December 12, the Nagorno-Karabakh Defence Army announced that Azerbaijani militaries had resumed their offensive on two Armenian villages – Khtsaberd (the Azerbaijani name is Chailakkala) and Khin Takher (In Takhlar).

Vaan Saadyan, the head of the district administration, said that the hostilities had already been stopped; the peacemakers had arrived in the villages of Khtsaberd and Khin Takher. "Now, the investigation is underway to find those who violated the ceasefire," Mr Saadyan was quoted by the "Sputnik Armenia" as saying.

Moscow has demanded from the parties in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to observe the complete ceasefire regime, the "Sputnik Armenia" has added, citing an official from the headquarters of the Russian peacemaking forces.

Armenian militaries have left Khin Takher, Alexander Avanesyan, the head of the Khtsaberd village community, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at 8:10 p.m. "The Khin Takher community has been captured by Azerbaijanis; and the Khtsaberd community is surrounded on all sides," he said, adding that "the Russian peacemaking contingent is at its posts and doesn't interfere."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 12, 2020 at 08:25 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.