As State Secretary Antony Blinken continually emphasizes, the United States is committed to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a regular briefing, Report informs.
"So, we are concerned by the reports of deadly military-to-military clashes which resulted in several casualties. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and injured. The use of force undermines negotiations. The only way to a sustainable peace is at the negotiating table. Any ceasefire violations should be investigated and properly addressed," he said.
On February 12, the Armenian Armed Forces fired at the positions of Azerbaijan’s State Border Service in the direction of the Kollugishlaq village in the Zangilan district, as a result of which serviceman Parviz Khalilzade was injured.
On the same day, at 20:50 and at 23:40 local time, units of the Armenian armed forces from positions located in the direction of the settlement of Chinarli, Tovuzgali district, fired from small arms at the positions of the Azerbaijan Army in the direction of the settlement of Kokhanabi, Tovuz district.
Later, on February 13, units of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan carried out a retaliation operation in response to the provocation of the Armenian armed forces. As a result of the operation, a combat post of the Armenian Armed Forces near the settlement of Nerkin-And in the Kapan region was completely destroyed, from where on February 12 the Armenian Armed Forces fired at the positions of the troops of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, as a result of which an Azerbaijani serviceman was wounded.
The Armenian Ministry of Defense admitted that four of its servicemen were killed and another was wounded.