File image.
An Armenian border guard and another from Azerbaijan were wounded on June 15 as a result of an exchange of fire at the entrance to the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In a statement, Armenia’s National Security Service said that a group of Azerbaijani border guards had attempted to cross a bridge over the Hakari river, which marks the internationally-recognized border between the two countries, and hoist a flag on Armenian territory. The service added that the attempt had been thwarted.
The bridge lies at the start of the Lachin corridor, the last remaining route linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, which is mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians. The key corridor is policed by Russian peacekeepers.
Footage that surfaced online showed Azerbaijani border guards coming under fire while attempting to hoist their flag. The border guards were accompanied by a number of Russian peacekeepers.
After the Armenian attack, Azerbaijan closed the Lachin corridor, preventing Armenians from leaving or entering Nagorno-Karabakh.
TASS cited Azerbaijan’s border service as saying one of its guards was wounded in the attack. Later, the Russian news agency quoted the Armenian border service as saying that one of its guards had been wounded during Azerbaijani shelling of a village close to the bridge.
The Lachin corridor has been blocked to most traffic since December, after Azerbaijani civilians identifying themselves as environmental activists began a blockade.
Tension remained high between Armenia and Azerbaijan after the Nagorno-Karabakh war of 2020. The deployment of Russian peacekeepers helped prevent any further escalation. However, the two countries are yet to reach a settlement and end the conflict.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
