Azerbaijani army units deployed near the Armenian-occupiedterritory have been put on high alert with artillery and missile systems aimedat enemy positions, APA news agency said, citing its reporters in the area.

“The artillery divisions of the army have been placed on highalert, and are waiting for an order,” APA said. “Cannons, mortars,multiple-rocket launchers and self-propelled artillery systems are aimed at thefront-line and rear positions of the enemy.”

APA said the Azerbaijani army used mortars and D-30 howitzers todestroy enemy positions during the skirmishes of August 1-2 in Tartar District.

Al least 13 Azerbaijani troops were confirmed killed during theclashes. Although Armenia said it lost only four of its soldiers, Azerbaijansaid the enemy casualties were much higher.

Armenians seized nearly one-fifth of Azerbaijan's internationally-recognizedterritory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, in a warafter the Soviet breakup in 1991.

As many as 20 Azerbaijanis were killed and over a milliondisplaced before the ceasefire was brokered in May 1994.

Azerbaijan says it reserves the right to use force to regaincontrol of its territory should peace efforts mediated by the US, Russia andFrance fail.

Bakudaily.az