Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry warned Armenia against shelling civilians in a statement on January 4.

The ministry said units of Armenian armed forces targeted positions of the Azerbaijani army, as well as settlements in the vicinity of the contact line on January 3, using large-caliber guns, anti-tank rocket launchers and mortars.

"The shelling of villages and civilians has forced the Azerbaijani side to give an adequate and tough response using all available military capabilities,” the ministry said. 

The ministry warned that responsibility for the escalation of tensions will lie with the Armenian side.

"All this will lead to even more severe and palpable losses of the Armenian armed forces and the responsibility lies entirely with the Armenian leadership. Azerbaijani armed forces are fully prepared to liberate the occupied territories."

 

(Azernews.az)