BAKU, May 16 (Xinhua) — Azerbaijan Sunday launched a large-scale military exercise as the country was in a border tension with Armenia, according to the country's defense ministry.
Over 15,000 military personnel, 300 tanks and other armored vehicles, 400 missiles and artillery systems and 50 military aircraft will involve in the drills, which will last till May 20 in the country, said the ministry in a statement.
The exercise, in accordance with a plan approved by the president of Azerbaijan, aims to improve the army's combat readiness, coordination and interoperability among different units, said the statement.
Earlier this week, Armenia accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing the southern border and advancing more than three kilometres into Armenia's Syunik region.
Azerbaijan denied the allegations, saying Azerbaijan was enforcing its own border and is committed to easing tensions in the region.
Both countries said the peaceful negotiations to deescalate the tension was still going on Sunday.