09:21, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities are generating fake news targeting the Armenian military, the Ministry of Defense has warned.

The Azeri Defense Ministry, in its latest statement, falsely accused the Armenian military of opening fire at Azeri posts.

“The statement issued by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, alleging that between 20:50 and 23:40 on February 12, the units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia fired in the direction of Azerbaijani positions situated in the northeastern part of the border, is untrue,” the Ministry of Defense said.

 10:21, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Azeri shooting targeting an Armenian position in Syunik stopped as of 09:30, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

“As of 9:30 a.m., the firing by Azerbaijani armed forces on Armenian combat positions in the vicinity of Nerkin Hand (Syunik Province) has ceased.
“The Ministry of Defence urges partner media outlets not to disseminate unverified information, to refrain from referencing individuals with insufficient and inaccurate frontline information, and to rely on official reports from the MoD.
“The Ministry of Defence will issue additional official statements regarding Armenian casualties and the health condition of the wounded,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

According to preliminary reports, 2 Armenian soldiers were killed and others were wounded in the Azeri shooting targeting a military position in Syunik province.

 12:34, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. 4 Armenian soldiers were killed and another was wounded in the February 13 Azerbaijani gunfire attack at an Armenian position in Syunik province.

The 1 wounded soldier is currently in non-life-threatening condition, the defense ministry said. 

The Azeri forces opened fire at the Armenian post near Nerkin Hand in Syunik in the early morning of February 13.

 13:54, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions showcase that it is seeking pretexts to escalate the situation on the border, the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement after the Azeri military killed 4 Armenian troops in Syunik province.

“The Armenian side has 4 casualties and 1 wounded as a result of a new provocation and use of force by the Azerbaijani armed forces near Nerkin Hand community, Kapan municipality of Syunik province of the Republic of Armenia. Despite the February 12 statement released by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia that the images and information released by Azerbaijani media on the same day alleging that Armenian border troops wounded an Azerbaijani soldier is under investigation, nevertheless the Azerbaijani side took aggressive actions in the morning of February 13. This showcases that Azerbaijan is seeking pretexts to commit border escalations. These actions of use of force were preceded by the belligerent statements of the Azerbaijani military-political leadership, as well as the latest information-propaganda preparations. The Azerbaijani leadership is continuously attempting to derail the efforts of the actors interested in the stability and security in South Caucasus to resume the negotiations aimed at the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s actions of resorting to military provocations, and we call for refraining from destabilizing steps, and a return to negotiations. We once again reiterate the previously stated proposals of the Armenian side on implementing reliable measures to increase border security,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

 14:02, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Locals in the Armenian village of Nerkin Hand in Syunik were terrorized by the Azeri shooting Tuesday morning, the Human Rights Defender’s Office said in a statement.

The Ombudsperson’s Office is studying the impact of the Azeri gunfire of February 13 in Syunik in terms of violations of human rights of the civilians.

Multiple local residents told the Human Rights Defender’s Office that they personally heard the gunshots, which left them in panic and terror, as well as uncertainty.

The Ombudsperson’s office said that the Azeri gunfire disrupted the fundamental rights of the civilian population, such as the right to life, right to live safely and others rights. 

The Azeri military’s actions pose a real danger in terms of ensuring the rights of the locals.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded in the morning of February 13 when Azerbaijani forces opened fire at a border post in Syunik.

 14:18, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia released the names of the 4 soldiers who were killed in action in Syunik when Azerbaijani forces opened gunfire at their post near Nerkin Hand.

The names of the fallen troops: Eduard H. Harutyunyan (born 1974), Gagik V. Manukyan (born 1982), Arsen G. Hambardzumyan (born 1979), Hrachya T. Hovhannisyan (born 1957).

The Ministry of Defense extended condolences to the families and friends of the fallen troops.

 15:17, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić has expressed concern on what she described as “exchange of fire” along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border after Azeri forces shot and killed 4 Armenian troops in Syunik province.

“Concerned about reports of exchange of fire along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Call on both sides to abstain from the use of force. Dialogue is the only way to lasting peace,” Marija Pejčinović Burić said in a post on X.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded in the early morning of February 13 when Azerbaijani forces opened gunfire at a military position near Nerkin Hand, Syunik Province.

 16:06, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Vice President of the European Commission, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell held a meeting on February 13 in Brussels ahead of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council meeting.

Views were exchanged around Armenia-EU Partnership agenda issues, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The course of implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), democratic developments in Armenia, as well as the joint steps implemented for developing partnership in new directions and the existing prospects were also discussed.

The security issues in the South Caucasus were discussed.

The February 13 Azerbaijani military provocation in Syunik Province, Armenia was also discussed. FM Mirzoyan emphasized that the provocation once again showcases that Azerbaijan is seeking pretexts to escalate the situation on the border and is continuously attempting to derail the efforts of the actors interested in stability and security in the South Caucasus aimed at resuming the talks. The suppression of further actions aimed at destabilization in the South Caucasus was highlighted.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded when Azerbaijani forces opened gunfire at an Armenian military post in Syunik province on February 13.

 16:29, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Committee of Armenia has opened a criminal case on hate-fueled murder and attempted murder after Azerbaijani forces shot and killed 4 Armenian soldiers in Syunik Province on February 13.  Another soldier was wounded in the shooting.

In a statement, the Investigative Committee said the Azerbaijani troops were motivated by racial, ethnic or national hatred when they murdered the 4 Armenian troops near Nerkin Hand, Syunik.

“A preliminary investigation is underway. The necessary and urgent investigative and other procedural actions are being taken,” the Investigative Committee added.