Clashes intensify in Karabakh; Azerbaijan claims advances

Intense fighting rages on between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Karabakh region, with Baku claiming to have captured a string of villages in heavy clashes over the mountain enclave.

As fierce clashes between the two South Caucasus neighbors entered the eighth day on Sunday, local sources reported new strikes followed by several explosions in Khankendi, the main city of the breakaway region of Karabakh.

Azerbaijani authorities said they took “retaliatory measures” after rocket fire by Armenia-backed troops from the city which Armenians call Stepanakert. 

Azerbaijan also said that the country’s second-largest city Ganja – near the Armenian border but far from the scene of clashes in Karabakh – was “under fire” from Armenian forces. 

In statements posted on its website, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said Ganja, a city of more than 330,000 in western Azerbaijan, and several other civilian areas were under fire from rockets and shelling. 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev announced a day earlier that his country’s armed forces had seized control over seven villages in regions adjacent to Karabakh.

“Today Azerbaijan’s Army has liberated Talish village of Terter district, Mehdili, Chaxirli, Ashagi Maralyan, Sheybey and Guyjag of Jabrayil district, and Ashagi Abdurrahmanli of Fizuli district,” he said.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry also confirmed the announcement and said the forces had “captured new footholds” in the disputed region.

Earlier on Saturday, Aliyev announced that Azerbaijani forces had taken control over the village of Madagiz, a strategic hamlet within firing range of an important northern road.