Nagorno-Karabakh treats the silence in conflict zone as unprecedented

The number of violations by Azerbaijan of the ceasefire regime has dramatically decreased, Levon Mnatsakanyan, the head of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), has stated. However, today the parties have exchanged threats of attacks on civilian objects.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are regularly accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Thus, on Tuesday, Azerbaijan counted 87 shelling episodes from the Armenian side; and on July 21, the NKR counted about 150 bombardments of its positions by Azerbaijan during the week of July 15-21.

"On July 23, there were about 200 shots. It has never been do calm on the front line," the "Sputnik-Armenia" quotes Mr Mnatsakanyan as saying.

He noted that "the Azerbaijani leadership continues its militaristic statements," and since March, the have been conducting active military activities, including exercises.

The NKR's Defence Minister has added that escalation in the conflict zone could occur "in September-October," the "tert.am" reports.

In his opinion, his armed forces can, if necessary, attack the Mingechaur Reservoir in Azerbaijan, or some economic facilities in the country, but "so far, there is no reason to do it," the "News.am" reports.

In its turn, the Azerbaijani MoD has stated that its army is ready for any development of events, reminding that "there are objects in Armenia, after the destruction of which there will be no life there for centuries."