2010 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes


The February 2010 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes were a series of exchanges of gunfire that took place on February 18 on the line of contact dividing Azerbaijani and the Karabakh Armenian military forces. Azerbaijan accused the Armenian forces of firing on the Azerbaijani positions near Tap Qaraqoyunlu, Qızıloba, Qapanlı, Yusifcanlı and Cavahirli villages, as well as in uplands of Agdam Rayon with small arms fire including snipers. As a result, three Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and one wounded.
The engagement became the second deadliest ceasefire violation since 1994, after the 2008 Mardakert clashes.

Incidents

The incidents embraced two regions in Nagorno-Karabakh and one region out of it. Azerbaijani sources claim that on 13:00 local time the Karabakh Armenian military fired from Talysh towards the Azerbaijani positions in Tap Qaraqoyunlu. Accordingly, at 15:00 Armenian troops allegedly opened fire from Agdam Rayon, killing one Azeri soldier. After some time the shooting achieved a large-scale character and continued until evening. According to the Azerbaijani side, Karabakh Armenian troops withdrew with losses.

Casualties

Following the incidents the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the names of those killed: Private Sahil Mammadov, Corporal Royal Farajov, Private Davud Rustamov. Private Elvin Adigozalov was wounded.
Although the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense estimated Armenian casualties to be "not less than ours", Armenian military spokesman Senor Hasratian denied that the Armenian side had sustained any casualties.

International reaction