US concerned over situation around Karabakh - spokesman

The United States is concerned over the situation in the Karabakh region and calls for reducing tensions, US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement on August 3.

"The United States is deeply concerned by and closely following reports of intensive fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh, including casualties and the loss of life. We urge immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation," the statement reads.

He added that the recent increase in tensions underscores the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Karabakh conflict.

As a result of the retaliatory operation "Revenge" carried out by the units of the Azerbaijani army on August 3, the heights of "Gyrkhgyz", "Sarybaba" and a number of other important dominant heights along the Karabakh ridge of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain chain were taken under control. 

Within the framework of the operation, several combat positions of illegal Armenian armed formations were destroyed, and an air strike was carried out on a military unit in the settlement of Yukhara Oratagh of the former Aghdere region.

Four members of illegal Armenian armed groups have been killed, and 15 have been wounded in the Azerbaijani territories temporarily monitored by the Russian peacekeepers in the Karabakh region. Several D-30 howitzers, military vehicles and a large amount of ammunition were also destroyed. 

The Republic of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the presence of the armed forces of Armenia and illegal Armenian armed formations in the territories of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, contrary to the tripartite statement, is a source of danger. The demilitarization of these territories, the complete withdrawal of Armenian troops from there and the disarmament of illegal Armenian armed formations were absolutely inevitable.