Intense Gunfire from Azerbaijani Armed Forces Directed at Armenian Military Positions: Human Rights Defender

Today, on July 23, 2021, the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia received reports that the Azerbaijani armed forces are firing shots near the villages of Kut, Sotk, and Azat in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia. Gunfire is audible in the villages of Kut, Sotk, and Azat. This was announced by the office of the Human Rights Defender.

“According to information received, the gunfire started at around 17:00 and continues intermittently even at this moment, using various calibers of weapons, and is directed at the positions of the Armenian armed forces. Moreover, the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are located immediately next to the village of Kut, approximately 3 km away, within the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia particularly notes that the Azerbaijani gunfire is of a criminal nature, posing a real threat to the life and health of the civilian population, as well as to other vital rights. It violates the tranquility and peaceful life of civilians. The criminal nature of the gunfire is evident in other border sections of Armenia, against the backdrop of gunfire provoked by the Azerbaijani armed forces near residential areas, and is further evidenced by the fact that three servicemen of the Armenian armed forces were injured today due to the recurrent gunfire in the Kut area,” the Defender's office reported.