Azerbaijan seizes localities in conflict

YEREVAN: Azerbaijan has captured multiple localities in NagornoKarabakh in its conflict with Armenia over the disputed region, said both sides and regional authorities yesterday.

Azerbaijan has succeeded in shifting the front deeper into the conflict region, said Arayik Harutyunyan, regional leader of Nagorno- Karabakh.

Armenia’s military confirmed Azerbaijan’s forces managed to bring further areas under its control, marking Yerevan’s first official concession of its opponent’s advance. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev tweeted that his country’s military had captured eight villages. The Azerbaijani army has taken 45 localities in Nagorno- Karabkh.

Nagorno- Karabakh is controlled by Armenian forces but recognised by the UN as part of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan.