Azerbaijan confirms recovery of 5 bodies from frontline

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Bodies of five Azerbaijani soldiers martyred during a border clash on Feb. 24 have been recovered in the presence of international mediators, according to the Defense Ministry on Monday.

Earlier, the ministry said Armenia had violated the procedure and asked for "unacceptable" conditions for the recovery of bodies.

The bodies of the martyred soldiers were found under the mediation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Clashes in Karabakh region, which pro-Armenian militia occupied in 1993, are nothing new.

In April 2016, more than 270 military personnel lost their lives in the worst-ever breach of a 1994 treaty between the sides, according to the Defense Ministry.

Three UN Security Council Resolutions (853, 874 and 884), and United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 19/13 and 57/298 refer to Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refers to the region as occupied by Armenian forces.

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Bodies of five Azerbaijani soldiers martyred during a border clash on Feb. 24 have been recovered in the presence of international mediators, according to the Defense Ministry on Monday.

Earlier, the ministry said Armenia had violated the procedure and asked for "unacceptable" conditions for the recovery of bodies.

The bodies of the martyred soldiers were found under the mediation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Clashes in Karabakh region, which pro-Armenian militia occupied in 1993, are nothing new.

In April 2016, more than 270 military personnel lost their lives in the worst-ever breach of a 1994 treaty between the sides, according to the Defense Ministry.