10 Azerbaijani civilians die in mine blasts since truce

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Mine explosions in the recently liberated Upper Karabakh region have killed 10 Azerbaijani civilians since a truce was signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia last November, according to Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

In addition to the civilians being killed by Armenian forces, the office said 11 civilians were also injured in the explosions.

It cautioned civilians from entering liberated areas until the region is cleared of mines.

Liberation of Karabakh

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27 the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade-long occupation during the 44-day conflict.

Despite a Nov. 10 deal ending the conflict, the Armenian army several times violated the agreement and martyred several Azerbaijani soldiers and a civilian, as well as wounded several others, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.