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At least 26 more soldiers have died in a second day of clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over disputed territory. So far, 59 soldiers have died in the two-day conflict, Reuters reported.
Hundreds more have been injured in clashes between the two countries since 2016 in the South Caucasus region, which is important for supplying oil and gas to international markets. The two countries blame each other for the heavy bombardment of the conflict.
The two countries of the former Soviet Union have been at odds over the Nagorno-Karabakh region for decades. Separated from Azerbaijan, the area of approximately four thousand five hundred square kilometers is now under Armenian control.
Earlier, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister announced a limited military operation after reports that six civilians had been killed and 19 injured in clashes in the region.
Meanwhile, the Interfax news agency quoted a representative from the Armenian Defense Ministry as saying that 200 Armenians had been injured in the clashes.
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities say 16 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and more than 100 wounded in air and artillery strikes.
