Armenian armed forces fired rockets into the Azerbaijani city of Ganja from Armenia.
The statement came from Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration.
It was stated that the Armenian armed forces deliberately and purposefully fired on the city of Tartar and the city of Horadiz in the Fizuli region using heavy artillery and missiles. Again, rockets were fired from the territory of Armenia in the direction of Fizuli and Jabrayil regions of Azerbaijan.
"As a result of these attacks by Armenia, some civilians have been killed and injured. In recent days, Armenia has fired more than 10,000 different types of shells and missiles at densely populated Azerbaijani settlements. More than 500 private homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged. In the course of military operations, combatants and civilians, military facilities and civilian facilities must be clearly distinguished. The mass bombing of Azerbaijani settlements by Armenia without any military necessity is not accidental, but purposeful.
The systematic bombing of settlements by Armenia indicates that this plan was prepared in advance and included in the combat and fire training program of the Armenian armed forces. These actions of Armenia are part of the policy of aggression and military occupation against Azerbaijan that has lasted for more than 30 years. For this purpose, the Armenian armed forces use cluster bombs, which are prohibited by international conventions, "Hajiyev said.
The presidential aide also said that the Azerbaijani side, guided by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, has repeatedly warned the Armenian military leadership through relevant international organizations to refrain from artillery and rocket fire on settlements and civilians.
"It simply came to our notice then. This clearly shows once again that Armenia's goal is to deliberately target civilians. Most artillery and missile attacks are carried out from artillery bases near the city of Khankendi. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall destroy these firing points in a targeted manner and with accurate fire to ensure the safety of civilians and shall take adequate measures.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the presence of the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan remains a major threat to regional peace and security. Armenia's political and military leadership is a threat to the entire region. In order to ensure lasting peace in the region, Armenian troops must be completely withdrawn from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.