Hadrut: Intensive fighting continues to thwart Azeri attack for good

PanARMENIAN.Net - Intensive fighting continues near Hadrut, Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan launched a massive attack in an attempt to capture the town, the Karabakh Defense Army reported Monday, October 12.

Azerbaijani media reported that their troops had allegedly opened artillery fire on the Defence Army units retreating near the Red Market settlement, causing heavy casualties.

"The Azeri propaganda machine, true to form, distorts the truth, in an attempt to turn [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev's obvious lie about capturing Hardut into a reality. The Defence Army continues to confidently carry out its mission across the entire front line," the Karabakh military said.

"Meanwhile, the Defence Army has thwarted an attempted Azerbaijani assault which violated the humanitarian truce. The operation to hunt down and destroy the remaining elements of the commando raiders in the Hadrut area continues. The Defence Army continues to fully control the battlefield."

Karabakh presidential spokesman Vahram Poghosyan said the Azerbaijani military has concentrated large forces in that direction, trying to invade the city. The Defense Army is fighting hard for every inch of land, he added.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages, as well as the iconic Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi. Before a humanitarian ceasefire could begin on October 10, Azerbaijan launched a new offensive and struck settlements both in Karabakh and Armenia.