Azerbaijani soldier martyred by Armenian gunfire

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) – An Azerbaijani soldier has been martyred in a border clash with Armenian forces, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said Sunday.

According to a statement by the ministry, Azerbaijani soldier Fikret Besirov has been martyred when Armenian forces opened fire.

No details were given in the statement on where the incident took place, and when Besirov has been martyred.

The statement said that Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov would present "Military Service Medal" of third degree to Besirov.

There have been recurring clashes in the Upper Karabakh region, which pro-Armenian militia occupied in 1993.

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

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