Fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region has escalated over time, with both countries raising concerns about the safety of civilians following the shelling of large urban areas on Monday.
Separatists based in Qarabach have been receiving reports of armed clashes on the front lines of the region's capital, Stepanakert, as well as heavy artillery use.
Armenian-born separatists based in Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan in the 1990s and are now engaged in armed clashes with Azerbaijani forces.
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry claims that Armenian forces are shelling three of its major cities, while the second largest city in Azerbaijan, Ganja, was bombed by those forces on Sunday.
Civilian casualties are on the rise in both countries due to the bombing of major cities and the increasing use of artillery. At least 220 people have already been killed in armed clashes, including civilians.
International demands from Armenia and Azerbaijan for a ceasefire and resumption of talks continue to be ignored, and neither side appears to be backing down on the issue.
Civilian casualties are on the rise in both countries due to the bombing of major cities and the increasing use of artillery.
Authorities in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region say heavy shelling by Azerbaijan began at 6:30 a.m. Monday and four shells fell on civilians.
Video footage of Monday's attack by separatists has also been released, showing debris from residential flats. In the video, separatists claim that Azerbaijan is using cluster munitions.
