Azerbaijan says 12 of its soldiers killed in fighting

In this image from TV, a car destroyed with blood showing in the aftermath after heavy fighting erupted in Terter, Azerbaijan, Saturday April 2, 2016, between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia expressed grave concern on Saturday over the recent military conflict along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, calling on all parties involved to stop fighting and exercise restraint. Officials from each of the former Soviet republics blamed the other on Saturday for the fighting which began overnight. (Kanal S TV via AP) TV OUT In this image from TV, a car destroyed with blood showing in the aftermath after heavy fighting erupted in Terter, Azerbaijan, Saturday April 2, 2016, between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia expressed grave concern on Saturday over the recent military conflict along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, calling on all parties involved to stop fighting and exercise restraint. Officials from each of the former Soviet republics blamed the other on Saturday for the fighting which began overnight. (Kanal S TV via AP) TV OUT

By Associated Press April 2, 2016 3 min read

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) – At least 30 soldiers and a boy were reported killed as heavy fighting erupted Saturday between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The fighting was the worst outbreak since a full-scale war over the region ended in 1994. Since then, mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh – officially part of Azerbaijan – has been under the control of local ethnic Armenian forces and the Armenian military.

Armenian forces also occupy several areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh proper. The sides are separated by a demilitarized buffer zone, but small clashes have broken out frequently.

Each side blamed the other for Saturday’s escalation.

In a statement, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said 12 of its soldiers “became shahids” – Muslim martyrs – and said one of its helicopters was shot down.