In a response to activities reported by Armenian forces along the shared border, the Azerbaijani State Border Service conducted what was described as a retaliatory operation. The agency’s press service told TASS that the action aimed to address recent border incidents and was carried out as a direct reaction to Armenian provocations on the frontier.
Official Azerbaijani statements indicate that the operation targeted a combat outpost near Nerkin Andes village in the Gafan region. The border service asserted that GPS devices confirmed the destruction of this outpost, framing the strike as a decisive measure in the ongoing border confrontation. It was also claimed that an Azerbaijani soldier sustained injuries from sniper fire emanating from the vicinity of Nerkin Andes, adding to the severity of the incident.
Initial Armenian reports claimed that starting from the early hours of February 13, Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Armenian positions near Nerkin Hand in the Syunik region. Armenian authorities also alleged the deaths of two Armenian soldiers on the border during the clashes. These assertions reflect the conflicting narratives that have characterized border exchanges between the two states in recent days.
Subsequent Azerbaijani updates stated that Armenian troops had initiated firing on Azerbaijani positions the day before. Armenia’s defense ministry later published a denial of these Azerbaijani claims, presenting a contrasting account of the exchanges and the resulting casualties.
Beyond the immediate reporting of clashes, there were broader diplomatic developments cited in official circles. A revised version of a peace agreement was described as having been handed over to Armenia, signaling ongoing negotiations amid the heightened tensions. The evolving statements from both sides underscore the fragility of stability along the border and the difficulty of obtaining a mutually trusted account of events. The reporting of these incidents continues to rely on official sources, with independent verification limited by the ongoing conflict environment. Citation: State Border Service press materials and subsequent official statements provide the framework for the narratives currently circulating about the border incidents and the alleged retaliatory action.