Tensions Rise Again as Azerbaijan Accuses Armenia of Ceasefire Violations

Azerbaijan has once again accused Armenia of violating the ceasefire agreement. According to Azerbaijan, Armenian forces allegedly fired at Azerbaijani military positions from Sunday evening until 4:30 a.m. on Monday in several directions along the border.

However, the Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD) strongly denied these claims, calling them disinformation. Officials in Yerevan say that these reports do not reflect the truth and appear to be politically motivated. So far, the Armenian MoD has not issued a direct official statement in response to the specific claims from Baku, but sources close to the defense department insist that Azerbaijan is not being transparent or cooperative in investigating such accusations.

The wave of Azerbaijani accusations comes shortly after Armenia and Azerbaijan publicly announced that they had agreed on the text of a draft peace agreement—an important step toward long-term peace in the region. Some Armenian officials and experts believe that Azerbaijan is now trying to avoid serious talks about signing this peace document.

“The timing is no coincidence,” said one defense analyst in Yerevan. “These accusations seem designed to distract from real progress and create tension on the ground.”

This is not the first time Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of ceasefire violations. In the past, the Armenian side has repeatedly denied such reports and has even suggested a way forward. Armenia has formally proposed setting up a joint mechanism between the two countries to investigate any alleged ceasefire violations in a transparent and factual manner. Despite this offer, Azerbaijan has not responded.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, if Azerbaijan truly has evidence of such violations, they should share it through proper channels so both sides can verify the information together. “We remain ready to investigate any claims of violations—if actual evidence is presented,” the MoD stated.

In response to media questions, the Armenian MoD acknowledged that irregular and non-targeted shooting is sometimes recorded along certain sections of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. However, these are not deliberate or organized attacks, and the defense ministry says they monitor the situation closely.

“When there are serious and targeted ceasefire violations, we always make official statements,” the MoD said, pointing to a recent example on March 31 when Azerbaijani forces fired in the direction of a residential home in Khnatsakh village, located in Armenia’s Syunik Province.

The Armenian side maintains that its defense ministry follows a strict information policy, relying on verified data and thorough analysis before making any public announcements.

Another issue raised by Armenian officials is the language used in Azerbaijani media reports. The Azerbaijani government continues to refer to Armenian towns and villages using Azerbaijani names, which Armenia considers a form of disrespect and a way of distorting geographical facts on the ground.

With the recent agreement on a draft peace deal, many had hoped that the region was finally moving toward lasting peace. But these latest accusations and the continued lack of cooperation from Azerbaijan may threaten that progress.

While Armenia has shown willingness to address concerns through official channels, it appears that Baku is more focused on shaping narratives than seeking real solutions.