Armenia 4 June accused Azerbaijan of cross-border incursion into Armenian Tavush region killing 3 Armenian soldiers; Azerbaijan denied involvement. Azerbaijan reported 5 Azeri soldiers killed 5 June during clashes with “Armenian saboteurs” infiltrating Azerbaijan’s Qazah district, 2 officers severely wounded 11 June in mine blast along Line of Contact, border positions shelled same day, 1 soldier killed 19 June by separatist Nagorno-Karabakh forces. Authorities 6 June said 1 soldier killed repelling Azeri incursion, 18 June claimed 1,000 ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan in 1-week. During regional tour, U.S. Secretary of State Clinton 4 June warned tensions could escalate into broader conflict. OSCE chairman Eamon Gilmore 12 June urged restraint, said parties should not attempt to resolve dispute by force; U.S., France, Russia 19 June issued joint statement calling on Armenia, Azerbaijan to take “decisive steps” to resolve conflict.

Officials 17 May said soldier severely injured near border. Minsk Group co-Chairs 11-14 May visited Yerevan and Baku, expressed concerns over line of contact incidents.

Azerbaijan 25 April fired on Armenian village of Dovegh, near Line of Contact (LoC) for 1st time since 1994. Gunmen 27 April reportedly killed 3 Armenian soldiers along Azerbaijan border. Russian FM Lavrov 2-3 April held talks in Armenia, Azerbaijan over region; Armenian FM Nalbandian said country had rejected 4 suggestions of OSCE Minsk Group, no further details.

2 Armenian soldiers reportedly shot dead 14, 19 March in incidents on NE border with Azerbaijan; 2 Azerbaijani soldiers reportedly killed along Line of Contact during month. Armenian President Sarkisian 6 March accused Azerbaijan leaders of blocking progress on resolving conflict, “continuing to sow hatred” against Armenians. Co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Ambassador Bradtke 20 March said both sides “probably closer to an agreement than they think”.

Continued tensions along Line of Contact (LoC); Armenian govt vowed “Baku will answer” for death of Armenian soldier in latest common cross-fire incident. Azerbaijan 20 Feb began week-long military exercise along LoC, reportedly involving air and land forces, use of newly-purchased and manufactured military equipment. De facto N-K authorities 16-18 Feb held “international conference” on prospects for territory, marking 20th anniversary of declaration of “independence”.

Following Russian-mediated talks 23 Jan, Armenia and Azerbaijan presidents issued joint statement stressing importance of confidence-building measures, agreeing to accelerate agreement on Basic Principles, further develop incident prevention mechanism. Ahead of meeting, Azerbaijani President Aliev 16 Jan criticised international community for focusing on prevention of war, told media country is building up arms in order to rapidly regain control of N-K in case talks fail. Armenian President Sargsyan early Jan visited N-K to inspect military facilities, met with Karabakh Armenian army commanders. Aliev visited troops in Goranboy district 24 Jan. Violations of line of contact reported.

OSCE meeting in Vilnius 6-7 Dec resulted in few concrete steps. Amid low expectations, Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents scheduled to meet Jan for 1st time since June. Russia reportedly delivered 2 attack helicopters to Azerbaijan, amid continued reports of Azerbaijani arms build-up.

Following deaths of 2 Armenian soldiers in separate clashes with Azerbaijani forces in N-K, Armenian military 21 Nov pledged to respond “disproportionately”; threatened “punitive actions”. Karabakh Defence Army accused Azerbaijan of violating ceasefire to sabotage diplomatic efforts to resolve conflict. Following failure of Russia-brokered June summit between Armenian and Azerbaijan presidents, Baku saying time to look at alternatives to 17-year old OSCE “Minsk Group” process. Armenian FM Minsk Group should remain key international body mediating N-K peace talks; comments follow Azerbaijan’s election to UNSC seat and reported intention to use membership to advance favourable solution to conflict.

Tensions remain high on line of contact between Armenia and Azerbaijan, further ceasefire violations reported. Armenian defence ministry 5 Oct reported 2 Armenian servicemen injured by sniper shots, 1 killed on line of contact; same day announced launch of “punitive operation” against Azerbaijani forces after killing of Karabakh Defence Army soldier by Azerbaijani sniper. Azerbaijani media reported 2 killed in operation. 32 Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegates early Oct issued joint declaration recognizing independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian President Sargsyan in 18 Oct meeting with U.S. Asst Sec State Gottemoeller said Yerevan will continue to abide by Conventional Forces in Europe treaty despite alleging violations by Azerbaijan; Azerbaijan expressed concern over reported Armenian acquisition of arms from Moldova.

De facto Nagorno-Karabakh authorities 14 Sept alleged they downed an Azerbaijani drone, calling it “serious ceasefire violation”. First report of downing of an air target since 1994 truce; Azerbaijan denied reports. De facto N-K officials called on OSCE to expand monitoring of line of contact. Incident comes 6 months after Azerbaijani-Israeli joint venture began assembling Israeli-designed drones for Azerbaijan armed forces; Azerbaijan has also reportedly purchased such aircraft from Israel, Turkey. During military parade marking 20th anniversary of independence, Armenia 21 Sept displayed first-ever Armenian-made drones. Speculation by Armenian, Azerbaijani sources on meaning of reported statement by Uruguay’s FM that country, which is home to influential Armenian diaspora community, should recognise N-K as independent .