STEPANAKERT. Aug 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The Azeri armed forces are not giving up their attempts to move closer to the Nagorno Karabakh army's advance positions, defense minister of the breakaway republic Movses Akopyan said.
"There is a passive war on the demarcation line dividing the Karabakh and Azeri armed forces," Akopyan told a press conference in Stepanakert on Tuesday.
Karabakh defense army units are not letting the Azeri military move forward and thus grab the initiative, the minister said.
Several weeks ago the situation on the demarcation line between the two sides worsened, leading to skirmishes, he said.
"We will continue to swiftly suppress any attempts by the adversary to move near to our positions," the minister said. "If necessary, we will not only defend ourselves, but will also go on the counteroffensive," Akopyan added.
The Karabakh Army can solve its main task, which is to ensure the security of Nagorno Karabakh and maintain peace on the demarcation line between the breakaway republic and Azerbaijan.
Commenting on recent reports in the press alleging that Azerbaijan has purchased military equipment from Russia, Akopyan said that Karabakh was concerned over the news.