Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade Accusations over Phosphorus Use

Azerbaijan and Armenia have exchanged accusations of using weapons containing white phosphorus during the recent battles for control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Wounded soldiers and medical workers at a hospital in the Armenian capital Yerevan told AFP that the fighters had suffered severe burns consistent with the use of phosphorous or other chemicals.

Earlier, the Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman, Artak Biglerian, told AFP that his office had "collected data that the Azerbaijanis used phosphorous munitions" during the six weeks of clashes.

The defence ministry in Baku denied the accusation, pointing the finger instead at Armenian forces.

It is worth mentioning that, earlier this month, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia signed an agreement to end the military conflict over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It follows six weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians.