The region is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians.

The separatist authorities there said 31 of its soldiers had now died, and some lost positions had been retaken.

Azerbaijan said 26 civilians had been injured in heavy Armenian shelling. It earlier reported at least five deaths.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have already declared general mobilisation and martial law in some areas.

The fighting is the heaviest seen in the long-running conflict since 2016, when at least 200 people were killed in clashes. It has sparked international calls for diplomacy, amid fears that regional powers could be drawn into the conflict in the strategically important Caucasus region.(BBC)…[+]