US Congress member Jim Costa, from the Democratic Party, called on Azerbaijan to “reverse its pattern of escalating violence against the peaceful people of Nagorno Karabakh,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“This latest breach of the ceasefire underscores Azerbaijan’s aversion to peace and stability, and I condemn the attacks against Nagorno Karabakh,” Costa said in a statement. “Despite attending meetings in DC with Secretary Kerry and Vice President Biden last week, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev does not appear committed to the peace process and I question his sincerity in trying to reach a resolution. It is my hope the United States continues to work with the Minsk Group until the Azerbaijan government reverses its pattern of escalating violence against the peaceful people of Nagorno Karabakh and recommits to upholding civil society and rule of law.”

About a dozen members of the US Congress have already issued similar statements.

The situation at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone dramatically escalated in the early morning hours on April 2. From regular shootings and frequent sabotage-reconnaissance attempts, Azerbaijan switched to large-scale attacks all along the Karabakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact, using a variety of weaponry as well as artillery, armored vehicles, and air force. Both sides have suffered casualties.