(AP) As the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh continues, the men of Martuni have been issued guns to defend their town.
The Ovanisyan brothers and their neighbors were summoned to local recruitment office to receive their Kalashnikov rifles and join volunteer squads to protect Martuni.
"I am always ready to fight for the wellbeing of my children," said 64-year-old Valery Ovanisyan.
Many houses and buildings in Martuni have been badly hit by shelling.
Benik Osepyan, 91, had seen his family home damaged but remained in the town despite being too old to take up arms.
Heavy fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh has continued into a third week despite a Russian-brokered cease-fire deal.
Both sides have exchanged accusations and claims over attacks, sometimes outside the conflict area.
In a sign that the conflict was widening, Azerbaijan's military said it destroyed an Armenian missile system on the territory of Armenia that was positioned to target civilian areas.
Armenia's Defense Ministry responded by stating that it reserves the right to target Azerbaijani military objects and troop movements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the need to respect the truce that was immediately violated after it took effect on Saturday.
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