“The Armenian armed forces are using ammunition and weapons prohibited by international conventions as they are committing provocations against Azerbaijani residential areas and civilian population,” Mustajab Niyarov, officer at the Chemical Service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Defense, has told AZERTAC. He said that on May 10 Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) found an unexploded ordnance in the frontline village of Askipara, Tartar. “This was a 122mm 3.6kg (P-4, the elemental form of phosphorus used in smoke munitions) mortar bomb, the use of which was prohibited by international conventions. Such bombs have a blast radius of 15-20 metres and create a white toxic cloud, which poses a serious threat for all living organisms.” “White phosphorus ignites spontaneously on contact with air. The autoignition temperature for white phosphorus is 34°C, which can reach 900-1200°C when burning.” “White phosphorus results in painful chemical burn injuries,” he said.

“The Armenian armed units are using this kind of bombs to shell not only the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces, but also residential areas and civil population,” said Mr Niyarov.

AZERTAC