Death toll rises as Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict escalates; presidents may meet in Russia

In this Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, photo a convoy of Azerbaijan's Army tanks moves in the direction of Agdam, Azerbaijan. Recent days have seen a sharp escalation in fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia around a tense line of control around Nagorno-Karabakh. (AP Photo/Abbas Atilay) (The Associated Press)

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In this Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014 photo Ibrahim Aliev, 7, plays near the gates to his family home in the village of Chiragli located near a demilitarized zone with Armenia. An additional protective fence was built outside the gates, right. Recent days have seen a sharp escalation in fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia around a tense line of control around Nagorno-Karabakh. (AP Photo/ Abbas Atilay ) (The Associated Press)

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan and Armenia are both reporting more losses in a sharp escalation of fighting over the South Caucasus region Nagorno-Karabakh, with 18 soldiers now confirmed dead.

The Azerbaijani region and some adjacent territory have been under the control of Armenian soldiers and ethnic Armenian troops since the 1994 end of a six-year separatist war. Both sides report frequent shootings and attempted incursions along the cease-fire line, but the latest outbreak of fighting is the worst in many years.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said Monday that 13 soldiers were killed in fighting that spiked over the weekend, while Nagorno-Karabakh's armed forces said five of its soldiers were killed.

Armenia's prime minister said the presidents of the two countries would meet at the end of the week in Russia. Azerbaijan hasn't confirmed this.