Azeris and ethnic Armenians fight as Russia, U.S. and France seek ceasefire

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises as Azerbaijan's forces shell targets during the fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh near the city of Terter, Azerbaijan October 7, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

YEREVAN/BAKU/GENEVA (Reuters) - Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians fought with artillery and heavy guns on Thursday as the United States, France and Russia stepped up efforts to secure a ceasefire and avert a wider war in the South Caucasus.

The Kremlin said late on Thursday the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia had been invited to take part in talks in Moscow on Friday, adding that the invitation followed calls with the two countries' leaders.