ARMENIA LEADER THREATENS AZERBAIJAN WITH ‘PREVENTIVE STRIKE’

NaharNet, Lebanon
Jan 26 2015

by Naharnet Newsdesk

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian on Monday threatened arch-foe
Azerbaijan with an “asymmetrical” response to any attempt to use
military means in resolving their long-standing conflict over the
disputed Nagorny Karabakh region.

“Until now we were reacting symmetrically … from now on we could
take asymmetrical actions,” Sarkisian told a televised meeting with
Armenia’s defense ministry.

“Hotheads (in Azerbaijan) should expect various surprises. In the
event of a major and menacing (military) concentration on our border
or along the (Karabakh) frontline, we reserve the right of a preventive
strike,” he added.

“We are obliged to be merciless towards those who prepare trouble
for us.”

Azerbaijan is locked in a decades-long conflict with Armenia over
Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan.

Clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces intensified in January
following an unprecedented spiral of violence last year.

Four Armenian soldiers were reported killed this month in fighting
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and along the Karabakh frontline.

Ethnic Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized control of
Karabakh during a 1990s war that left some 30,000 dead.

Despite years of negotiations, the two sides have not yet signed a
final peace deal, with Karabakh internationally recognized as part
of Azerbaijan.

Baku, whose military spending exceeds Armenia’s entire state budget,
has threatened to take back the region by force if negotiations fail
to yield results.

Armenia, which is heavily armed by Russia, says it could crush any
offensive.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress