Quick steps are needed to avoid new losses amid Azerbaijan’s encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia, according to military expert Tigran Abrahamyan, the head of the analytical center Henaket.
The Armenian Defense Ministry reported that as of Saturday morning the Azerbaijani troops had not fully withdrawn from Armenia’s territory after their incursion into Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on 12-13 May under the pretext of “border clarification”.
“The Azerbaijani aggression against Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the statements of the Armenian authorities that we must be ready for the worst-case scenario, the situation is explosive, etc., imply that it is necessary to take measures consistent with the current situation,” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
He called attention to the fact that a number of settlements in Syunik are in close proximity to the Azerbaijani positions, which creates risks for constant threats in this direction.
“A part of Goris-Vorotan highway is completely under the control of Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani strongholds are deployed in areas near the villages of Vorotan and David Bek, in many cases 50-100 meters away from the main highway.
“Not to mention the village of Shurnukh, which is literally divided into two parts – Armenian and Azerbaijani,” he said, adding similar problems are observed near the airport of the town of Kapan, as well as on Kapan-Chakaten highway.
“Under the current situation in Ishkhanasar, Kut or Verin Shorzha or in the event of sharp escalation of tensions, serious developments are possible on the parts of the border with Armenia, where Azerbaijan has gained advantages.
“There is a need to take new serious measures in these areas to strengthen the border security and to ensure the protection of our citizens travelling along the highway. We must act promptly, otherwise new losses are inevitable,” Abrahamyan said.