Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Turkish state-run ‘TRThaber’ has exposed the real number of the military casualties Azerbaijan suffered during the recent 44-day war in Nagorno Karabakh, Ermenihaber reports. 

The Telegram Channel of TRThaber Russian service published a report about humanitarian assistance from the Turkish side delivered to ‘children of 6,000 killed servicemen’ in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. 

The number contrasts with the official figures released earlier by Azerbaijan which had claimed that 2,879 of their troops had been killed during the war, while 28 are missing in action.

After the publication, the media outlet amended the text, adding injured next to the number of 6,000. 

“If Armenia’s de facto authorities agree to sign the second capitulation agreement on delimitation with Azerbaijan based on topographic maps of the  General Staff of the Soviet Union, we will have new territorial losses, violation of our dignity and an identity crisis,” Co-Founder of “Armenian project” scientific-educational NGO Edgar Elbakyan told reporters during the trip to Tavush province. In Elbakyan’s words, in case of these negative developments, the enemy will get three enclaves – Sofulu, Barkhudarlu and Upper Voskepar.  

“If these settlements are surrendered and the contact line is moved further into the territory of Armenia, it would cross near the Holy Mother of God Church of the 7th century, while Voskepar village will be circled by the enemy border. Moreover, the 2-km long section of the highway, connecting Armenia with Georgia, will also fall under the control of the enemy,” said Elbakyan.  

The expert went on suggesting that in that case the population will migrate from Voskepar village amid lack of security guarantees. Moreover, the village will face shortage in irrigation water as it receives water from Upper Voskepar. Two houses from Kirants village may also be handed over to the enemy, as those are part of the enclave, while Acharkut village will occur in a blockade. 

“Another major damage coming from possible delimitation agreement is the change of the frontline in Tavush and Ararat bordering with Nakhijevan, which will be another blow to the Armenian army,” added Elbakyan. In the words of the expert, the agreement seeks a long-term goal of depriving Armenia of any potential to resist as the two major routes connecting Armenia with Iran and Georgia will fall under Azerbaijani control. 

“Azerbaijan pursues long-term and short-term goals, getting prepared for the next war,” said Elbakyan, adding any person who has understanding of the regional priorities can predict a futre war that may also ensure Armenia’s revenge. In his words, Armenia should get prepared for the war as well which is impossible without reconsidering of the Artsakh issue. The latter should be addressed through diplomatic means, revitalizing the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. 

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.