Iran urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to exercise restraint amid border tensions

David Nargizian
PRESS TV, Iran
Feb 13 2024
Tuesday, 13 February 2024 4:45 PM  [ Last Update: Tuesday, 13 February 2024 4:48 PM ]


Iran has voiced concern over the escalation of border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging the two neighbors to exercise restraint.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani expressed Tehran’s concern during a news briefing on Tuesday, following the border conflict earlier in the day which resulted in the death of four Armenian soldiers.  

Kan’ani called for a peaceful solution – through diplomacy – to the dispute between the two sides. The Iranian official said to that end, it was necessary to speed up the conclusion of a peace agreement between the two countries.

Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame in the wake of new clashes.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said “four people were killed and one injured as a result of fire on Armenian positions from Azerbaijani troops.”

But Azerbaijan’s border guards said this was a “riposte” to a “provocation” Armenian troops committed on Monday, which, according to Baku, left one Azerbaijani soldier injured.

Armenia says 4 soldiers killed in border clashes with Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan have traded blame on fire fight that erupted along the volatile border between the two arch-foes, with Yerevan saying four of its soldiers were killed in the southern region of Siunik.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry also said Armenian forces had opened fire twice late Monday at positions on Kokhanabi village in the Tovuz region. Yerevan denied the allegation, saying the claim “does not align with reality.”

Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the center of a dispute between Baku and Yerevan for more than three decades.

Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, the two neighboring countries have fought two wars, in 1994 and 2020, over the mountainous territory.

Karabakh, while acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan by the international community, has a predominantly Armenian population that has persistently opposed Azerbaijani governance since a separatist war in 1994.

Last year, Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh in a lightning offensive that prompted an exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

The latest border skirmish was the first fatal incident since the two sides began negotiating a treaty in 2023 to formally end the conflict.

Iran urges restraint after new Azerbaijan-Armenia border skirmish

Tambiyan Samvel
TEHRAN TIMES, Iran
Feb 13 2024
  1. Politics
February 13, 2024 – 22:55

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has expressed concern about the escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, asking the two countries to refrain from upping the ante and instead engage in dialogue. 

“Sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the diplomat stressed. He also encouraged the two countries to move more swiftly towards securing a peace agreement during ongoing talks. 

Armenia said on Tuesday that four of its soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani fire along the heavily militarized border. The attack was the first deadly skirmish since Baku withdrew its forces from Karabakh in September, spurring a mass exodus of the region’s Armenian population. 

After hundreds of people died during the war, the two countries agreed to sit at the negotiating table to put an end to their decades-long hostilities. Some Azerbaijani media outlets, however, have been promoting new attacks this time on Armenian soil, repeating President Ilham Aliyev’s previous remarks that claimed Armenia is part of Azerbaijani lands. 

Iran has always emphasized that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan while warning that it would not tolerate any new changes to its historic borders with Armenia. 
 

US Dept. of State : Press Briefing – February 12, 2024

Jhanna Virabian
US Department of State
Feb 12 2024

MATTHEW MILLER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

[Armenian News note: Only parts pertaining to Armenia are posted here; for full press briefing, please go to the link below]

QUESTION: And finally, if I may, on South Caucasus – Azerbaijan and Armenia. Looks like they are trying to move along through negotiation process without any mediator. Where do you stand on this?

MR MILLER: I don’t – I don’t want to comment on that specifically, but I’ll say that we do obviously support continued dialogue around that issue. We believe it’s the best way to reach a sustainable end to the conflict, and we will continue to pursue it.

QUESTION: And Azerbaijan has —

QUESTION: You say – you said several times that you want Russia to pay for the damage that it’s caused. Is that because you – they were – they are the – you see them as the aggressor here, or they are the aggressor?

MR MILLER: They very much are the aggressor, yeah.

————————————-

https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-february-12-2024/

Pashinyan refuses to guarantee Putin’s non-arrest if he visits Armenia

Emil Lazarian
feb 13 2024

By bne IntelliNews February 13, 2024

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has refused to give any assurances regarding the possible arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a possible visit to Armenia, following the country's recent accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a recent interview with the British Daily Telegraph, Pashinyan was asked about the possibility of Putin's arrest during such a visit. His vague response, citing legal complexities and the responsibility of Armenian law enforcement and courts, has fueled speculation and heightened tensions. Pashinyan's government claims that joining the ICC is aimed at taking legal action against Azerbaijan and preventing further attacks on Armenia. Opposition politicians, however, argue that the move is a strategic effort to drive a wedge between Russia and Armenia.

"As for the legal intricacies, I can't make a legal analysis at the moment, because that's more the job of the lawyers," he replied vaguely. "As I said, Armenia … must remain committed to all its international obligations, including the obligations it has in relations with the Russian Federation and in international relations."

The ratification of the ICC's Rome Statute by Armenia's Constitutional Court in March, just a week after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for alleged war crimes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has exacerbated already strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow. Although Russian officials denounced the move as "unfriendly" and predicted serious damage to Russian-Armenian relations, Putin appeared to downplay the situation and expressed his intention to visit Armenia again in the future.

As Pashinyan's comments continue to echo, Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, stressed the need for "certain assurances" before the Russian leader would consider travelling to Armenia. The situation remains unresolved and requires bilateral dialogue to address the complex legal and diplomatic implications of Armenia's accession to the ICC in the context of the delicate Armenia-Russia relationship.

Los Angeles Celebrates TUMO Center’s Groundbreaking

Karakhanian Suren
Feb 12 2024

Groundbreaking of First U.S. TUMO Center in North Hollywood: Los Angeles city officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the first TUMO Technology Learning Center in the United States.

TUMO's Mission and Program: TUMO is a free educational program from Armenia, focusing on maximizing teen learning in 14 areas, including music, filmmaking, robotics, and 3D modeling.

Support for Low-Income Youth: Council President Paul Krekorian emphasized the center's role in providing creative and educational resources to low-income youth, fostering future creative leaders.

Officials' Statements: Mayor Karen Bass and Paul Krekorian, joined by former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian and TUMO founder Sam Simonian, expressed commitment to empowering Los Angeles' youth with technology skills.

Center's Location and Funding: TUMO LA will be housed in a remodeled three-floor office space at 4146 Lankershim Blvd., with funding from a $23.25 million state grant and $3 million in federal funds.

Additional Funding for Amphitheater: A motion for an additional $2.5 million to create an amphitheater on the building's roof was approved by the L.A. City Council.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Los Angeles city officials Monday celebrated the groundbreaking of the first TUMO Technology Learning Center in the United States.

TUMO, originally founded in Armenia, is a free-of-charge educational program that aims to maximize teens' learning by building skills and self- confidence. The program offers educational and training opportunities in 14 different subjects, including music, filmmaking, robotics and 3D modeling.

"The creation of TUMO in the east San Fernando Valley will bring much needed creative and educational resources to low-income youth and teenagers that would otherwise not be exposed to the fantastic learning opportunities that TUMO creates," L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian said in a statement. "This center will shape the next generation of creative leaders that will keep our entertainment industry strong and thriving."

During a morning conference, Mayor Karen Bass joined Krekorian, as well as former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian and Sam Simonian, founder of Tumo, at the future site of TUMO LA, located at 4146 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.

"We are committed to empowering Los Angeles' next generation of youth to gain skills that will prepare them for jobs in the technology industry," Bass said in a statement.

She added, "This center will allow Los Angeles youth to maximize their potential by discovering their passions for creative technologies and building the cutting-edge skills essential for navigating the ever-evolving digital world."

According to Krekorian's office, the center is expected to open in December 2024. It be located at an existing three-floor office space that requires remodeling.

The center was made possible through a $23.25 million dollar grant from the state, secured by Nazarian. Additionally, $3 million in federal funds also contributed to the project, thanks to efforts from Krekorian.

Last week, the L.A. City Council approved a motion seeking to allocate another $2.5 million to create an amphitheater on the building's roof.

Nazarian, who formerly represented parts of the east San Fernando Valley, said he was proud to support the TUMO center.

" The TUMO Technology Learning Center focuses on placing teenagers, aged 12 to 18 years, in control of their learning experiences and enabling them to unlock their full potential by identifying their passions and equipping them with the skills necessary to shape their future," Nazarian said in a statement. "This center will create life-changing experiences for our children and build the next generation of leaders for our communities."

  

Armenpress: Azerbaijani gunfire kills 2 Armenian soldiers near border

Emma Jilavian

 08:34, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces on early morning Tuesday opened small arms fire at Armenian military positions in the Nerkin Hand section in Syunik Province, killing two Armenian servicemen and wounding others, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The Defense Ministry did not specify the number of wounded troops.

“As a result of the Azerbaijani armed forces firing towards Nerkin Hand, the Armenian side has, according to preliminary information, reported 2 killed in action and wounded. The Ministry of Defense will issue an additional statement,” the Defense Ministry said.

The Azeri forces started firing at Armenian positions near Nerkin Hand at 05:30, February 13.

Azerbaijan falsely accuses Armenia of opening fire – Defense Ministry

Emma Nadirian

 09:21, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities are generating fake news targeting the Armenian military, the Ministry of Defense has warned.

The Azeri Defense Ministry, in its latest statement, falsely accused the Armenian military of opening fire at Azeri posts.

“The statement issued by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, alleging that between 20:50 and 23:40 on February 12, the units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia fired in the direction of Azerbaijani positions situated in the northeastern part of the border, is untrue,” the Ministry of Defense said.

Azeri military ceases gunfire targeting Syunik post

George Mamian

 10:21, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Azeri shooting targeting an Armenian position in Syunik stopped as of 09:30, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

“As of 9:30 a.m., the firing by Azerbaijani armed forces on Armenian combat positions in the vicinity of Nerkin Hand (Syunik Province) has ceased.
“The Ministry of Defence urges partner media outlets not to disseminate unverified information, to refrain from referencing individuals with insufficient and inaccurate frontline information, and to rely on official reports from the MoD.
“The Ministry of Defence will issue additional official statements regarding Armenian casualties and the health condition of the wounded,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

According to preliminary reports, 2 Armenian soldiers were killed and others were wounded in the Azeri shooting targeting a military position in Syunik province.

4 Armenian soldiers dead, 1 wounded in Azeri shooting

Maral Takmazian

 12:34, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. 4 Armenian soldiers were killed and another was wounded in the February 13 Azerbaijani gunfire attack at an Armenian position in Syunik province.

The 1 wounded soldier is currently in non-life-threatening condition, the defense ministry said. 

The Azeri forces opened fire at the Armenian post near Nerkin Hand in Syunik in the early morning of February 13.

Armenia condemns deadly Azeri provocation, calls for resumption of talks

Emil Karabekian

 13:54, 13 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions showcase that it is seeking pretexts to escalate the situation on the border, the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement after the Azeri military killed 4 Armenian troops in Syunik province.

“The Armenian side has 4 casualties and 1 wounded as a result of a new provocation and use of force by the Azerbaijani armed forces near Nerkin Hand community, Kapan municipality of Syunik province of the Republic of Armenia. Despite the February 12 statement released by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia that the images and information released by Azerbaijani media on the same day alleging that Armenian border troops wounded an Azerbaijani soldier is under investigation, nevertheless the Azerbaijani side took aggressive actions in the morning of February 13. This showcases that Azerbaijan is seeking pretexts to commit border escalations. These actions of use of force were preceded by the belligerent statements of the Azerbaijani military-political leadership, as well as the latest information-propaganda preparations. The Azerbaijani leadership is continuously attempting to derail the efforts of the actors interested in the stability and security in South Caucasus to resume the negotiations aimed at the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s actions of resorting to military provocations, and we call for refraining from destabilizing steps, and a return to negotiations. We once again reiterate the previously stated proposals of the Armenian side on implementing reliable measures to increase border security,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.