Yervant1 Posted July 31, 2021 Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 Panorama, ArmeniaJuly 30 2021 Armenia downs Azerbaijani Aerostar droneThe air defense units of the Armenian army shot down an Aerostar UAV belonging to the Azerbaijani military, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported on Friday.The wreckage of the drone fell 3.5 km north of the village of Vanevan in Gegharkunik Province, it said.The Defense Ministry said earlier that starting from 11pm Thursday, the air defense units of the Armenian military thwarted attempts by Azerbaijani UAVs to enter the airspace of Armenia on the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.“Once again, we urge the Armenian media outlets and social media users not to disseminate unverified, moreover, deliberately distorted information that causes panic, and to be guided exclusively by the official statements of the Defense Ministry,” the ministry said.The Armenian troops fully fulfil the tasks set for them, it added. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/07/30/Armenia-Azerbaijani-drone/2543272 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted July 31, 2021 Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 Panorama, ArmeniaJuly 30 2021 Expert: Turkey, Azerbaijan trying to ‘extort concessions’ from Armenia Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to pressure Armenia into making concessions over several important issues, including the status of Artsakh and Armenia’s borders, as well as to make the country come to terms with the fact that Azerbaijani troops are stationed on Armenian territory, expert on Turkey Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference on Friday. He said the fresh Azerbaijani provocations on the border aim to step up the pressure on Armenia and to “extort concessions” from the country.Commenting on acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to deploy CSTO observers along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Safrastyan underlined this is exactly the case when the CSTO should seriously consider the proposal."If this time as well the CSTO fails to carry out its key functions, it will seriously threaten the future of the organization," Safrastyan said.He lauded the U.S. House passage of the Pallone Amendment restricting U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan as an “important and expected event”, highlighting the efforts made by Diaspora Armenians towards its adoption on Wednesday.“It is also a message addressed to the executive branch to reconsider its position on dictatorial Azerbaijan,” he said.However, Safrastyan noted, the White House does not often respond to the messages of the Congress, since it has its own interests. He pointed to the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline starting in Azerbaijan, which is important for the US and the West.Safrastyan assesses positively the fact that the United States, France and Russia believe the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs should continue and the issue of Artsakh's status has not yet been resolved."This is an approach shared by Armenia and which would lead to a fair settlement to the Artsakh issue,” Safrastyan said.The expert stressed the need for diplomatic work in specific directions over the status of Artsakh, the peaceful de-occupation of the Artsakh territories and the expansion of the circle of friendly states that have an objective idea of what is happening in the region. Serious efforts must be made in the region, including in connection with relations with Iran, he said.Highlighting the role of Russia as Armenia’s strategic ally, he at the same time stressed the need for a values-based foreign policy.“This is a new direction in the theory of international relations. For millennia, our people have created values that are part of modern civilization, we should use it in foreign policy. To put it simply, we should pursue a foreign policy that will be recognizable for the world to differ from other states and not to be just an ordinary, small and weak state in such a complex region," Safrastyan said. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/07/30/expert-Ruben-Safrastyan/2543325 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Well said, but who is listening? Are there any teeth to go with? Or is it just politicking?Public Radio of ArmeniaJuly 31 2021 Azerbaijan’s military forces must withdraw from Armenian lands – Congresswoman Katherine Clark Today, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-5) issued the following statement on Azerbaijan’s escalation of violence along its border with Armenia that took place earlier this week. Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenian positions in Gegharkunik Province along the northeastern sector of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Tree Armenian soldiers were killed and four were injured as a result of the attack.“Azerbaijan’s military forces must withdraw from Armenian lands immediately and stop the violence that has already cost multiple lives. This violation of Armenia’s sovereignty is yet another dangerous and provocative action taken by Azerbaijan’s increasingly authoritarian government to undermine any path to peace and stoke further regional instability. I unequivocally condemn this act of aggression and am proud to have voted for Congressman Pallone’s amendment to cut off military funding to Azerbaijan and hold this regime accountable for its destabilizing actions. Now more than ever, we must strengthen our strategic relationship with Armenia by providing economic assistance and finally recognize the people of Artsakh’s right to self-determination,” she said. https://en.armradio.am/2021/07/31/azerbaijans-military-forces-must-withdraw-from-armenian-lands-congresswoman-katherine-clark/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Public Radio of ArmeniaJuly 31 2021 Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions, territorial claims on Armenia presented to Chairman of the UN Security CouncilMher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, sent a letter to Nicolas de Riviere, Chairman of the UN Security Council, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations,The letter emphasizes that Azerbaijan’s aggressive actions against Armenia are accompanied by territorial claims at the highest level, threats of hostilities, and hate speech on the grounds of nationality.It is emphasized that Armenia is determined to exercise its legal right to self-defense in the pursuit of its sovereignty and territorial integrity under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Armenia believes that a comprehensive “permanent” political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be peaceful, under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.The letter was circulated to the members of the UN Security Council and will soon be published as an official document of the UN Security Council. https://en.armradio.am/2021/07/31/azerbaijans-aggressive-actions-territorial-claims-on-armenia-presented-to-chairman-of-the-un-security-council/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Public Radio of ArmeniaJuly 31 2021 Azerbaijani forces open fire at Armenian positions in Yeraskh On July 31, at 6:30 am, units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire on the Armenian positions located in the Yeraskh section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, trying to carry out fortification works using engineering equipment.After the retaliatory actions of the Armenian positions, the enemy’s fire was silenced, the fortification works were stopped.As of 11:00, the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was relatively stable and under the full control of the Armenian Armed Forces. https://en.armradio.am/2021/07/31/azerbaijani-forces-open-fire-at-armenian-positions-in-yeraskh/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Caucasian Knot, EUJuly 31 2021 Armenian analysts suggest reasons for local hostilities near Gegarkunik and Eraskh Intensive shootouts in the direction of Gegarkunik on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are caused by weak fortification of this area; while those in the direction of Eraskh are caused by Azerbaijan's desire to take control over the strategic road to Iran, Armenian analysts have suggested.The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 28, hostilities began on the border of the Gegarkunik Region of Armenia with Azerbaijan. It was reported that there were wounded servicemen on both sides; and three Armenian soldiers perished. The parties agreed, mediated by Russia, to a ceasefire, but the following day they blamed each other of violating the ceasefire."The goal of the escalation in the direction of Eraskh is a strategic road to Iran, which Azerbaijan seeks to control," Vitaly Mangasaryan, an analyst, has stated, adding that by means of local clashes, Azerbaijan is trying to weaken Armenia's position and extract the maximum benefit for itself. The expert also noted that Azerbaijan began using reconnaissance drones on Armenian border.Azerbaijan has used a chance to advance on the Black Lake and entrenched itself in the territories that it considers controversial, Mger Akopyan, a military analyst, believes."Eraskh has a symbolic meaning for Azerbaijan. This is where the first battles for the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh began. Besides, it is the closest point to Yerevan," Mr Akopyan has noted, adding that Armenian authorities are trying to avoid clashes on Azerbaijani border for fear of scaling the conflict.This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 31, 2021 at 07:58 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.See earlier reports:OSCE calls on Baku and Yerevan to abide by ceasefire agreement, Human rights defenders call on Armenian authorities to ask for UN and OSCE assistance, Military experts exclude Russia's interference in Armenian-Azerbaijani border conflict.Author: Tigran Petrosyan; Source: CK correspondentSource: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/56294/© Caucasian Knot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Aug 5 2021 Russian Border Guards Could Be Deployed Along Armenia-Azerbaijan Border August 5, 2021 By PanARMENIAN Practical work is underway on the proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to deploy Russian or international observers along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Russian Ambassador to Yerevan Sergei Kopyrkin said in an interview with the Public Television. Pashinyan earlier suggested that both Armenian and Azerbaijani militaries pull back their forces from the border and pave the way for the deployment of international observers from Russia or the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries. By moving away from borders, Pashinyan said, the two militaries would return to their permanent places of deployment, committing to not building up border areas, until delimitation and demarcation is carried out under the auspices of the international community. “As for the rest of the problematic areas, all issues are being discussed with the active participation of the Russian side,” Kopyrkin said. “We understand the importance of this problem. The Russian side is ready to take appropriate steps. This is an issue that requires more discussion in a trilateral format. Practical work is being carried out.” https://www.eurasiareview.com/05082021-russian-border-guards-could-be-deployed-along-armenia-azerbaijan-border/?nowprocket=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 UAE - Aug 5 2021 Armenia: Russian border guards deployed in Tavush regionAugust 05, 2021 / 7:34 PMArmenia's Defence MinistrySharjah 24 – Reuters: Armenia's defence ministry said on Thursday that Russian border guards had been deployed in the Tavush region in the country's northeast, bordering Azerbaijan, Interfax news agency reported.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last week proposed that Russian border forces be stationed along the length of the border with Azerbaijan amid rising tensions between Yerevan and Baku, the TASS news agency reported. https://www.sharjah24.ae/en/articles/2021/08/05/Armenia-Russian-border-guards-deployed-in-Tavush-region Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Asbarez.com Armenian Soldiers Ordered to ‘Shoot and Destroy’ Azerbaijani Forces Crossing Armenia’s Bordersby Asbarez Staff August 5, 2021 in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories An Armenia border patrol soldier in Gegharkunik Russia Deploys Border Patrols on Segment of Tavush BorderArmenia’s newly-appointed defense minister, Arshak Karapetyan, on Thursday gave an order to Armenia’s Armed Forces to “shoot and destroy” any Azerbaijani soldier who attempts to cross Armenia’s border.Armenian media reports, as well as certain social media posts suggest that Karapetyan’s order was to use “any means” to destroy Azerbaijani forces who attempt to enter Armenia’s territory.Armenia’s Defense Ministry also reported that Russia has deployed border guards in Armenia’s Tavush region, specifically near the village of Voskepar, as what the ministry said was part of the framework on “Russian-Armenian cooperation.”Karapetyan also met with the commander of the Russian Peacekeeping Forces in Artsakh Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov. The Defense Ministry said the two discussed issues related to Russia’s peacekeeping mission, as well as the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.Karapetyan chaired a session the Defense Ministry Board Thursday, during which the almost three-month old border standoff with Azerbaijan was discussed.The issue to prevent any further breach of Armenia’s sovereign borders was discussed during the meeting, according to the defense ministry, presumably as a prelude to the “shoot and destroy order.”Karapetyan ordered all relevant bodies to speed up military reforms and resolve existing issues quickly.This comes as Azerbaijani efforts to breach Armenia’s airspace once again was thwarted when Armenia’s air defense forces shot down an Azerbaijani drone at 11 a.m. local time in the Gegharkunik Province on Wednesday.Russia, meanwhile, expressed serious concern over the frequent armed incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.“I can say that Russia is seriously concerned over the armed incidents in specific sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border that have become quite frequent in the recent period. It is particularly alarming given the fact that those incidents have caused human casualties from both sides,’’ said Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Bikantov during a press briefing Thursday, according to the TASS news agency.“To this end, we call on all sides to refrain from further actions that can aggravate the situation,’’ Biktanov said, emphasizing Moscow’s position that all issues be resolved “through peaceful political-diplomatic means.”He also said Russia is ready to actively contribute to the settlement of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, including through de-escalation of the tensions, joint border demarcation and delimitation works.‘’These efforts, together with the unblocking of economic and transport communications in the region, as well as the promotion of inter-society dialogue, will contribute to making the South Caucasus a zone of stability, security and prosperity, according to the statements of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021,’’ added Bikantov. https://asbarez.com/armenian-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-and-destroy-azerbaijani-forces-crossing-armenias-borders/?fbclid=IwAR2NvzcvGdPELEYVGt_3a14X8eIdW_TZUXSUTV8FQ8mu_9QicWyGxJkh08A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 RT - Russia TodayAug 6 2021 Russia sends troops to Armenian border with Azerbaijan after cry for help from Yerevan following altercations with Azeri forces6 Aug, 2021 17:31 A view shows an armoured personnel carrier of the Russian peacekeeping forces near Dadivank Monastery in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, November 24, 2020. © Hayk Baghdasaryan/Photolure via REUTERSBy Jonny TickleArmenia has confirmed reports that border guards from Russia have been deployed on the country’s frontier with Azerbaijan, as part of Moscow’s agreement with its allies in Yerevan to help bolster the Caucasian nation’s defenses.Both Russia and Armenia are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a mutual defense pact, similar to the US-led NATO bloc, made up of six former Soviet republics.The move comes a week after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan asked Moscow for assistance. A day prior, three of his countrymen were killed in a cross-border altercation with Azerbaijani forces – a battle that only ended when Russia stepped in with a ceasefire agreement.The newly arrived Russian troops are stationed in Tavush province, a region in the north of Armenia. Writing on Twitter, the Armenian Ministry of Defense revealed that the construction of facilities for the foreign border guards was underway.“Given the current situation, I think it makes sense to consider the question of stationing outposts of Russian border guards along the entire length of the Armenian-Azeri border,” Pashinyan said during a government meeting on July 29.Russian peacekeepers are already stationed in outposts near critical towns and villages as part of the Moscow-backed deal, signed last November, which paused the fighting in a brief but violent war between the two nations.On November 9, Moscow oversaw a ceasefire between the two parties, which determined that Azerbaijan could keep the areas of Nagorno-Karabakh regained during the conflict. Armenia also agreed to withdraw from neighboring regions, with both countries agreeing to allow Russian troops to be stationed in the region.The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh re-escalated last September. The dispute is decades old, with both countries believing they have legitimate claims to the territory. The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians. Baku considers the enclave to be illegally occupied by Yerevan, which still controls a large amount of its land.https://www.rt.com/russia/531365-troops-border-help-altercations/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 PanArmenian, ArmeniaAug 6 2021VIDEO: Azeris deliberately setting fire to areas near Armenian borderAugust 6, 2021 - 18:29 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - A new video has surfaced to show Azeri troops deliberately setting fire to areas between Armenian and Azerbaijani positions near Yeraskh, Ararat province.Fresh footage proves that the Azerbaijani side not only opens fire on the grass near the Armenian positions, but also deliberately throws burning objects onto the area. A vast territory is seen burning and smoking as a result.The Defense Ministry reported earlier that the Azerbaijani troops have been firing on Armenian positions since Friday, August 6 noon. The Azeris are using various caliber firearms to target the Armenian posts, which has resulted in the grass cover between positions catching fire. The Armenian side is taking suppressive measures to silence the Azerbaijani fire, the Ministry said. No casualties have been reported.https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/294862/VIDEO_Azeris_deliberately_setting_fire_to_areas_near_Armenian_border Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 8, 2021 Report Share Posted August 8, 2021 News.am, ArmeniaAug 7 2021 New provocation of Azerbaijanis in Black Lake area: no casualties reported16:07, 07.08.2021 Units of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan on August 7, from 11:40 to 12:00, once again resorted to provocation, opening fire from firearms of various calibers in the direction of the Armenian positions located, in particular, on the Black Lake section of the Syunik region of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.As the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry told NEWS.am, the opponent's fire was suppressed by the retaliatory actions of the Armenian military personnel. There are no casualties from the Armenian side.https://news.am/eng/news/657366.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 11, 2021 Report Share Posted August 11, 2021 PanArmenian, ArmeniaAug 10 2021 Azerbaijani forces deliberately setting fire to Armenian wheat fields PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani forces have been deliberately setting fire to wheat fields belonging to the residents of an Armenian village near the border, Pastinfo cited a local official as saying on Monday, August 9. The head of the village of Agarak in Syunik province, Hayk Sahakyan, said the villagers can see the Azerbaijanis burning the area on purpose. He said the fire has reached the fields belonging to the locals, and that they were unable to extinguish it. The town chief revealed on Monday that the Azeris burned 16 ha of land within two days. According to him, the villagers had fortunately managed to harvest the wheat, but more work was needed to prepare and maintain the soil for sowing. The hay and the fodder were gone too, he added. Firefighters have been working in the village but some 40 families have already suffered from Azerbaijan's provocation, Sahakyan said. https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/294907/Azerbaijani_forces_deliberately_setting_fire_to_Armenian_wheat_fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 12, 2021 Report Share Posted August 12, 2021 Armenpress.com Azerbaijan attacks Artsakh army positions with combat drones SaveShare 10:56, 11 August, 2021STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military attacked Artsakh’s Defense Army military positions with combat drones in the morning of August 11.“On August 11, around 08:29 - 08:58, Azerbaijan used strike UAVs in the direction of Defense Army positions. The Armenian side didn’t suffer casualties,” the Defense Army said, adding that they provided information and facts about the attack to the Russian peacekeeping command. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1060426.html?fbclid=IwAR3k6J13rIxwXiz4bJMikC_igaPyD-_umetJyDm--jFjT6jzw7HNK8w-3Mg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 12, 2021 Report Share Posted August 12, 2021 Are they allowed to use those modern weapons? That is my question! Armenpress.com Russia ready to support modernization of Armenian military, says Shoigu SaveShare 15:19, 11 August, 2021YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. Russia is ready to support Armenia in modernizing its military, Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu told Armenia’s Minister of Defense Arshak Karapetyan during a meeting in Moscow, TASS reports.“We attach important significance to the development of our partnership in the military sector in both bilateral format and within the CSTO. Moreover, we are ready to continue supporting the implementation of the reforms programs in the Armenian Armed Forces,” Shoigu said. He reminded that the well-equipped 102nd Russian military base in Armenia is a guarantor of security. “Armenia is Russia’s ally and key partner in ensuring peace in Transcacuasia, and we are very eager in preserving peace in that region,” the Russian Minister of Defense said.Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1060467.html?fbclid=IwAR1v_h8qFDBm34kAv2Wr5OPCRI89qG39plWMg4O2xO_CahHP_NiP7gIKsYo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 12, 2021 Report Share Posted August 12, 2021 Armenpress.com Intimidating people of Artsakh, the enemy pursues the goal of evicting Armenians from Artsakh – Artsakh’s FM SaveShare 21:45, 11 August, 2021YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS/ARTSAKHPRESS. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry issued a statement on August 11 that allegedly in the previous days Armenia violated the November 9, 2020 trilateral declaration of ceasefire and deployed new military forces in Artsakh, adding that the Azerbaijani army will take all necessary measures.Commenting on these provocative announcements of the Azerbaijani side, Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan said in an interview with ARTSAKHPRESS that the announcement of the defense ministry of Azerbaijan is nothing but a provocative and terroristic step. "By intimidating the people of Artsakh and forcing them to lose faith in the future of Artsakh, the enemy aims to evict Armenians from Artsakh. Azerbaijan is trying to cover up its aggressive actions in various directions by spreading similar false announcements. It is not ruled out that the enemy, on the advice of Turkey, is also trying to strike a blow at the Armenian-Russian brotherhood, overshadowing the mission of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region. We call on our compatriots not to succumb to the provocations of the enemy and to remain calm’’, ARMENPRESS reports Babayan as saying. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1060513.html?fbclid=IwAR0Y6fW2Pr-88pGmFzMB6I3xRjV562VcQEGsP8pV9fQuNQAkwtKZCW0nD-E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 12, 2021 Report Share Posted August 12, 2021 Let's see if it's all carrot or sticks! Armenpress.com We can consider arms supply to Armenia has kicked off – Shoygu to Armenian Defense Minister SaveShare 22:50, 11 August, 2021YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. At the end of the meeting with Defense Minister of Armenia Arshak Karapetyan, during gift-giving ceremony, the Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu presented the Armenian Defense Minister with a sword, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MoD Armenia.Presenting the sword, Sergey Shoygu said, ''We can consider that the process of arms supply to Armenia has kicked off''. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1060519.html?fbclid=IwAR0n57XzpDdW_dmHgg2PJ7ghXAxH6dJvVNOVvmLJFvXw6kp5fNS6PMojo9M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 Armenpress.com Azerbaijani armed forces attempt to breach Artsakh line of contact SaveShare 16:20, 12 August, 2021STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani military units attempted to breach the line of contact into Artsakh from the western direction during the night of August 12, the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh said.The Azeri attempt was thwarted by Artsakh Defense Army countermeasures and the Azeri troops were repelled to their original positions. “There are no casualties from the Armenian side. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Republic of Artsakh was immediately notified about the Azerbaijani provocation,” the Defense Ministry said.Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1060598.html?fbclid=IwAR2J5L3b1gXfJd1WNxsCi6Np2N1npZlygy-F1-73MKvps8Nx0VXBrfHWXGw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 13, 2021 Report Share Posted August 13, 2021 ASIA TIMES Aug 11 2021 Long-term effects of foreign fighters in Karabakh clash Mercenaries not only committed atrocities during the war itself, but honed their skills to carry out jihadist terror elsewhere By TATIANA KANUNNIKOVAAUGUST 11, 2021 Isn’t it surprising how fast the topic of Syrian mercenaries in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war has faded out, despite reports about thousands of foreign fighters sent to support Azerbaijan? Reuters quoted two Syrians saying that they – along with around 1,000 other militants – were deployed to Azerbaijan. These men were members of Jaish al-Nukhba and Ahrar al-Sham, both designated as terrorist groups by a number of countries. In October, French President Emmanuel Macron said that fighters from “jihadist groups” in Syria had passed through Turkey on their way to Azerbaijan. Remarkably, what motivated foreign mercenaries to fight on behalf of Azerbaijan was money rather than jihadist ideology. They were promised up to US$2,000 per month for their service to Azerbaijan – lower than the salaries of fighters recruited for Libya, but still a large sum for those living in Syria. Radical jihadist ideology, on the other hand, seemed to be out of play. The thing is that 85% of Azerbaijan’s Muslims are Shia while only 15% are Sunni. The two sects are long-standing enemies, and dying for Nagorno-Karabakh would not guarantee martyrdom, according to some jihadist preachers. Of course, one shouldn’t discount Azerbaijan’s Sunni minority, and Armenia claimed that the mercenaries had already made attempts to impose sharia law. Also, some Salafist thinkers, such as Abdullah al-Muhaysini of Saudi Arabia, might have encouraged Islamists to fight in Nagorno-Karabakh. Anyway, the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict does not seem to be a classic jihad story. Career mercenaries What the participation of Syrian mercenaries did was expand the conflict beyond Nagorno-Karabakh. Of course, it’s not about the spread of hostilities into other regions. The involvement of Syrian fighters in the Nagorno-Karabakh war threatened to give a boost to global jihad. No matter what their goal was, jihadis received both financing and training. More important, creating a war zone where the skills and experience of jihadist fighters are in demand means supporting a sort of ecosystem that keeps terrorists afloat. For instance, a team of American and European researchers published a report last year examining individual jihadis who served as foreign fighters, building “careers” in different conflicts. According to the document, many of them enjoyed “career progression from foot soldiers to top leadership.” The researchers cited the data on more than 50 career foreign fighters who served in multiple conflicts and eventually became influential in the global jihadist movement. Little is known about what has happened to those foreign fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that more Syrian mercenaries died in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia than in the Libyan conflict, providing a figure of 541 dead. Some have returned to Syria but the whereabouts of others are still unknown. And this is where the concern arises. War crimes and responsibility As Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan put it, foreign mercenaries were “a threat not only to the security of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia but also to international security, and this issue should become a subject of an international investigation.” However, despite all the existing evidence, Baku denied the accusations, describing them as “complete nonsense.” How could Azerbaijan benefit from the involvement of Syrian mercenaries in the conflict? The question is not so much one of their skills, but of their propensity to violence. For instance, a video posted by The France 24 Observers team shows the Sultan Murad Division deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh. This group is notorious for its war crimes in previous conflicts and torturing Kurdish prisoners in particular. Would they treat Armenian prisoners differently? In this context, atrocities committed by Azerbaijani forces seem to be in line with the plans to recruit foreign mercenaries. In December, two elderly civilians who refused to leave their villages were beheaded by Azeri forces. If not for videos shared on messaging apps, this story wouldn’t have even surfaced. Another video appears to feature two Armenian soldiers executed by members of Azerbaijan’s military. The war crimes allegedly committed by Azeri forces and the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries are just different sides of the same coin. Both serve the purposes of intimidation. The European Parliament has condemned the fact that Azerbaijan has been torturing Armenian prisoners of war. Joel Boehme, a board member of the pan-European party Volt Europa, shared his thoughts on the matter. “First and foremost, Volt firmly condemns all violence against civilians and against prisoners of war, as going against the principles of the Geneva Conventions and the basic rights, human dignity and integrity that we, Volt, promote across Europe,” he told this writer. “As for the reports about abuse perpetrated by Azeri forces,” he continued, “I have seen such news myself from for example Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International – which tend to be reliable whistleblowers – and the behavior called out in such reports is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable. I call for the international community at large, and certainly the EU, to raise its voice and investigate the claims independently. “In general, we need to return to the process outlined in the Madrid Principles, and try to repair the damage done by the latest war and its aftermath, to the attempts to build peace and solve the Karabakh issue. “As for the EU, it is good that the European Parliament passed a resolution with a massive majority [including Volt’s MEP], demanding the release of the prisoners of war, and condemning troubling actions undertaken by Azeri forces. “All sides must respect human rights and international law. We, Volt, have publicly demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the prisoners of war since 24 April this year, and we [will] continue to do so until they are all allowed to come home,” Boehme said. Cruelty may win a war, but only for a short time. It is the silence of others that makes that victory permanent. That is why it is crucial that the international community ensures that everyone responsible for war crimes is held accountable. https://asiatimes.com/2021/08/long-term-effects-of-foreign-fighters-in-karabakh-clash/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 Panorama, ArmeniaAug 13 2021 Defense Army: The Azerbaijani side preparing grounds for provocations The Artsakh Defense Army denies the report of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, alleging the Armenian side has opened fire toward Azeri positions on August 13, at around 02:30, in the direction of Yukhar, Veysali, Sghnakh villages as well as Shushi town. "This report does not correspond to reality," the Army said on Friday in a released statement. According to the Artsakh Republic military, it is obvious that with these false statements the Azerbaijani side prepares grounds for future provocative actions. "The units of the Defense Army strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement and resort to response actions for only countering the Azeri provocations," the statement added. https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/08/13/defense-army-Azerbaijan-provocations/2549179 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 The Moscow Times Aug 13 2021 Russia Blames Azerbaijan for Breach of Karabakh Truce in Post-Ceasefire First The Russian military has blamed Azerbaijan for breaching its volatile truce with Armenia for the first time since deploying its peacekeeping mission, South Caucasus media reported Friday. Moscow has deployed around 2,000 peacekeepers in and around the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh to observe the ceasefire between the arch-enemies reached last November. Deadly clashes continued around Nagorno-Karabakh in the months since, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijani forces of several intrusions and seizure of new territories. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that its peacekeepers had observed one truce violation in the previous 24 hours. “The Azerbaijani armed forces carried out two strikes using attack-type quadcopters on the position of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations,” it said on its website. “There were no casualties.” The Open Caucasus Media news outlet noted that the statement marked the “first time Russian authorities have explicitly blamed one side for violating the ceasefire” in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian Defense Ministry previously described ceasefire breaches in more neutral terms, saying it was sending requests to both parties to respect the truce. The Kremlin has also cold-shouldered Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s requests for Russian border guards along the Azerbaijani border to prevent further escalation. Russia has offered to help resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani disputes by working with the two sides to demarcate the borders. Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s ethnic Armenian region that broke away from Baku after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The six-week war last fall that ended in a rout for the Armenian military and sparked mass protests in the country left 6,500 people dead on both sides. AFP contributed reporting. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/08/13/russia-for-the-first-time-blames-azerbaijan-for-breach-of-karabakh-truce-reports-a74782 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 Asbarez.com Azerbaijan in Talks to Buy $2 Billion More Israeli Armsby Asbarez Staff August 13, 2021 in Armenia, Artsakh, Latest, News, Top Stories A Israeli suicide drone sold to Azerbaijan Citing fears of another war in Karabakh, Azerbaijan is reportedly in negotiations to purchase $2 billion more in weapons from Israel.The Israel Hayom (Today) news site reported on Thursday that Azerbaijan is negotiating to sign contracts with Israeli defense companies. One of the factors for the new deal, the news site suggests, is the growing exchange of fire on the Armenia and Azerbaijani border, which could result in full-blown war.The second factor, the site said, is the growing relations between Israel and Azerbaijan since last fall’s 44-day war, as well as “the historic opening of the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Tourism in Israel.”Beyond this deal, Baku is currently negotiating with Israeli companies from various sectors, as well as Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry cargo planes that are transporting all types of ammunition, including ballistic missiles and aircraft, and landing at Israel-based airport all the time, including in recent days. Israel Hayom reported that the transport deals alone, which are expected to be signed in the coming months, are worth hundreds of million of dollars.The news site said that the defense contract would further cement relations between Baku and Tel Aviv “despite pressure from Armenia and through the Armenian lobby around the world against arms deals between Israel and Azerbaijan.”The recent establishment of the the Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv indicates that Baku’s ambition is for the new missions in Israel to further relations. Also on Tuesday, an independent commentator in Turkey, Oğul Tuna, said that the establishment of Azerbaijan’s trade and tourism bureaus was one step before the opening of an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel, reported Israel Hayom. If this does materialize, Azerbaijan will become the second Shiite-majority country to have an embassy in Israel. On March 30, Bahrain opened its first embassy in the Jewish State. https://asbarez.com/azerbaijan-in-talks-to-buy-2-billion-more-israeli-arms/?fbclid=IwAR1zOoPLHvXWU83zKAqgfFehU5-S_kHIKFiLMZfNGiOcyF_JLnLA3NjxmnE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 14, 2021 Report Share Posted August 14, 2021 News.am, ArmeniaAug 14 2021 Azerbaijanis remove sculptures at Karabakh’s Shushi Museum of Fine Arts park (PHOTOS)12:03, 14.08.2021 Satellite imagery shows that between April 10 and June 5, the 51 sculptures in the park of the Shushi Museum of Fine Arts in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) were removed and the area completely cleared, the Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW) informed on Facebook.CHW is concerned about the condition of these artworks, which are the property of that museum.Also, CHW asks Azerbaijani authorities to disclose the location of the confiscated sculptures and plans for public access. Were curators and conservationists involved in their removal? Is the removal in line with Chapman Taylor's new master plan for the city? https://news.am/eng/news/658246.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 16, 2021 Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 (edited) It's Russia's way of saying to fake sultan, you have gone too far for our liking!Daily Sabah, TurkeyAug 15 2021 Russia’s statements on arming Armenia 'worrying' says AzerbaijanANKARA PoliticsAug 15, 2021 11:56 am GMT+3Russian President Vladimir Putin ® and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting at the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo)by DAILY SABAHAug 15, 2021 11:56 am Moscow’s recent statements on arming Yerevan is “a worrying issue,” Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stated Saturday, saying that Baku expects Russia not to arm Armenia.“We hope that Russia continues to spare no effort for the security of the region and take steps to ensure lasting peace. At the same time, our expectation is that Russia will not arm Armenia. We have brought this issue to the attention of Russian officials,” Aliyev said during an interview with CNN Turk.“We do not see it happening yet, but there have been some statements by Russia,” he added.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated last week that Russia will help reequip and modernize the Armenian Armed Forces, praising Yerevan as "Russia's ally and a key partner in the Caucasus region.”Shoigu promised further support to the country as he greeted his Armenian counterpart, Arshak Karapetyan, at a meeting in Moscow. Armenia had previously requested Russian military support. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian last month proposed that Russian border forces be stationed along the length of its border with Azerbaijan amid rising tensions between Yerevan and Baku, the TASS news agency reported.Aliyev also reminded that the Armenian defense forces made “very irresponsible statements” that if the Azerbaijani side trespassed the Armenian border by one centimeter, then they would open fire.Aliyev said that although the area in Khankandi (Stepanakert) under the control of the Russian peacekeeping mission is safe, the situation on the border with Armenia is worrying.The president underlined that no matter how much arms are poured into Armenia, the balance of power will not change.“Over the past 30 years, Russia provided Armenia with billions of dollars worth of free weapons – some of which are now on display in our Military Trophy Park – but the Armenian army has been completely dismantled.”Speaking on new projects in the liberated Nagorno-Karabakh region, Aliyev said that new corridors will provide several opportunities for regional countries including Armenia.He said that the Zangezur corridor will be a second connection with Turkey after the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.“At the same time, Azerbaijan will be connected to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is an integral part of the country, by rail. We also demand that a highway be built in the Mehri region of Western Zangazur, which is under Armenian control,” Aliyev highlighted, indicating that Yerevan opposes this idea as it had also opposed the Zangezur corridor.Aliyev explained that Turkey will be able to transport its goods to Central Asia using a shorter route, making it a new transport project for Eurasia. He said that they have already moved forward with this initiative.Zangezur was part of Azerbaijan, but in the 1920s the Soviets gave the region to Armenia. After this move, Azerbaijan lost its link with Nakhchivan.Some parts of the railway between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, which were destroyed during the Armenian occupation period, will be repaired. Following the completion of the railway, Azerbaijan will be able to reach Iran, Armenia and Nakhchivan uninterruptedly by train. The railway will also link Turkey to Russia through Azerbaijan.Aliyev underlined that the European Union is also looking positively at the corridor.“During a recent visit of the president of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel, to Baku, we had a broad exchange of views on this issue, and they, of course, strongly support this project.”Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.The Armenian army initiated fresh clashes on Sept. 27, 2020, and continued its attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces for 44 days, even violating two humanitarian cease-fire agreements.Baku liberated several cities and nearly 300 of its settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation during this time.On Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russia-brokered deal to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive solution.A joint Turkish-Russian center was established to monitor the truce. Russian peacekeeping troops have also been deployed in the region. However, attacks by Armenia on the mutual border have increased in the past few weeks. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/russias-statements-on-arming-armenia-worrying-says-azerbaijan/news Edited August 16, 2021 by Yervant1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 WION NewsAug 16 2021 Armenia says one of its soldiers killed by sniper from AzerbaijanReutersArmenia's defence ministry said in a statement that an Armenian soldier was shot dead by a sniper from Azerbaijan on Monday, as border tensions between the countries continue.Armenia last month proposed that Russia station border outposts along the length of Armenia's border with Azerbaijan.https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-says-one-of-its-soldiers-killed-by-sniper-from-azerbaijan-406063 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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