ArmInfo.The shots and killings at the border are a continuation of the low-intensity conflict that has existed since the mid-2000s. Nothing new is happening, the border with Azerbaijan has simply changed, which now passes in Gegharkunik instead of Artsakh. Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"As for the recent Azeri attacks on Armenia, all these shelling and killings are an inseparable part of the strategy of pressure on Yerevan. Aliyev's constant statements on the "settlement of the Karabakh conflict" are elements of the same strategy, just as, the captive Armenians held by Azerbaijan, although Armenia believes that the status of Artsakh should be determined during the negotiations, " he said.
According to the political scientist's forecasts, the latest attacks on Gegharkunik will not lead to a large- scale war; nevertheless, a low-intensity conflict can be maintained, since this is part of Baku's strategy. The goal of this strategy, according to Iskandaryan, is to open a transport corridor for Azerbaijan through the territory of Armenia to Nakhchivan and Turkey, which will be controlled by non-Armenians. And of course, the signing of a peace treaty with conditions acceptable to Baku, which Aliyev will be able to present to the public as recognition of the borders of Azerbaijan by Armenia, and the de facto inclusion of Artsakh into Azerbaijan.
Commenting on the demands of Baku on the transfer of the so-called enclave villages, Iskandaryan noted that Azerbaijan is still asking for more in order to get less. However, this does not mean at all that if Yerevan concedes in something, than the turn of the enclaves will not come soon either. And to achieve all these goals, Aliyev presses on Armenia with shots, murders, prisoners of war, and diplomacy through third countries, mainly through Russia.
"The main problem in all this for Armenia is the absence of any prerequisites for ending this whole situation. It is not rational to expect that the Azerbaijanis, having received something, will calm down and stop shooting and killing. In the foreseeable future, Azerbaijan has no motivation to end the pressure, maintaining a nervous situation at the border. And as soon as Azerbaijan gains concessions from Armenia, it will continue pressure to achieve new ones, "the political scientist summed up.
On the morning of July 28, Azerbaijan began another shelling, assassinations and an offensive on the Armenian military positions and villages. After Syunik, Ararat and Tavush, the Gegharkunik region of our country once again became the target of enemy aggression. The Azerbaijani military conducted targeted shelling of the villages of Kut and Verin Shorzha. Three Armenian soldiers became the next victims of another Azerbaijani aggression. The Armenian army, according to the Ministry of Defense, took all the necessary actions in response to protect the country's borders and as of 09:20 am the enemy was thrown back to its original positions.