Monday, November 15 2021 10:36

ArmInfo. The developments on Armenia`s borders is an immediate threat to Armenian statehood, and the Armenian politico-military leadership`s behavior is in  conflict with the national interests. This is the only regrettable  conclusion to be drawn from the latest developments, especially on  Armenia`s southern borders.  

Specifically, Armenia`s Ministry of Defense reported that about  1:00pm, Nov. 14, Azerbaijani troops attempted an offensive along the  positions in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani  border. An intense exchange of fire took place. "The Armenian troops  prevented the advancement attempt and took up positions there. The  situation remains strained. Negotiations are currently under way with  the Russian side`s mediation to defuse the tension. No casualties are  reported by the Armenian side," reads a report.  On November 14  evening, the defense office reported a relative stabilization of the  situation in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border  as of 7:00pm. "Negotiations are under way to settle the situation. No  casualties have been reported by the Armenian side. It should be  noted that the social media reports that Azerbaijani military  equipment have entered Armenia`s territory do not correspond to the  facts," the report reads. On the other hand, despite our desire to  trust the reports by Armenia`s defense office, the Azerbaijani side  has released videos clearly showing the Armenian troops not receiving  a "fire" order and retreating to prevent a skirmish. Regrettably,  Armenia`s defense office is utterly silent, and t is not clear why  the Armenian troops on the front line cannot defend themselves and  the frontier. Moreover, toward the night the Azerbaijani troops were  reported to be setting up one more checkpoint in Armenia`s territory  with the Armenian authorities` tacit consent, without any legal  grounds. "At 00:00 Nov. 15, the Azerbaijani side will set up a  checkpoint in the section under its control on the Kapan-Chakaten  highway to exercise border and customs control. The Armenian side  will take reciprocal measures and set up bordr and customs checkpoint  on the highway. At the same time we inform you that a bypass highway  will be put into service late this year," reads a report by the RA  National Security Service. Thus, six Armenian villages have been  isolated from the outer world due to the Armenian authorities`  narrow-minded decision. it is noteworthy that Armenia`s Premier Nikol  Pashinyan, I response to opposition MPs` question as to the basis for  withdrawal of the Armenian troops from their position in Syunik,  admitted having issued the relevant order. He assured the MPs that he  ordered the Armenian troops to retreat dozens of kilometers inland to  prevent new clashes with the enemy. 

Under the circumstances, it is obvious that the actions of Armenia`s  politico-military leadership are not only contrary to Armenia`s  national interest, but are also an immediate threat to Armenian  statehood. With the Armenian leaderships` being unable or unwilling  to perform its direct functions to ensure Armenia`s security, we are  witnessing steady expansion into Armenia`s territory by the  Azerbaijani armed forces. This criminal inactivity by Armenia`s  authorities is pregnant with most negative consequences for Armenia.