We Haven't Applied to the CSTO: Shavarsh Kocharyan Clarifies

Armenia has not sought help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated this in a conversation with journalists in Minsk, responding to the CSTO's reaction regarding Azerbaijan's aggressive actions at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

"According to the CSTO's regulations, there is a relevant article that states if there is an attack, you apply for assistance. We have not applied. Our goal was completely different - to inform our partners about the situation," said Kocharyan.

Regarding the CSTO's call for the de-escalation of the situation, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the organization had warned that if the situation did not stabilize and the Armenian side applied for assistance, they would have to get involved.

On July 12 at around 12:30 PM, Azerbaijani armed forces attempted to breach the Republic of Armenia's state border in the Tavush direction using a UAZ vehicle. After a warning from the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani servicemen abandoned the UAZ vehicle and returned to their positions. At 1:45 PM, Azerbaijani armed forces repeated their attempt to seize the Armenian armed forces’ border position while using artillery fire but were suppressed and pushed back with losses by the Armenian side.

Later, the Azerbaijani side resumed shelling towards the same position using an 82 mm mortar and tanks. On the morning of July 13, following a two to three-hour pause, the enemy resumed provocative actions by continuing to shell Armenian positions. During the night of July 14, movements of enemy tanks were observed from the positions of the RA Armed Forces, which were halted by fire from the Armenian side.

Since July 13, the adversary has targeted settlements, firing shells toward Chinari, Nerk’in Karmiraghbyur, and other areas, striking civilian infrastructures in Berd with an attack drone, although there were no casualties. The Azerbaijani side also launched three Grad missiles in the Berd direction. Four servicemen of the RA Armed Forces were killed, and ten were injured.

As of 00:15 on July 15, relative calm was maintained in the north-eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, but around 03:40 on July 16, the RA Armed Forces noticed enemy movements. Transitioning to circular defense, Armenian units prevented an attempted enemy infiltration. After fierce fighting and sustaining losses, the enemy was pushed back.

Subsequently, Azerbaijani units began shelling the villages of Aygepar and Movses at 05:20 using mortars and D-30 howitzers. Relative calm persisted at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border during the night of July 17. On July 14, the Collective Security Treaty Organization expressed serious concern regarding the escalation of the situation at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and called for an immediate ceasefire.