Now It’s Our Turn, and We Have No Right to Lose Syunik: Surik Khachatryan Addresses Residents

Former Governor of Syunik Surik Khachatryan has sent a message to the residents of Syunik, calling for unity to steadfastly protect the borders of Syunik, as parts of Artsakh have been handed over to the enemy, making Zangezur a border area.

“Dear residents of Syunik, the danger that has come from the depths of centuries has once again descended upon the head of the land of Syunik. The invincible Syunik is again in the enemy's sights. Due to the disgraceful capitulation agreement and the handover of Artsakh territories to the enemy, today Zangezur has become a border area. Moreover, certain parts of our region will soon fall under enemy control.

Now, more than ever, we must unite. Each of us, understanding the significance of the moment, must concentrate our potential, knowledge, and fighting skills on one goal: to steadfastly maintain our borders. Let us remember, back in May 1919, the 15,000-strong army led by Shikhlyinsky suffered a disgraceful defeat in Syunik, while in August-September 1920, the Soviet forces heading towards Zangezur under the capitulation plan fled the territory thanks to the detachments led by G. Nzhdeh.

Now it’s our turn, and we have no right to lose Syunik. By the oath of Davitbek, in the spirit of Nzhdeh, at the call of our ancestors, we must stand together with powerful organization and a high sense of responsibility before future generations beside the Highlands of Armenia. Remembering Nzhdeh’s words, let us not allow the backbone of Armenia to break.
'Syunik is the backbone of Armenia, without which Armenia could not exist.'