New Developments in the Sevan Lake Area: Azerbaijanis Regret Their Decision

Yesterday, we prematurely rejoiced that negotiations near Sevan Lake had successfully concluded and the enemy would retreat from the occupied positions. However, we later learned that they would not withdraw completely, but only two kilometers back, with four positions being established from each side and permanent duty being set up for both Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, as reported by "Hraparak."

“Just now, we contacted Syunik and learned from at least two sources that the Azerbaijanis have not retreated as of this moment. Moreover, our side saw them packing their belongings in the morning, believing that the enemy would move away and reposition themselves in the areas agreed upon during the negotiations. However, about half an hour ago, the Azerbaijani battalions dismantled their packed items and settled in again. They have brought food from Azerbaijan and supplied weapons. It is evident that something has changed in the morning, and the Azerbaijani side has rejected their intentions from yesterday,” our source from Syunik stated.

According to information from our interlocutor, before retreating from Sevan Lake, Nikol Pashinyan promised Azerbaijan to grant 12 villages in the Tavush region and Tigranashen near Kyarik, and the issue of providing two corridors in Syunik, which would connect Azerbaijan with Turkey, is also on the table. Some Azerbaijanis reported yesterday that the implementation of the agreements, including the provision of corridors, would begin at midnight on May 17. It is highly likely that Pashinyan's speech at the Security Council meeting this morning, in which he stated that there is no talk of any corridor, angered the Azerbaijani side, prompting them to cancel yesterday's agreement.

It is clear that Pashinyan is saying one thing to the Azerbaijani side and quite another to Armenia, which irritates the opposing side. The enemy's reckless behavior and audacity stem from this deceit.

By the way, no one in Syunik knows who is participating in the negotiations on behalf of the state. We were informed that neither representatives from the General Staff nor from the number one army corps attended yesterday's negotiations. They are only aware that Rustam Muradov is currently representing the interests of the Armenian side and is doing everything possible to ensure the Azerbaijanis withdraw from Sevan Lake. Meanwhile, the Armenian forces have been instructed to pull back after yesterday’s supposedly successful negotiations.