Armenian Armed Forces Stand Their Ground, Responding Appropriately to Provocations, Deputy Chief of Staff

During a closed meeting in the National Assembly, various issues were discussed, including the operational-tactical situation in the border zones. I presented to the members of the factions the current situation on the borders. This was stated by Edward Asryan, the head of the Operational Management Department of the Armed Forces General Staff, during a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly today.

The Deputy Chief of Staff assured that the Armenian Armed Forces are standing their ground in the created operational-tactical environment, responding appropriately to a number of provocations by the enemy: “It is widely believed among our public that we are suffering losses while the enemy is not, which is not true and does not reflect reality; the enemy also has losses. We are controlling our borders, and we will perform the task set before our Armed Forces and military with honor,” said Edward Asryan.

Regarding what objectives Azerbaijan aims to achieve by provoking incidents at the borders, Asryan responded: “The enemy remains the enemy. Any state that is considered an adversary will try to exert pressure on the army of the opposing state through various means. Our adversary state is trying to pressure us in various ways, but it is not succeeding.” He noted that the enemy may not necessarily intend to advance but might simply wish to test how the Armenian side reacts to their provocative actions.

Commenting on recent statements made by Aliyev, the Deputy Chief of Staff emphasized that these do not provide a basis for the Armenian side: “The President of Azerbaijan can declare whatever he wishes, but that does not reflect reality; it is a distorted narrative. His statements do not serve as a basis for us; they actually heighten our alertness. Under the guise of his political statements, we are prepared to repel any organized provocative actions from him.”

As for whether there have been any positional changes besides the area of Lake Sevan during this period, Edward Asryan assured that after the incursion into the territory of the Republic of Armenia on May 12, the enemy has not achieved any success: “We are standing our ground and are prepared to counter any of his provocative actions,” said Edward Asryan.