Azerbaijan's Actions Are Not Provocations, They Are Military Operations with Specific Goals: Hovhannisyan

Azerbaijan's actions cannot be qualified as provocations because they no longer fit the definition of a provocation; they are military operations that Azerbaijan is conducting within the territory of the Republic of Armenia with specific goals. This was stated by military expert Karen Hovhannisyan in an interview with the 'Kentron' television channel.

According to the expert, one of the objectives of Azerbaijan's military operations is to gain leverage in the diplomatic arena. 'Azerbaijan is trying to seize territories from Armenia and turn those territories into a bargaining chip to achieve its goals, which include what it and Turkey desire: the so-called 'Zangezur corridor',' Hovhannisyan stated.

He also spoke about Azerbaijan's territorial claims over Armenia. 'Azerbaijan's goal is to be able to advance in the territory of Armenia to some extent. It doesn't matter if it makes positional movement or takes control of a settlement. The important thing is to take something under its control—be it a height, settlement, or position; it doesn't matter,' the military expert said.

Hovhannisyan assessed that Armenia's response actions before the early parliamentary elections were not adequate, as priority was given to negotiations with the adversary in the presence of enemy fire; however, there is now a sentiment that the Armenian side's disposition has changed, given that Azerbaijan has also altered its tactics.

'After the elections, Azerbaijan has shifted to targeted military operations; they have started targeting military personnel as well as, why not, also the civilian population,' Hovhannisyan stated.