We Are Unable to Be Helpful Due to NSS Restrictions: Goris Community Deputy Head

In Syunik, the situation remains tense, and negotiations are still ongoing. Some Telegram channels report that the tension is not decreasing, and Azerbaijani armed forces continue to expand their deployment map, while most community leaders and residents have no information, and the situation is relatively calm.

It should be noted that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have closed the roads particularly from Goris to Kapan, Goris to Shurnukh, and Goris to Vorotan. Several community leaders have already confirmed this fact and informed journalists that negotiations are still ongoing, with no precise information on what direction they will take.

In an interview with Pravda.am, Benjamin Poghosyan, the head of Davit Bek village in Syunik Province, noted that everything is calm in their village. "The road from our village is not blocked. We are speaking about the Goris-Kapan and Goris-Shurnukh roads," said the community leader, adding that there is nothing more to report at the moment, and negotiations are taking place. He assured that the situation in Davit Bek is normal at this time.

The Deputy Head of Goris Community, Karen Kocharyan, also stated in our conversation that what is happening now is just the beginning. "Currently, the roads are closed, and the three villages—Vorotan, Shurnukh, and Bardzravan—are inaccessible. We cannot be helpful as the NSS of Armenia does not allow movement for security reasons," he said, noting that no one knows what is happening in that area. "Beyond the post, we do not know what is going on." Regarding the negotiations, Kocharyan added that no information is being conveyed to community leaders and residents. "I only know one thing: this is just the beginning. It was expected since the Turks are not calming down. The governors of Syunik, who raised concerns, precisely had this anxiety. The Turk will not be silent for long," he stated.

Information was also circulated online that the Armenian-Iranian border is closed. We contacted the Meghri Community Administration, where we were assured that the situation in Meghri, especially in the border area, is calm. "Honestly, we have not received such information, and the situation in Meghri is quite peaceful at the moment. There are no problems regarding the roads in Meghri," said Mariam Muradyan, the spokesperson for the Meghri community, in response to the observation that the Armenian-Iranian road in Meghri is closed. There was no response to our calls from the Kapan municipality.

It should be noted that Syunik's Deputy Governor Kamo Avanesyan indicated in a conversation with Factinfo that the negotiations have yielded no results, as the Azerbaijani side refuses to negotiate with the Armenian side. "They are only ready to negotiate with the Russians," said the Deputy Governor, emphasizing that neighboring military personnel assured that the roads will be opened soon. Regarding alternative routes, the governor noted that there are such roads, but they are in need of renovation. It is worth recalling that around midnight, 50 Azerbaijani soldiers blocked the Goris-Kapan and Davit Bek roads.