Azerbaijanis Accumulate in the Gorge, Says Shurnukh Village Head

The head of Shurnukh village, Hakob Arshakyan, informed "Factinfo" in an interview that the situation in Shurnukh, which was divided into two parts after the war, remains unchanged; they have to see Azerbaijani flags and the enemy located in their village every day.

"The situation is the same, the Turks are entrenched in their place; it's not that they are making aggressive movements—their position is silent," Arshakyan said. He noted that the Azerbaijani side continues to carry out construction work and strengthen its positions. The village residents are aware of the enemy's accumulations, but they do not see them directly.

"They are conducting construction work. You can see with the naked eye that they are building and reinforcing their positions. There are accumulations. They are generally gathering in the gorge, which is not visible from our side," he added.

Arshakyan has traveled along the Goris-Kapan road, where the Azerbaijani side has set up a checkpoint. Cars accumulate every hour, and they are escorted by Russian peacekeepers. He stated that passing through that section evokes only disgust.

"Any person feels disgust from their aggressive behavior. No matter how ordinary a citizen is passing through, they should feel tense because it’s inevitable to see their standing positions and formations. They stand in the middle of the road; you have to come and maneuver around them to pass without hitting them. Approximately every hour, with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, the convoy escorts residents. About 20-30 cars gather, and the Russians have to pass through that section," he said.

Arshakyan also confirmed information that Azerbaijanis are actively engaging in construction work on both sides of the Goris-Kapan road. It is expected that the information regarding the construction of a gas station will soon be confirmed. "It is visible to all passersby. There is a checkpoint; construction is being conducted like a gas station. It might not end up being a gas station in the end; they might name it something else, but yes, that is a gas station," he added.

The renovation of the Tatev-Aghvani republican significance highway is underway. At the end of 2021, according to promises, we will have the Tatev-Aghvani republican significance road bypassing the Goris-Kapan section. However, Arshakyan is concerned that the existing main road may not be utilized and may cause issues.

"If the main road is not used, the Kharahunj-Goris road remains on the right side. If one has to come through the same road, descend through Shurnukh, rise through Vorotan, and go through Khod village, I think Goris and Kharahunj will remain on the right wing, and gradually it will be our problem, I do not know," he stated.

Arshakyan does not rule out that Azerbaijanis could set up checkpoints in other areas of the road, especially since the main road was closed for several days at three different points months ago. He believes the goal is to establish control over the main road. "That is their principle; it is all clear. No matter how foolish a person may be, they should understand what they intend to do. They are taking over the road. Especially the Kharahunj-Vorotan section. I cannot say that they are taking over the entire main road of Shurnukh, but it is GPS-positioned to become theirs," he remarked.

The villagers are now engaged in their daily lives. There are no departures from the village, but according to Arshakyan, the problem is that villagers are gradually coming to terms with this situation, and everything is being done gradually so that the issue does not reach a critical point at once.

On October 4, it became known that 11 horses from Shurnukh village in Syunik province have crossed into the territory under the control of the enemy, but they have not yet been returned, and no compensation has been provided to the affected party. "Azerbaijanis never confirm; they always say it doesn’t exist, we will find them and return them, while the cows and horses continue to cross under their control. In any case, both the NSS and the border troops are aware. It has been reported to the regional administration, to the head of the interagency group; I believe compensation will be made," said Arshakyan.