Illuminations: Whose Claims About Azerbaijani Positions in Gegharkunik Are Correct? FIP Visits Border Villages

“Fact-Checking Platform” writes: “On October 18, the Human Rights Defender announced that since May, Azerbaijani forces stationed in the Gegharkunik province have constructed large shelters, accumulated firewood, and conducted extensive road and fortification works. The following day, the Ministry of Defense issued a clarifying statement, characterizing the issues raised by the Human Rights Defender as exaggerated and stating that ‘there are several inaccuracies in the recording, as well as claims that are disconnected from reality.’ Following the denial from the Ministry of Defense, the Human Rights Defender reaffirmed the issues raised and published several frames showing fortified positions and constructed roads by Azerbaijani armed forces.

In response, the Ministry of Defense reiterated its previous denial and urged the Human Rights Defender to ‘refrain from disseminating unverified information.’ The “Fact-Checking Platform” decided to clarify the validity of the Human Rights Defender’s claims and which side is distorting or hiding the truth.

On October 18, the alarm raised by the Human Rights Defender regarding the fortification efforts and accumulated supplies by Azerbaijani armed forces in the vicinity of the villages of Sotk, Kut, and Verin Shorja in Gegharkunik province was brought to attention. A team of journalists from the “Fact-Checking Platform” visited these villages on October 22 and 23 and photographed several Azerbaijani positions.

The Azerbaijani positions have not advanced in the vicinity of the village of Sotk. This is precisely the area where the Sotk gold mine is located, and as you recall, in late November of last year, when Azerbaijani armed forces were present in this area, negotiations were ongoing for several days in the territory of the mine between the representative of the Azerbaijani armed forces and the Russian side. Since then, there have been no movements of positions by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

In the border area of Sotk, the Azerbaijani position has not made any advancements. We were unable to photograph the Azerbaijani positions in the village of Kut because strict orders had been given to conscripts to prevent visual documentation in the area, which violated the legal professional activity of journalists. Despite this circumstance, the “Fact-Checking Platform” had previously compiled a rough map of the positions occupied by the Azerbaijani armed forces based on information and videos available online. These are clearly visible in satellite photographs.

Coordinates: 40.1672483, 45.9403143
In the Verin Shorja area, the situation was different. Azerbaijani armed forces have advanced several kilometers from the boundary line during the May incursion. There are even places where this advance measures 3 to 4 km in a straight line. Although the Armenian side has its own position opposite each Azerbaijani position, Azerbaijan has significantly fortified its positions over these months, and in some places, it is possible to see positions reinforced with tires and gabions designed for building barriers.

The position depicted in the photograph is located within Armenian territory, and the Ministry of Defense's denial that the fortified positions are on the other side of the border is obviously a fabrication. Another Azerbaijani position is situated on the mountain road connecting Verin Shorja with the village of Karmiraghbi, around 2 km deep within Armenian territory.

The “Fact-Checking Platform” photographed this area also on May 18 of this year, just days after the incursion. At that time, there was only one large tent in the Azerbaijani position. However, it seems that Azerbaijan's armed forces are now fully established at this location. Construction works have been carried out, and the position has been outfitted with sacks, tires, and other barriers. A flag of Azerbaijan has also been placed on a metal pole at the position.

The photograph depicts nearly the same site as in the previous image, but from a different angle. As can be seen, the engineering works conducted in the positions since May are obvious. On the Armenian side, a metal shelter, a tent, and a position secured with tires face the Azerbaijani positions fortified with stone structures, gabions, tires, and more. By the way, the Armenian and Azerbaijani positions are literally separated by just a few meters.

This example further proves that the issue raised by the Human Rights Defender—that since May, Azerbaijani forces in Armenia intend not only to remain in their positions but also to conduct fortification works—is indeed accurate. In addition, we have tried to visually represent how close the Azerbaijani forces are to the civilian population. One of the photos clearly shows the same positions with cows grazing in the field approximately 1.5 km away. This is further evidence of the repeated warnings issued by the Human Rights Defender that the presence of Azerbaijani forces poses a direct threat to the lives of civilians and their normal livelihoods.

In addition to all this, works on the mountain roads in the area are clearly evident. At this time, the available satellite photographs do not allow for a comparison of the road work done with past images, but it is clear that significant engineering works have been executed in the area—road widening, construction, and adjustment for vehicle movement, etc.

Satellite images reveal the new Azerbaijani positions, roads, and the fire damage caused by them near the villages of Kut and Shoghervan. The mountain road visible in the photo previously existed; however, judging by the fresh soil visible along its length, we can assert that serious engineering work has been performed on the road. This is further supported by the fact that several Azerbaijani positions are located at the foot of the mountain, and the road serves those positions.

Thus, we can state that since May, when Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia and positioned themselves near several villages in Gegharkunik province, fortification and road construction works have been carried out, supplies have been accumulated, and the Ministry of Defense is misleading when it characterizes the Human Rights Defender’s alerts as exaggerations or inconsistencies with reality. Although we did not manage to gather evidence regarding fortification works by Azerbaijani armed forces near the villages of Sotk and Kut, they were evident in Verin Shorja, and what the Human Rights Defender raised corresponds to reality.”