New Victories and Glory to My Beloved Army: Seyran Ohanyan Publishes Photos

Leader of the "Armenia" faction and former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan writes:

"On January 28, the entire Armenian community will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Armenian army. When speaking about the national army, we have always felt pride, recalling the truly heroic path traveled by the Armenian people in liberating Artsakh, establishing a strong security zone between Artsakh and Armenia, and building an inseparable threefold unity with the Diaspora during the years of the construction of the army and state. In those years, when in 1994, the adversary accepted its defeat, its audacity was sufficient only for provocations, which received a worthy counterattack, often being punished in its own territory.

During the April 2016 hostilities as well, unable to fulfill their assigned task, they asked for a ceasefire because the Armenian army—the Armenian soldier and officer—was thoroughly prepared to respond to the regularly emerging tensions at the borders and the enemy's provocations at any moment, qualitatively surpassing them in terms of superior combat skills and preparedness, and the whole people made the choice to defend their own land at the cost of their lives, not to surrender it.

The 44-day war in 2020 changed the situation, and it was the state that lost, not the army, for failing to defend Artsakh as we should have, as we could, as we were obligated to. The chain of losses and failures also extended after signing the statement on November 9, in the catastrophic situation created after the war, in an atmosphere of criminal impunity, where we persistently continued the process of surrendering our state’s strategic heights and roads, dismantling the army and our unity.

I assert once again, and I am steadfast in my beliefs, that the army is the structure that can first and most quickly heal the wounded back and emerge from this situation. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Armenian army, I extend my greetings to all veterans of the National Army—generals, officers, lieutenants, soldiers, volunteers, and defenders—of our Homeland, who have served the Republic of Artsakh and Armenia from the Artsakh war to today, performing daily feats both on the front lines and behind the scenes. I sincerely wish you new victories and glory. The 1988-1994 liberation movement of the Armenian people, the struggle for Artsakh will remain in the pages of history as a classic example of a difficult yet glorious victory, documented by your dedication, selfless struggle, and heroism.

Quick recovery and health to our wounded and disabled fighters. And may our captured and missing sons return to the Homeland, for whom thousands of hearts silently pray and wait in faith every moment.

Dear compatriots, no matter how difficult it may be, let us not succumb to pain and not surrender, but reinvigorate the traditional Armenian fighting spirit, national solidarity, and unity to restore the national ideological renaissance, mobilizing the pro-state, capable forces of the nation to prevent the decline of our nation and the destruction of our sovereignty, and objectively assessing the challenges directed at us, let us unite around the military intellectuals of the Armenian army, strengthening our resolve to uphold the right of the Armenian people to live and protect our statehood.

Glory and honor to the Armenian soldier and officer standing at the border. Glory and honor to those mothers and fathers who sacrificed their dearest for the salvation of the Homeland. Eternal respect and humility before the heroism and memory of the heroes who gave their lives for Artsakh and Armenia.

Photos are taken today at key positions along the border of the Republic of Armenia."