Azerbaijani Vehicles to Pass Over 350 km in Armenia with Military Escort, Hovhikyan Publishes Map

Azerbaijani vehicles are set to traverse over 350 km within Armenian territory with military escort, effectively blocking local and international routes and restricting the free movement of Armenian citizens. This was reported by journalist and regional affairs expert Nairi Hovhikyan on his Facebook page, along with a map.

According to Hovhikyan, the NSS of Armenia has already put into circulation a document prepared on the basis of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's instructions, which plans to open three checkpoints for the movement of vehicles with Azerbaijan. As stated in the NSS announcement, checkpoints will be established at Sotk-Karabakh (near Vardenis) in Gegharkunik Province, Karahunj (near Goris) in Syunik Province, and the section near Yeraskh in Ararat Province.

Since Azerbaijan regularly asserts the necessity of land communication with Nakhichevan, it is understood that the most critical checkpoint for them is in Yeraskh, where Azerbaijani positions have long been established on the heights nearby.

The other two checkpoints, Sotk and Karahunj, will connect northern and southern Azerbaijan with the Sadarak settlement in Nakhichevan. In the map below, you can see the routes that, according to the Pashinyan-Aliyev agreement, the Azerbaijanis will follow. In one case, they will allegedly start from Gandzak (Ganja) and, after reaching Vardenis, enter Martuni, then pass through the village of Geghovit, go through the Vardenyats (Selim) mountain pass, passing near Yeghegnadzor, Arpi, Areni, Chivas, Yelpin, Zangakatun, Tigranashen, Paruyr Sevak, and reach the Nakhichevan border. This route is about 172 km long.

Considering that the safety of Azerbaijanis should be specially ensured, I assume their convoy will be accompanied by military personnel, probably Russians or even Armenian police. The sad experience of Artsakh shows that during the times when Azerbaijani convoys pass through Armenian roads, they are closed to Armenians.

This means, for example, that a resident of Martuni, Vardenis, or Yeghegnadzor may have to wait an hour until Azerbaijanis pass through their locality, after which Armenians will be allowed to move. And this can happen several times a week, perhaps every day. I first mentioned this danger back in 2021 while discussing the situation in Angevakot.

Recently, the road passing through the village of Geghovit in Martuni, which connects to the Vardenyats (Selim) mountain pass, is being rapidly renovated. I passed through that section the other day; they are making a fairly quality road. The road builders and locals are naturally unaware, but it would not be difficult to determine from internal circles why they are rushing to finish the paving of that section of the road. Azerbaijani convoys need to pass through quality roads.

Another similar route will start from near the village of Karahunj in Syunik Province, where a checkpoint is also installed. Azerbaijani vehicles will pass through the city of Goris, then reach Spandaryan, Sarnakunk, Tzghuk, Gorayk, Ughidzor, Saravan, and Vayk in Vayots Dzor Province, again blocking roads and preventing Armenians from moving. The Azerbaijani vehicles will then continue along the same route to reach Yeraskh and then the Nakhichevan border. This route is approximately 188 km long.

In effect, Azerbaijani vehicles will move over 350 km within Armenian territory, accompanied by military escort, blocking local and international routes and denying the free movement of Armenian citizens.

This is the reality we may expect if Nikol Pashinyan's agreement and instructions are carried out. I leave the conclusions especially to those living along or near the aforementioned routes, who may feel the full allure of the treacherous deal with the enemy on their own skin.