Are There Concentrations at Armenia's Borders? The Ministry of Defense Responds

Considering the numerous reports circulating in the media regarding concentrations of Azerbaijani Armed Forces along the borders of Armenia and Artsakh, Auroranews submitted an inquiry to the Ministry of Defense of Armenia on March 20, asking whether the reports about Azerbaijani troop concentrations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are accurate, and what the scale of these concentrations might be.

In response to our written inquiry addressed to Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, it was noted that the minister had provided comprehensive answers regarding our questions during a press briefing with journalists on March 15.

On March 15, Papikyan stated during the press briefing: "The defense army regularly issues statements regarding concentrations around Nagorno-Karabakh, and Russian peacekeepers release daily reports; with this, I would suggest closing the topic. As for the Armenian borders, no concentrations have been recorded at this time." This was the response from the Minister of Defense.

It is important to emphasize that the Minister of Defense denied the reports of concentrations on March 15. However, shortly after, similar information began to spread rapidly. Even the chair of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs, independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan, addressed the topic in many posts, noting that movements of Azerbaijani troops and heavy equipment are being observed along the border with Artsakh and Armenia, even adding that this is visible to residents of border villages.

Nevertheless, in a response sent to us on March 31, the Ministry of Defense indicated that Suren Papikyan had provided comprehensive answers.

We should remind that Prime Minister Pashinyan stated during a government meeting on March 30 that subdivisions of the Azerbaijani armed forces, violating the first clause of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, had crossed the contact line near Shushi and occupied the 20/54 height, beginning engineering works. From that height, Azerbaijan has taken direct observation of the road connecting Stepanakert with the villages of Hin Shen and Mets Shen.

Earlier, we reported that Azerbaijani forces crossed the border of Armenia, moved into the fields in the Tegh community, and established positions.