No Incidents Reported Between Armenian and Azerbaijani Border Guards in Kiran

No incidents have occurred between Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards in Kiran related to the new road route, the National Security Service (NSS) assures in response to a query from ‘Azatutyun’.

Two weeks ago, the newspaper ‘Hraparak’ reported that incidents had occurred twice between the border guards of Azerbaijan and Armenia at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Kiran. According to the newspaper, Azerbaijanis claimed that a section of the new road being built in Kiran passes through Azerbaijani territory.

Azatutyun asked the NSS whether there had been any discussions or incidents between the Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards regarding the construction of the new road, and whether this road passes through Armenian territory after the border demarcation. The NSS, refuting claims of incidents with the Azerbaijani side, also confirmed that “the construction of the road fully passes through Armenian territory.”

The bridge leading to Kiran, which also included part of the interstate road, was handed over to the Azerbaijani side after the border demarcation. The Armenian side began construction of a new alternative road, which is now operational.

Despite the NSS's denial, a resident of Kiran, who wished to remain anonymous, told Azatutyun that such discussions had indeed occurred between the Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards, and that the Azerbaijanis had claimed that after taking measurements, a section of the new road had been constructed in their territory.