Volunteer fighters of the 2020 Artsakh war on Monday blocked the road leading to Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport to protest against the launch of flights between Yerevan and Istanbul and Armenian-Turkish normalization process.

The protest came shortly after two Azerbaijani lawmakers arrived in Yerevan to attend the meetings of the Bureau and the Committees of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (PA) slated for 21 and 22 February.

“We have gathered here to announce that we are against friendship with the Turks. Our soldiers are standing guard at combat positions to prevent the enemy from advancing, whereas the Turks are allowed to come here freely and drink coffee,” said one of the protesters in military uniform.

“Why on earth should the Turks come here? If I come across a Turk, I'll shoot him, are you setting me up? Wasn't it the Turks who slaughtered our children?” another angry protester said.

Police officers tried to force protesters out of the road, and a scuffle ensued. After several unsuccessful attempts, the police managed to restore traffic on the road.