The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun) on Saturday issued a statement on the latest Azerbaijani provocations in Artsakh. The full statement is below.

“The latest developments were fully expected. Taking advantage of the fact that the world is focused on the conflict in Ukraine, Azerbaijan is taking steps to complete its anti-Armenian programs, the new stage of which began with the 44-day war.

"At the same time, in recent months the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan has taken obvious actions to hinder the Russian peacekeeping mission deployed in Artsakh under the terms of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement.

The disruption of gas supply to Artsakh amid freezing temperatures and the invasion of the village of Parukh and adjacent areas by Azerbaijan are aimed at expelling Armenians from Artsakh.

In these difficult times, it is necessary to counter the anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan and Turkey with nationwide forces.

For this purpose, it is necessary:

a) To appeal to members of the UN Security Council and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries not to ignore the anti-Armenian policy and steps of the Azerbaijan-Turkey duo against Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia.

b) Through protest actions against Azerbaijan and Turkey to draw the attention of political circles and the public to the policy of Armenophobia, which has gained a new momentum.

We demand that the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed in Artsakh ensure the withdrawal of the enemy forces to their starting positions and the maintenance of peace.

ARF supports the Defense Army of the Artsakh Republic and is ready to assist it in every possible way to ensure the security of the Artsakh people.

This anti-Armenian steps of the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance cannot go unanswered. The entire responsibility for the consequences of this policy lies with the two countries.”