TURKISH press: Russian troops to secure Armenia’s border town Syunik

A view shows an armored personnel carrier of the Russian peacekeeping forces near Dadivank Monastery in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Nov. 24, 2020. (Hayk Baghdasaryan/Photolure via Reuters)

Armenia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian peacekeepers will secure the Syunik province, which is on the border with Azerbaijan.

According to a statement, a 21-kilometer area in the region, which has been a "problematic area," will be secured by Russian forces.

Russia previously announced its first deployment of peacekeepers to the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The peacekeepers were stationed both in Upper Karabakh and the adjacent Lachin corridor to monitor the implementation of a newly declared cease-fire, said the chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff, Sergei Rudskoy.

Rudskoy said 27 sorties had been made over the past 24 hours, delivering 414 military personnel, as well as 54 automobile units and equipment, eight helicopters and multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to Armenia.

Russian peacekeeping forces are now in control of the Lachin corridor and the Lysogorsky sovkhoz (state farm) section of the Lachin road, he added.

Noting that Russian troops had marched 300 kilometers (186 miles) and were fully deployed in settlements near the town of Goris in southeastern Armenia after unloading at the Erebuni Airfield in the capital Yerevan.

Russia also plans to set up 16 observation posts in the region.

Almost all Russian military personnel in the peacekeeping mission have previous experience in humanitarian operations in Syria, said Rudskoy, adding that a combat command group would monitor the situation around the clock.

"To carry out peacekeeping tasks, prevent possible incidents and ensure the safety of Russian military personnel, continuous interaction with the general staffs of the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia has been organized."

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced earlier that Azerbaijan and Armenia had signed a deal to end the conflict in Upper Karabakh.

Relations between the two former Soviet republics over Upper Karabakh have remained tense since 1991, but fresh clashes broke out on Sept. 27.

Since then, Armenia has repeatedly attacked Azerbaijani civilians and forces, even violating three humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

In total, about 20% of Azerbaijan's territory has been under illegal Armenian occupation for nearly three decades.

Pashinian faces calls to resign

Meanwhile, Thousands of Armenians marched through the capital Yerevan on Saturday to commemorate the soldiers killed in a six-week conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in which Azerbaijan made significant territorial gains.

The conflict and the fatalities on the Armenian side have increased pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, whom the opposition accuses of mishandling the conflict by accepting a Russian-brokered cease-fire last month, to resign.

Pashinian led the march, held on the first of three days of mourning, driving up to the Yerablur military cemetery to light incense on the graves of fallen soldiers along with other senior officials.

Although his supporters filled the cemetery to its brink, footage published on Armenian television showed Pashinian's critics shouting "Nikol is a traitor!" as his convoy passed by, escorted by heavy security.

Armenia's opposition has called on its supporters to join a national strike on Dec. 22, at the end of the three-day mourning period, to pressure Pashinian to resign over the losses incurred in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pashinian, who swept to power in a peaceful revolution in May 2018, has rejected calls to resign.

Ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh accused Azeri forces on Wednesday of capturing several dozen of their troops, putting further strain on a cease-fire deal that brought an end to the fighting last month.

The two sides have nonetheless begun exchanging groups of prisoners of war as part of an "all for all" swap mediated by Russia.

Moscow has deployed peacekeepers to police the cease-fire, but skirmishes have nonetheless been reported.

Dutch Parliament passes motion, calling for humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh

Public Radio of Armenia

Dec 17 2020

The Dutch Parliament passed a motion today, calling on the government to immediately offer humanitarian aid to Armenians affected by the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, in support of their basic necessities, such as food, shelter and medical aid, reports the Federation of Armenian Organizations in The Netherlands.

The motion establishes that many hospitals and other basic facilities in Nagorno-Karabakh have been devastated by the violence of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Syrian rebels.

It stressed the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for both the civilian population of Nagorno Karabakh and people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

From 27 September 2020 to 8 December 2020 there have been 22 motions submitted in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamen) of the Netherlands concerning the war violence by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Syrian rebels against Nagorno-Karabakh.




Sports: Mkhitaryan scores as Roma beat Torino 3-1

Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 18 2020
Mkhitaryan scores as Roma beat Torino 3-1

Roma eased into the top four in the fledgling Serie A standings with a comfortable 3-1 win over Torino on Thursday evening.

Aided by the early dismissal of Wilfried Singo, the Giallorossi took control of the game thanks to first-half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan (a pinpoint half-volley) and Jordan Veretout (nerveless from the penalty spot).

Lorenzo Pellegrini then grabbed his second goal in as many games midway through the second half to effectively wrap up the points, rendering Andrea Belotti’s subsequent finish little more than a finish.

The visitors did make a fist of it in the closing stages as they searched for a way back into the match, although a second goal that could have made things interesting proved beyond then – even if Simone Edera and Federico Bonazzoli both went close.

The Giallorossi have two more games before the winter break – they travel to face Atalanta on Sunday, before hosting Cagliari at the Olimpico next Wednesday.

Russia says it follows developments in Nagorno Karabakh after Azeri ceasefire breach

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 15:13,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Russia is following the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

“The information is really insufficient, we are following the developments,” he said, according to TASS.

Peskov’s comments come after the Azerbaijani military breached the ceasefire and attacked two villages in Artsakh, capturing them. Six Artsakh troops were wounded.

The Kremlin spokesperson said that such incidents are an additional burden for the Russian peacekeepers. “A really alarming situation happened, but it was very quickly neutralized,” Peskov added.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Police apprehend head of Armenian Revolutionary Freedom party during protests in Yerevan

TASS, Russia

Dec 12 2020
Currently, several processions follow towards the Liberty Square in the center of Yerevan from several different points, the he protesters plan to begin a "dignity March," demanding PM Pashinyan’s resignation

YEREVAN, December 11. /TASS/. The Armenian police apprehended Ishkhan Sagatelyan – the leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) political party – and other opposition activists during protests at the Yerevan’s Liberty Square, says Artur Vanetsyan, head of the Homeland political party and former National Security Service chief.

"What has Sagatelyan done to be forcefully apprehended?" Vanetsyan said.

Currently, several processions follow towards the Liberty Square in the center of Yerevan from several different points. The protesters plan to begin a "dignity March," demanding Pashinyan’s resignation. Due to streets blocked by protesters, traffic got jammed in various parts of Yerevan. Local news websites conduct livestreams from the streets. The police apprehend some activist from time to time.

The opposition blames Pashinyan for economic and social problems the republic suffers. The also claim that the November 9 trilateral joint statement on cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh effectively was a capitulation. Amid the protests, the President of Armenia proposed to hold snap parliamentary election, and until then to hand over the power to the government of national accord.



Armenia should decisively counter Turkey’s, Azerbaijan’s statements – expert

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 14:04,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The recent statements of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev show his expansionist aspirations towards Armenia, Expert on Turkish studies Ruben Safrastyan said at a press conference in Armenpress, stating that Aliyev, in fact, is telling the whole world about his aggressive policy.

“When the war started, I was already saying that Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s goal is not only to attack and capture Artsakh, conduct genocide against Armenians of Artsakh, but also to weaken the Republic of Armenia. In fact, Erdogan is trying to continue the genocidal policy adopted by Young Turks, by using Azerbaijan”, Ruben Safrastyan said, adding that the whole people in Azerbaijan are under influence of fake history propaganda.

The expert said Armenia should resolutely counter that statements. It should counter using both the historical facts, as well as revealing the main essence and goals of that dangerous, aggressive policy of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Safrastyan said it’s highly important to make it clear that the recent war unleashed by Turkey and Azerbaijan against Artsakh was out of all rules of war operations. They committed numerous crimes against humanity, which should be punished, according to the expert.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

President of Artsakh signs decree on 2021 winter military draft and demobilization

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 15:56,

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan has signed on December 11 a decree on conducting 2021 winter military draft and demobilization, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

According to the decree, male citizens of Artsakh to become 18 years old before December 31, who have not used the right to draft deferment or have lost it, will be called up to mandatory military service on January-February 2021.

The demobilization will take place in January 2021.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Turkey can open border if Armenia takes steps for peace: Erdogan

Business recorder
Dec 10 2020
  • Erdogan said he took issue with Armenia's leadership not its people.
  • Armenia could participate in the planned regional platform along with Turkey, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia if it contributed to regional peace, he said.
10 Dec 2020

ANKARA: Turkey could open its border gates to Armenia if Yerevan takes positive steps for regional peace, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, adding he discussed forming a six-country regional cooperation platform with his Azeri counterpart.

Erdogan, in Baku to mark Azerbaijan's victory in a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, earlier renewed a call for a change of leadership in Armenia.

Speaking alongside Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Erdogan said he took issue with Armenia's leadership not its people. Armenia could participate in the planned regional platform along with Turkey, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia if it contributed to regional peace, he said.

Armenian Parliament’s discussion on return of POWs from Azerbaijan to be held in closed format

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 10:59, 8 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament’s urgent debate scheduled today relating to the issue of the return of Armenian prisoners of war and captured citizens from Azerbaijan will be held in a closed format.

The respective decision was approved by the Parliament with 68 votes in favor and 2 votes against.

The ruling My Step faction has made this proposal.

Meanwhile, the opposition Bright Armenia faction said the debate must be held in an open format so that citizens will be fully informed about the issue.

The opposition Prosperous Armenia faction is not participating in the session.

 

Edited and Translated by Aneta Harutyunyan