Author: Jhanna Virabian

Turkish press: Iraq mulls buying Turkish drones, helicopters, military hardware

Jhanna Virabian
 ISTANBUL DEFENSE 
AUG 29, 2021 3:58 PM GMT+3

A Bayraktar TB2 UCAV belonging to the Ukrainian army, during a parade to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug. 24, 2021. (AA Photo)


Iraq has reportedly expressed its interest in buying Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), helicopters and military hardware.

Speaking on Iraqi television, Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Anad Saadoun reportedly said that Iraq had “reached a consensus” with Turkey concerning the purchase of that country’s Bayraktar TB2 UCAV.

Saadoun also said that his government “intended” to purchase 12 individual T129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopters (ATAK) and sent a “request to buy” six of Turkey’s Koral electronic warfare systems.

The minister’s remarks came after he attended the International Defense Exhibition (IDEF 2021) in Istanbul earlier this month. He met with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar and held meetings with senior Turkish defense industry officials.

Saadoun said they asked the Turkish side to prepare and send project offers. He reportedly said they would evaluate the process after the offers reach them by Tuesday.

Developed by drone magnate Baykar, the Bayraktar TB2 – with its electronic, software, aerodynamic, design and sub-main systems fully designed and developed nationally – stands out among the world’s most advanced UAV systems in its class with its flight automation and performance.

Capable of operating both day and night, the Bayraktar TB2 has a record altitude of 27,030 feet for over 24 hours in the air and can carry 150 kilograms (over 330 pounds) of payload.

Having been heavily used by the Turkish security forces, the UCAV has already been incorporated into the arsenals of Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Qatar.

In May, Poland became the first European Union and NATO member state to acquire drones from Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said earlier this year that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones.

Latvia also hinted that it could be the second European Union and NATO member state to acquire the Turkish UCAVs. Albania is also interested in striking a deal to procure Bayraktar TB2.

Armenpress: Armenia needs support of intl. partners for repatriation of POWs – Justice Minister meets Head of ICRC delegation

Jhanna Virabian

Armenia needs support of intl. partners for repatriation of POWs – Justice Minister meets Head of ICRC delegation

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 18:19, 3 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. For ensuring the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, Armenia needs the strong support of international partners and the strengthening of international pressure in this regard, ARMENPRESS reports Justice Minister of Armenia Karen Andreasyan said during the meeting with Thierry Ribo, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation to Armenia.

The Minister praised the ICRC mission during and after the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan for visiting the Armenian POWs and civilian hostages in Azerbaijan and ensuring their communication with their families.

He shared with Thierry Ribo deep concern over the torture,  inhuman and degrading treatment of Armenian captives and hostages in Azerbaijan.

The head of the ICRC delegation presented the activities carried out by the organization in the post-war period and touched upon other issues of mutual interest.

At the request of the guest, among other issues, Karen Andreasyan referred to the reform agenda of the Ministry of Justice.

The interlocutors stressed their readiness to further deepen the existing cooperation between the two institutions.

Moody’s reaffirms stable outlook of Armenia’s economic growth – Finance Minister

Jhanna Virabian

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 11:58, 2 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government has commented on the report published by Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") which affirmed Armenia’s Ba3 local and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings and foreign currency senior unsecured rating. The outlook remained stable.

During today’s Cabinet meeting, Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan says given that Moody’s last assessment was made in 2019, after which in 2020 Armenia’s economy faced major risks because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Artsakh War, this assessment records increase in the resistance of the country’s economy to such risks.

He says that the economic policy of the Armenian government from this perspective is effective.

“This is a very important signal for international investors because it reaffirms the stable outlook of Armenia’s economic growth and the favorable economic policy of the government for investments”, he said, adding that the report has a special place to matters relating to the management of the state debt.

“Although the government debt-GDP has increased in 2020, comprising 63.5%, Moody’s says that it attaches importance to the Armenian government’s policy to reduce this from 60% in next five years”, the minister stated.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Azeri troops set fire to Armenian farmers’ winter hay

Jhanna Virabian

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 10:34, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani military servicemen are deliberately setting fire to not only the pastures and hayfields of Armenian villagers in the Gegharkunik province, but also the hay reserves which the farmers are keeping for winter season.

[See Video]
Villagers from Kut and Sotk are reporting to the Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan that as soon as the fire is extinguished the Azeri troops are again setting fire. The wildfires which began as a result of the Azeri military’s arson continues to spread. “In many areas you can’t go anywhere near the fire because the area is under Azerbaijani military crosshairs, and whenever anyone approaches they start to shoot. Firefighting is carried out by rescuers, with support of local residents. But equipment cannot be deployed in all affected areas because the fire is spreading in terrain which is difficult to access. The weather conditions make the fire spread more easily. Studies showed that firefighters were able to extinguish only the fire near Sotk in one day,” Tatoyan said in a statement, emphasizing that the Azeri arson is depriving the villagers from their source of income.

Given the fact that the Azeri troops are located inside Armenian sovereign territory, in direct vicinity of villages, the fires pose a real and present danger to the life and property of the civilian population.

The Human Rights Defender said that the facts show that the Azeri troops are acting deliberately, with intent to cause damages to the civilians.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian PM congratulates Uzbekistan on Independence Day

Jhanna Virabian

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 11:11, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the Independence Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The letter reads:

“Your Excellency,

I warmly congratulate you and the good people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the Independence Day.

I am sure that your rich experience as a state figure will serve for the prosperity of Uzbekistan in the future as well.

I am convinced that the mutual relations of Armenia and Uzbekistan will also develop on the path of strengthening the cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral formats.

By using the chance, I wish you good health, happiness, and to the good people of Uzbekistan – peace and welfare”.  

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Azerbaijani troops block key Armenian road

Jhanna Virabian
Aug 26 2021
 26 August 2021

ByAni Avetisyan
Photo: Ombudsman.am

Armenia’s National Security Service reports that Azerbaijan closed a part of the Kapan-Goris road in Armenia’s southern Syunik region. 

Azerbaijani troops reportedly closed the road on August 25, at about 23:00. The troops are reportedly stationed at the Karmrakar-Shurnukh section of the road, near the village of Davit Bek. 

The Goris-Kapan road is one of Armenia’s major roadways, and connects central and southern Armenia. Roughly 20 kilometres of the road, which winds its way near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, ended up under Azerbaijani control after the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. 

The exact borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan have yet to be delimited or demarcated and so remain in dispute. 

At present Russian border guards stationed in Armenia observe the daily operations of the road, with Armenians also stationed on one side of the road and Azerbaijani troops on the other. 

According to Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, Russian border guards helped negotiate the release of around 40 cars that were stuck due to the blockade. Negotiations to reopen the road are planned to continue. 

On the morning of 26 August, Tatotyan stated that another section of the road, this time between the city of Goris and the village of Vorotan, had also been closed by Azerbaijani troops.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Azerbaijani Border Service reported that two Armenian soldiers had attacked and stabbed an Azerbaijani soldier in the area. The Armenian Ministry of Defence has denied the claim.

As of publication, there have been no official statements about the road closures by Azerbaijani or Russian authorities.

Environment ministry seeks to include Mount Karmir Katar of Geghama Ridge in list of natural monuments

Jhanna Virabian

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 10:53, 26 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Environment has introduced a bill seeking to include Mount Karmir Katar of the Geghama Ridge in the list of natural monuments.

Citing its scientific and recreational significance, the ministry said the move will enable authorities to preserve the valuable geological area and its aesthetic and geological look.

The 3530 meter mount has a 300 meter wide crater with a crater lake.

It is a top destination for mountaineers and eco-tourism enthusiasts.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

High-tech minister: Not single centimeter will be handed over from Armenia’s territory

Jhanna Virabian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 27 2021
16:38, 27.08.2021

YEREVAN. – That problem will still be recurrent until there is clarity. The Minister of High Technological Industry, Vahagn Khachatryan, told reporters this after Friday’s government Cabinet meeting, referring to the Azerbaijani military’s closure of some sections of the Goris-Kapan interstate motorway of Armenia.

"The peace agenda does not mean being unprotected and does not mean giving up our territories; this is very clear. It is a state policy [of Armenia]. We will go to border delimitation, and we will not give up our territories. And if there will be other proposals besides the trilateral—for example, within the framework of the OSCE—, we are ready to do it. Nobody talks about giving up our territories (…). Not a single centimeter will be handed over from the territory of the Republic of Armenia," he said.

According to Khachatryan, Armenia has always had alternative roads.

"In general, we need to have all the alternative opportunities. Yes, we sincerely want the road to be [re]opened, and that road will be [re]opened," the minister said.

And reflecting on PM Nikol Pashinyan's statement on the positive signals coming from Turkey and responding to them with reciprocal positive signals, Khachatryan expressed hope that these signals are truly positive.

"I hope they are truly positive and will give an opportunity for future unblocking, peace dialogue in the general regional context," he stressed.

Russian border guards to control Vorotan and Nor Arajadzor road sections – Head of Kapan community

Jhanna Virabian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 28 2021

The head of Kapan community Gevorg Parsyan informs that no changes of traffic flow have been made on Goris-Shurnukh-Kapan section of the M2 interstate highway in southern Syunik province. 

To remind, the interstate road, leading from Goris to Kapan, was unblocked late on Friday after it had been shut down by Azerbaijani servicemen on August 25. 

"Concrete road buffers have been placed on Vorotan and Nor Arajadzor sections to slow down the traffic. The mentioned sections of the road will be controlled by Russian border guards," Parsyan said.