On Thursday, the Armenian defence ministry said that six of its troops were “surrounded and captured” by Azerbaijani armed forces while carrying out “engineering works” in the border area of the Gegharkunik region of Armenia. The incident could further escalate border tensions between both sides.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning Azerbaijan’s “provocative actions” aimed at destabilising the situation at the border. The release also said that Azerbaijan “bears the responsibility” for the actions of Azeri troops that could “seriously undermine regional peace and security.”
Azerbaijan, on the other hand, defended its actions by claiming that the Armenian soldiers attempted to place mines on Azeri troop positions. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that “reconnaissance and sabotage group of the armed forces of Armenia, consisting of two groups, infiltrated into the territory of Azerbaijan” to conduct “terrorist activities” and plant landmines in the area.
The ministry also stated that the group was found by Azeri forces, and was “detained and disarmed,” It also blamed Armenia for “deliberately increasing tensions” in the border areas. However, the ministry added that Azerbaijan supports the de-escalation of tensions with Armenia “through negotiations” and the international community’s calls regarding the “delimitation and demarcation” of borders between the two sides.
Armenian acting Prime Minister (PM) Nikol Pashinyan said that as a result of Azerbaijan’s actions “tensions will most likely continue to grow [and] if the situation is not resolved, this provocation will inevitably turn into a clash.” In this respect, Pashinyan made a proposal to Azerbaijan calling for armed forces of both sides to return to their permanent bases, and instead, “international observers from Russia or the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs be deployed along the purported border.” This, according to Pashinyan, would ensure “that the other side is abiding by the agreement.”
The international community was also quick to react to the escalating situation between the two countries. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday that the US is “concerned” about the situation along the disputed border area and called on both sides “to urgently and peacefully resolve this incident.” Price also asked Azerbaijan to “immediately” release all prisoners of war and other detainees and added that Washington was willing to “assist” efforts to demarcate the border between Baku and Yerevan.
Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson, said that the UN urges all actors to avoid escalatory actions. “All outstanding bilateral issues should be resolved peacefully, through dialogue and diplomatic means,” Dujarric added. It was also reported that Russia was closely following the developing situation along the border and Russian officials had talks with European Union (EU) representatives to assess the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Earlier this month, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of sending troops into its territory of Syunik and Gegharkunik to take up strategic positions in Armenia. Azerbaijan has dismissed Armenia’s claims as baseless and insisted that its troops only took up positions on its side of the border. The latest incident is the largest flare-up between Baku and Yerevan since both sides fought a deadly war last year over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Azerbaijan Captures Six Armenian Soldiers Amid Escalating Border Tensions
Azerbaijan accuses the Armenian soldiers of trying to cross into its territory and plant mines.
May 28, 2021
SOURCE: SERGEI GRITS/ASSOCIATED PRESS