Thomas de Waal: Armenia-Azerbaijan crisis closer to violence than to peaceMay 14, 2021 - 18:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan looks worrying, and closer to new violence than to peace agreement, British journalist and writer on the Caucasus Thomas de Waal said in a Twitter thread on Friday, May 14. De Waal's comment came amid renewed tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, after the latter violated the border with Armenia in three areas and is now refusing to withdraw its troops. According to the expert, Armenia is still in turmoil, smarting from the defeat in the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh this past fall, as well as at continued detention of around 200 prisoners of war from the conflict. De Waal said there are worries in Armenia "that Azerbaijan keeps captives as bargaining chips to try and ensure compliance on new transport route to Nakhichevan." "Why is [Azerbaijan] doing this? The short answer is because it can. Who can stop this? Probably only Russia—but if it fits with Russia’s bigger agenda," de Waal said, citing CivilNet's Russian-language interview with analyst Alik Iskandarian, director of the Caucasus Institute, about the matter. On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |