Azerbaijanis Advance from Lake Sevan After Recent Events: Vahe Hakobyan

Azerbaijanis have used the area around Lake Sevan as a "platform" and have advanced from there following recent events. This was stated by Vahe Hakobyan, a member of the "Armenia" faction, in an interview with "Factinfo," after he traveled to Syunik yesterday.

According to Hakobyan, the Azerbaijanis aim to link the occupied Karvachar region with Nakhchivan through Syunik: "If we look at the map, this is the narrowest part of our country that connects the Karvachar, which was captured by Azerbaijan during the war, and Nakhchivan, meaning they want a route leading to Nakhchivan," he said.

The MP reported that following the recent tension in the eastern border areas, the Armenian side has suffered positional losses in Syunik, particularly in those areas that the Azerbaijanis had invaded back in May. Although the Ministry of Defense confirmed the loss of two combat positions in Syunik, the MP stated that the losses at outposts are actually greater.

Hakobyan noted that by occupying positions, the adversary obtains a corridor through Syunik for itself, stating: "Moreover, if this pace continues, that corridor will be established through two routes: one through Sisian region, Angevakot, Shaghati villages to Ishkhanasar, which crosses the Goris-Kapan road, descends to Angevakot and Shaghati, and enters Nakhchivan. The second route is from Zangezan to Ordubad, again through Syunik," Hakobyan said.

Regarding casualties and prisoners on the Armenian side resulting from Azerbaijani aggression, Hakobyan indicated that he does not have precise data, but added that there are no wounded in Goris or Sisian hospitals: "What does this mean? Either they have been captured or killed," he said.

Yesterday, Nikol Pashinyan effectively accused the prisoners of being responsible for their capture from the podium of the National Assembly, stating that all cases of capture must be investigated. Hakobyan remarked that Pashinyan is no longer capable of resolving the issue of prisoners, hence he attempts to shift the blame onto the prisoners themselves: "It is evident where Nikol Pashinyan and his group are trying to push the issue of prisoners. Unable to solve this issue, they are trying to devalue it, wanting to show that the prisoners are to blame for being captured, and now they will label them as traitors, as though they can rid themselves of the prisoners' problem. What else can this man do to make it evident that this is a calamity for our nation?" Hakobyan said, adding: "Yesterday Nikol Pashinyan also announced that there has never been a command to not fire, as that would be considered treachery. Then the question arises: on May 12, Azerbaijani forces entered our sovereign territory unimpeded and consolidated their positions—who was judged for not shooting? Is there at least one criminal case initiated regarding that matter? He has lied so much that he has become entangled in his own lies."

Hakobyan also raised alarms about the risk of depopulation in Syunik, as residents are experiencing anxiety and uncertainty: "There is a state of anxiety in society because people do not know what will happen tomorrow. In Kapan, there are villages that are cut off from the main road. About 600 people inhabit those areas, and they are functioning villages. Over time, the residents will leave their homes, and the villages will become depopulated," Hakobyan warned.