SSS Cannot Organize Defense at Armenian Borders with Its Border Guard Capabilities, Says Seyran Ohanyan

Armenia is essentially in a state of war with Azerbaijan. Following the 44-day war, we have witnessed Azerbaijan's provocations on a regular basis. Azerbaijan is systematically tightening its grip around the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh. This was stated by Seyran Ohanyan, the leader of the 'Armenia' faction, during a conversation with reporters in the National Assembly.

“Azerbaijan has two objectives: the first is to connect Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan through the Syunik region by obtaining the ‘corridor’ they plan and strive for; the second is to ethnically cleanse Artsakh. If we are in a state of war with Azerbaijan, it means that we must study and defend every centimeter of our borders. This defense issue is primarily the responsibility of the army. Today, Armenian authorities say that army units should be replaced by NSS units, but this can only happen when two enemy states have become neighboring states and want to live peacefully alongside each other and when, in essence, there is peace between the parties. However, we see Azerbaijan's behavior, rhetoric, provocations, and psychological pressures. All of this indicates that we are in a state of war. The NSS cannot organize defense at the borders of Armenia with its border guard capabilities. This again confirms that today’s authorities live in a way that seems as if nothing has happened to Armenia and Artsakh,” emphasized Ohanyan.

It is worth noting that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during yesterday's government meeting: “The day before yesterday, we informed the Azerbaijani side that in accordance with the agreement, the Armenian border troops will assume the responsibility of protecting that section of the state border after the Kornidzor bridge.”