Aliyev Is in a Rush, Says Former Deputy Defense Minister

What did yesterday's positional clashes mean? The enemy has no intention of stopping even in newly occupied territories. This was stated by former Deputy Minister of Defense Artak Zakaryan on his Facebook page.

“I believe that he deliberately provoked clashes to assess our armed forces' operational capabilities and weaponry levels, and to plan his further actions. The EU observer mission must pass its first significant test. If within the next two days there are no threats of sanctions from Brussels against Azerbaijan and no clear demand for withdrawal from the occupied territories of Armenia, then the EU observers should be expelled from the border areas due to unclear and dubious activities,” he said.

The clashes and casualties in Tegh village yesterday indicate that the EU mission has not fulfilled its duties, and moreover, has failed. Yesterday's military actions signal the likelihood of a new military escalation in southern Armenia, as well as serving as a test of Iran’s possible operational response.

Once again, we have confirmed that there is strength, spirit, and a sufficient level of preparedness within our armed forces. The political leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the ruling power’s representatives must be expelled for creating such a volatile situation in the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia and failing to manage it adequately.

It is also necessary to understand that all citizens who are fit for military service and have at least combat duty experience must be prepared for mobilization within 24 hours. Any war against us can start and escalate unexpectedly, in mere minutes. God forbid, if a military escalation occurs, the enemy is right at our doorstep, not in Horadiz.

Speed will be necessary in all matters. A grassroots mobilization will be needed in everything – from regular defense to self-defense militia, from information warfare to logistical support. We disregard the traitors in the ruling party.

It is a matter of the homeland's existence, and with traitors, we must follow the rules of war.

The events in Tegh village yesterday and their swift conclusion gave a small hope that the factors of Russia and Iran still restrain Azerbaijan and Turkey, preventing the region from becoming a new, more intense Syria.

Yesterday’s Azerbaijani provocation showed that Aliyev is in a rush; he too is running out of time. Nikol’s position within the country has weakened. The power is maintained at the expense of abuses by the law enforcement system. The Turks aim to fully utilize Nikol’s 'authority.' We must resist yet another difficult phase in our pursuit of regime change, after which it is likely that hard and destructive times might begin for Azerbaijan.

Our life is a struggle, both internally and externally. No one knows what will happen in the country tomorrow and what awaits us in the meantime. May God keep the souls of our fallen young men in light. Eternal memory and homage. They fell for the sake of the homeland. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded soldiers. And may God grant us all wisdom and insight at last. It is shameful that our people still tolerate such a power in Armenia while simultaneously wanting to defeat the Turk.