Operative situation tense, Azeri forces try to take provocative actions in few directions: Armenia military official

The operative tactical situation is relatively tense, head of the chief operative department of the Armenian Armed Forces, deputy chief of General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Mayor-General Edward Asryan told the reporters today.

“The sub-divisions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are trying to take their provocative compulsory actions in several directions and the sub-divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces take counteractions, trying to remove the forces of the enemy that infiltrated Armenia’s territory,” Asryan said.

He said first the situation was tense in the direction of Lake Sev Verishen  – in Sisian-Goris region and during the night it has become tense in Kut-Norabak direction. He said the tension reached its peak at approximately 5 a.m.

Asryan said seeing that the enemy was trying to united its forces that are already 1,5-2,5 km in our territory in two directions to create a more favorable situation for them a decision was made to install a combat position to stop the actions of the adversary.

“During the mentioned action the enemy’s air intelligence revealed our actions and the sub-divisions blockaded our group,” the military official said.

Asked why the Armenian side did not use weapon, Asryan said the military-political leadership is trying to settle the situation without weapon and use of force.

Asryan also said that they are in touch with the headquarters of the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh and the negotiations are ongoing.

“The adversary put its conditions for withdrawing forces, we put ours – we will pull back from advanced positions after they return our captured servicemen,” Asryan said, adding that no other condition is acceptable for the Armenian side.