Pastinfo: Azerbaijani forces advanced in direction of Armenia’s Ishkhanasar at night, talks underway
The Azerbaijani troops advanced in the direction of Ishkhanasar, a village in Armenia’s Syunik Province, at night, Goris Deputy Mayor Menua Hovsepyan told Pastinfo on Wednesday.
The official denied the reports that fighting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces is taking place in the area.
"It is a fake news. There is no such thing. At this point, everything is peaceful, they have just advanced a long distance. Negotiations are going on, there are no fights. We did not have soldiers deployed there, therefore a fighting could not have taken place,” Hovsepyan said, emphasizing that the enemy even advanced beyond the border drawn using GPS.
The deputy mayor of Goris noted that according to the information provided to him the negotiations are being conducted by the first army corps. "We believe they will move back," added Hovsepyan.
Panorama.am tried to reach the Defense Ministry and the mayor of Sisian for further comments on the matter, however Defense Ministry spokesman Gevorg Altunyan and Sisian Mayor Arthur Sargsyan did not answer the phone calls.
Later, the Defense Ministry released a statement saying early on Wednesday morning the Azerbaijani troops tried to carry out activity in one of the border areas of Syunik under the pretext of “border adjustments”.
The Azerbaijani servicemen ended the activity following measures taken by the Armenian side. At the moment, negotiations are underway to settle the situation, the ministry said.
“The media reports suggesting battles are underway in the direction of Ishkhanasar have nothing to do with the reality. In case of such developments the Defense Ministry would be the first to make a statement. We urge you to refrain from spreading unverified, especially panic-spreading information,” the statement read.
Newsfeed
Videos
Artur Vanetsyan: I think you'll see me more often at various events in future
