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Sweeping political changes are expected in blockade-hit Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in the coming days, political analyst Abraham Gasparyan, founder and CEO of Genesis Armenia, told Panorama.am in an interview on Thursday.

Citing reports that Artsakh is running out of flour reserves due to the months-long blockade by Azerbaijan, he said stronger measures have to be taken to cope with the dire situation.

"Through its policy of starvation or scorched-earth tactics, Azerbaijan is trying to create legitimate grounds for its invasion of Artsakh under a fake pretext of humanitarian aid,” Gasparyan said.

“I believe the Artsakh people have readied themselves for any possible scenario in recent months, realizing perfectly well that they either have to leave their homes or stay and fight,” he stated. “If only men should stay, it will give a legitimate right to Azerbaijan to qualify Artsakh men as armed marginal groups and to conduct an anti-terror operation there.”

The analyst insisted on the ouster of the leaders in Armenia and Artsakh who have “conciliatory policy” on Azerbaijan.

“Diplomacy still has a chance. A change of power in Armenia and Artsakh could mark a breakthrough in this process,” Gasparyan added.

The Artsakh people have been suffering from the Azerbaijani blockade for over eight months now.