YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS. The provocative operations launched by Azerbaijan on the Armenia border, in fact, are a direct consequence of the developments taking place in that country, political scientist Narek Minasyan told Armenpress.

“The socio-economic problems that started in Azerbaijan months before and continued deepening at this period forced the Azerbaijani authorities to intensify the militaristic rhetoric in order for ensuring a public consolidation and deviating the public attention from the socio-economic issues. And it seems, this is not enough”, he said.

The political scientist said for many years the Azerbaijani authorities have convinced their own people that they can solve the problem through military means at any moment, as a result their people have exaggerated expectations, and this in fact has started working to the detriment of the Azerbaijani authorities.

“And now, with such provocations, the Azerbaijani side is trying to somehow satisfy the expectations of its own people, as well as deviate the public attention from the problems existing inside the country and at the same time ensure a public consolidation around it”, Narek Minasyan said.

Commenting on the operations of the Armenian Armed Forces, he said quite a professional work has been carried out. Citing some sources, Minasyan said the Armenian side has achievements, Azerbaijan suffered many losses both in human and military equipment terms.

As for the work with the international community, the political scientist said actions are surely being taken on this direction both at the foreign ministry’s and the defense ministry’s level.

On July 12, at about 12:30, the armed forces of Azerbaijan attempted to violate the state border of Armenia in an UAZ vehicle in the direction of Tavush province. Following the warning of the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani armed forces left the vehicle and returned to their position. At about 13:45, the Azerbaijani forces made a second attempt to capture the Armenian border post, using artillery fire, but were pushed back, suffering losses.

The Azerbaijani defense ministry reported that four soldiers have died in the incident.

Later that day Armenian defense minister’s spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan announced that the Azerbaijani side restarted shelling the same Armenian position, using 82 mm mortars and a tank.

Today Shushan Stepanyan announced that the Azerbaijani side has again resumed shelling the Armenian positions.

No casualties and injuries were reported from the Armenian side.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan