YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces are amassing in large number of groups directly along the length of the Artsakh-Iranian border from the Artsakhi side (along the Araks (Araxes) River) and are factually taking shelter with the border in an attempt to advance, Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan said.

“The Azerbaijani armed forces units – not having sufficient capabilities of engaging in effective offensive operations, are resorting to obvious provocations for already the second day. Namely, in the southern direction of the Artsakh-Azerbaijan military operations, the Azerbaijani units are amassing in large groups directly at the length of the Artsakh-Iranian border (along the Araks River) and are trying to advance by factually taking cover with the border,” he said.

He said this is a clear provocation by the Azeris trying to incite the Artsakhi forces to open fire or deliver strikes along the border, factually in the direction of Iran. Hovhannisyan didn’t rule out the possibility of these Azeri fighters retreating or fleeing into Iranian territory.

“In order to avoid this all, we believe the Iranian side – which certainly is seeing this, must prevent or force the Azeris to refrain from such amassing,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan