YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Increasing tension in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, as well as in the border with Armenia, Azerbaijan aims to draw the international community’s attention on the Karabakh conflict, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told a press conference in “Armenpress”, commenting on the recent Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt at the Armenian border.

“In recent years Azerbaijan more and more intensifies the military operations in the border. For instance, nearly 6 or 7 years ago, there was a talk only about sniper war. Thereafter, sabotage attempts in the territory of Armenia, then the April war occurred and etc. All this is a tactic not a coincidence. All this is being calculated”, he said.

The political scientist said Azerbaijan, in fact, has no other tool to impact the situation created over the Karabakh issue. Azerbaijan works on the propaganda field which gives no result, thus, it fires at the border, creates tension in order to draw attention on the conflict.

“Moreover, by such actions the Azerbaijani leadership tries to draw the attention of the international community, Armenia and the Azerbaijani public”, Iskandaryan said, stating that it is difficult to imagine that the situation in the border will sharply change in near future.

In response to the question what is the probability of the repetition of April events, Iskandaryan said it is related with the oil prices. In reality, Azerbaijan spent huge resources and money for the April attack, but, in fact, it received nothing.

Commenting on the CSTO Secretary General’s statement over the recent Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt on Armenia’s border, the political scientist said first of all it aimed to restrain Azerbaijan. As for the view that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic word was mentioned in the statement, Iskandaryan said this must also be viewed in the context of restraint. “It is not serious to think about the recognition of Karabakh by the CSTO. CSTO is a structure where all countries involved have their own interests”, Iskandaryan stated.

Azerbaijani forces attempted a sabotage infiltration in the Armenian state border, south-east from Chinari village of Tavush province in the early morning of December 29. The Armenian Armed Forces have neutralized the Azerbaijan attacks. Azerbaijani forces were pushed back, suffering losses and WIAs, including in the military positions. Three Armenian servicemen were killed.

12 days after the failed sabotage infiltration attempt, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement stating that Baku and Yerevan continue to accuse each other of a December 29, 2016 attempted incursion on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resulting in casualties.