Armenia escalating border tensions to divert public attention from internal problems
By Sara Rajabova
The recent escalation of tensions on the contact line of troops between Armenia and Azerbaijan has sparked deep concerns among Azerbaijani officials.
The government officials and members of parliament have slammed Armenian government for intensifying the ceasefire breaches on the frontline.
Azerbaijani Parliament's Deputy Speaker Bahar Muradova said the Armenian government, supported by foreign elements, is seeking to strengthen its position in the occupied territories on one hand and to gain international recognition for its illegal separatist regime in Azerbaijan's occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region on the other hand.
Referring to the recent escalation of tensions along two sides' borders, she told Trend news agency that by violating the ceasefire, Armenia is trying to divert public attention from its internal problems.
The Armenian armed forces have intensified the ceasefire breaches on frontline in recent days. Meanwhile, the Armenian reconnaissance and sabotage groups have attempted to cross the position of Azerbaijani army. As a result of ceasefire violations on July 31-August 1, eight servicemen of Azerbaijani forces were killed by Armenians.
Muradova noted that Armenia is trying to put the blame on Azerbaijan for the recent provocations.
She added that Armenia's actions are illegal, as occupation of neighboring state's lands is against international laws. She said Armenia's attempts to find a legal justification for the occupation of Azerbaijan's lands have no basis in international laws.
Muradova said the recent global developments have let off the leash of Armenia even further.
"When Armenia sees that similar moves are going unpunished in other parts of the world, it becomes more determined to go further and find a legal justification for its occupation. However, Azerbaijan will continue to expose Armenia's moves which are explicitly against international laws," Muradova said.
MP Bakhtiyar Sadikhov also voiced concern over the recent ceasefire violations on the contact line of troops.
He said Armenia is trying to divert public attention from its internal problems by escalating tensions along the border, adding that Armenia's economy is in such a desperate situation that Armenian people are seeking a way to leave the country.
"If Russia comes under further economic sanctions over Ukraine crisis, it won't be able to supply Armenia during winter with gas. The Armenians remember well the difficult days of last year's winter," Sadikhov said.
He went on to note that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has lost its moral support.
Sadikhov stressed that those in power, who are using the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a trump card, are ready to destroy the whole nation but not to resolve the conflict because the solution of the conflict means their end.
He said Sargsyan have lost his political credit among the nation and a coup is a possible option in the country.
"Therefore, the current Armenian leadership forced frequently to break the ceasefire," Sadikhov said. "All these games are made to keep the ruling party in power. Regardless of these efforts, time is against Armenia."