Armenian armed forces control situation in Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces

YEREVAN, May 18. /ARKA/. The Armenian Defense Ministry said it fully controls the situation in Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces.

According to official Armenian reports, Azerbaijani troops advanced several kilometers into the Armenian province of Syunik province early on May 12 and attempted to breach the border on two other sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Sisian and Vardenis the following day, but were stopped by Armenian military units.

"As of today morning, no changes were recorded in the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The situation is relatively calm, the Armenian army units are preventing attempts of Azerbaijani servicemen to enter the territory of the Republic of Armenia," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the press release, negotiations on a full resolution of the current standoff will resume on May 19.

"The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, stressing the need for a peaceful settlement of the problem, at the same time are ready for any development of events, emphasize that encroachments on the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia are absolutely unacceptable. The Azerbaijani military must leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia without preconditions and from now on refrain from such provocations, " the ministry said.

In an interview with Armenian Public Television late on May 17, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan said Armenian armed forces kept under control the supply routes of the Azerbaijani soldiers who were still in the Armenian territory.

Earlier, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that a group of Azerbaijanis was completely surrounded.

"Yes, they are surrounded, which means that their supply channels are under our control and this will not allow them to stay on that territory for a long time,' he said. -0-