Analysts rule out any transfer of Armenian militaries to Nagorno-Karabakh

A transfer of troops from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh is prohibited by the ban on entry of Armenian military columns into the unrecognized republic, but at the same time, the armistice agreement does not ban the Nagorno-Karabakh's right to ensure the safety of its local residents, Armenian analysts have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 11, Azerbaijan announced a violation of the agreements of November 10, 2020, on the end of hostilities in Karabakh. Armenian militaries are transferred to the territory where the Russian peacemakers are located, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated.

The ceasefire agreement contains no clear provision on the Karabakh's right to have its armed forces, Mger Akopyan, an analyst, believes. This does not mean that Karabakh should not have any Armenian forces; and now there are Armenians serving there who are Karabakh residents. Anyone can volunteer to serve in the Karabakh Army, he has added.

Mr Akopyan believes that Azerbaijan "is nervous about the peacemakers' presence in Karabakh," in this regard, it is trying to put pressure on Russia. Azerbaijan was especially sensitive about the peacemakers' exercises in Karabakh.

Mger Akopyan believes that Azerbaijan's accusations against peacemakers are for Turkey's benefits, for which the presence of Russia in Karabakh is unfavourable.

Karen Ovannisyan, an analyst, believes that Azerbaijan seeks to involve Turkish militaries in the peacemaking mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, he notes that Azerbaijan has no tools for achieving Russian troops' withdrawal from the region.

Mr Ovannisyan has added that none of the agreements signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia is stating that the Armenian party has no right to ensure the safety of the local population.