500-600 Azeri troops on Armenian soil, Pashinyan says

PanARMENIAN.Net - Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, May 20 that there are 500-600 Azerbaijani troops in the territory of Armenia, and that the situation remains tense.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province).

According to Pashinyan, tactical steps taken by the Armenian army are aimed at limiting the potential of the Azerbaijanis' actions.

"From a political viewpoint, our task is to not let the situation get out of control, to do our best to rule out any scenario of a military conflict, to get the Azeri servicemen to leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia," Pashinyan told a Cabinet meeting.

The acting PM also said "enormous diplomatic work" is being done.