Karabakh politician Hayk Khanumyan, responding to a controversial comment made by ruling Civil Contract party’s mayoral candidate for Gyumri, Sarik Minasyan, stated that the remark does not reflect an isolated opinion but rather a prevailing sentiment within the ruling bloc.

Minasyan had said: “Artsakh was such a bad place that people in Gyumri scraped money together to keep their kids from serving there.”

Khanumyan countered that by the same logic, places like Jermuk, Ishkhanasar, Kapan, and Sotk are now also considered “bad.”

“In the winter of 2022, during the blockade, when many displaced people from Artsakh were in Armenia, the conscription rate in Artsakh was 63 percent. In Armenia, it was below 50 percent. Even the prime minister has acknowledged this in cabinet meetings. Despite being weakened and defeated, the Defense Army remained a trusted, relatively disciplined and combat-capable structure for Artsakh residents.

Military service in Armenia has become a major societal stressor, contributing heavily to emigration. The Armenian government is unable to propose a defense system that does not burden society and weaken the country.

If, as the ruling party candidate says, ‘Karabakh was so bad that people paid to avoid service there,’ then using the same logic, Jermuk, Ishkhanasar, Kapan, and Sotk are also bad places.

Unfortunately, this is not just the opinion of one foolish candidate but a dominant view in government circles.

The authorities lack the political will and capacity to build a proper army. The foundation of the Armenian army must be well-trained, well-paid contract soldiers. Eighteen-year-olds should serve only one year in training units, without combat duty or deployment. The current government has neither the vision, ability, nor will to build such a force. But we have no other choice. Without serious army reform, the list of ‘bad’ locations will only grow,” his statement reads.