Armenian Police Reopen Road to Kirants Village After 48-Hour Blockade
After 48 hours of a tense blockade, Armenian authorities have reopened the road leading to Kirants village in the Tavush province of Armenia.
The Armenian Report's correspondent, Ani Khachatryan, had been stranded in Tavush since May 1, unable to gain access to Kirants, where she had been reporting from since April 20. Our other correspondent, Ani Gevorgyan was inside the village of Kirants.
At approximately 7 PM local time on May 3, the road to Kirants village was finally opened, allowing access from all sides without hindrance. A significant number of vehicles, including those belonging to the police and the Ministry of Defense, were observed leaving the village.
Authorities cited demining operations as the reason for the initial blockade, explaining that it was necessary for public safety.
On May 1, a large contingent of police reportedly entered the village and proceeded to arrest all men, including underage boys. Following the arrests, the road into Kirants was sealed off, effectively preventing anyone from entering the village.
Local residents say that it was part of the border delimitation process negotiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Azerbaijan. Under this agreement, Armenia is set to concede certain territories to Azerbaijan in exchange for security.
Kirants is among the villages designated for demining as part of this agreement. The completion of demining works in Kirants, along with Vokspebar and Berkaber, signals the next phase of the process, which could see Azerbaijani military forces entering what were previously sovereign Armenian territories.
As tensions persist and questions linger over the fate of Kirants and other villages, residents and observers remain on edge, awaiting further developments in this ongoing terror.After 48 hours of a tense blockade, Armenian authorities have reopened the road leading to Kirants village in the Tavush province of Armenia.
The Armenian Report's correspondent, Ani Khachatryan, had been stranded in Tavush since May 1, unable to gain access to Kirants, where she had been reporting from since April 20. Our other correspondent, Ani Gevorgyan was inside the village of Kirants.
At approximately 7 PM local time on May 3, the road to Kirants village was finally opened, allowing access from all sides without hindrance. A significant number of vehicles, including those belonging to the police and the Ministry of Defense, were observed leaving the village.
Authorities cited demining operations as the reason for the initial blockade, explaining that it was necessary for public safety.
On May 1, a large contingent of police reportedly entered the village and proceeded to arrest all men, including underage boys. Following the arrests, the road into Kirants was sealed off, effectively preventing anyone from entering the village.
Local residents say that it was part of the border delimitation process negotiated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Azerbaijan. Under this agreement, Armenia is set to concede certain territories to Azerbaijan in exchange for security.
Kirants is among the villages designated for demining as part of this agreement. The completion of demining works in Kirants, along with Vokspebar and Berkaber, signals the next phase of the process, which could see Azerbaijani military forces entering what were previously sovereign Armenian territories.
As tensions persist and questions linger over the fate of Kirants and other villages, residents and observers remain on edge, awaiting further developments in this ongoing terror.
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