Azerbaijan Issues Ultimatum Demanding Eight Villages from Armenia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan has issued an ultimatum to Armenia, demanding the immediate possession of eight Armenian villages that Azerbaijan claims are "occupied." The demand was presented in a stern statement released by the Azerbaijani MFA, accusing Armenia of hindering peace negotiations and posing a threat to the region's stability.

The statement, released on the occasion of November 9, accuses Armenia of jeopardizing the peace process by continuing military-political provocations and ignoring its obligations. It alleges that Armenia has not withdrawn its armed forces, which Azerbaijan views as a significant threat to peace and security in the region. Furthermore, Armenia is accused of financially supporting these armed forces and illegally transferring weapons, military equipment, and landmines to “Azerbaijani territories”. Additionally, Armenia has refused to hand over “eight Azerbaijani villages” that are allegedly under occupation, according to reports from APA.

These villages, described as "enclaves" by Azerbaijan, are located in the Tavush and Ararat Provinces of Armenia. The territorial dispute traces its roots back to the early 1990s during the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, where the former Soviet borders between independent Armenia and Azerbaijan were redrawn amid hostilities initiated by Azerbaijan. Consequently, both Armenian and Azerbaijani enclaves now exist in the region, but Azerbaijan has consistently pressed its claims over the Armenian territories.

The ultimatum issued by the Azerbaijani MFA marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Azerbaijani aggression. Armenia has yet to respond to this ultimatum.

The demand raises concerns about the possibility of renewed hostilities in the region, prompting calls for diplomacy and peaceful dialogue to resolve the ongoing Azerbaijani aggression and occupation.