Azerbaijani Gunfire Continues Near Armenian Border Village in Syunik

Gunfire from Azerbaijan has once again been reported near the Armenian border village of Khoznavar, raising concerns about ongoing military pressure from across the border. Despite the repeated sounds of gunfire, local officials say there have been no injuries or damage — but the message sent by the bullets is loud and clear.

Azerbaijan continues to target Armenian territory near the Syunik region with short but deliberate bursts of gunfire. According to Vahan Zakyan, the head of Khoznavar village, Azerbaijani forces fired three times late last night. While the shots were not aimed directly at homes, residents heard the gunfire — just as they have many nights before.

“They shoot at the same times, again and again,” Zakyan said. “Last night, they shot three times. They didn’t aim at the village this time, and we’re thankful that there’s no damage. But we still heard it. The shooting is always there, it hasn’t stopped.”

Zakyan added that villagers have grown used to the unsettling sound of bullets. While it may seem hard to imagine, the people of Khoznavar have learned to live with this constant threat. “We’re not scared,” he said. “This has become normal now.”

Though no physical harm has been reported, the repeated gunfire serves as a form of psychological pressure and low-level military harassment by Azerbaijan. These “warning” shots are part of a broader pattern seen along Armenia’s borders since the 2020 war and the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

This tactic — short bursts of fire, timed repeatedly, without causing physical destruction — is calculated. It’s a signal. It reminds the Armenian border population that their peace is fragile, and that the threat from the other side is never far away.

But Armenian villagers are not backing down.

In Khoznavar, life goes on. Children go to school, farmers tend to their fields, and families gather at night — even as the sounds of gunfire echo in the background. The resilience of these communities, rooted deeply in their land and heritage, is stronger than the intimidation attempts coming from Azerbaijan.

The Armenian government and international observers have repeatedly called on Azerbaijan to stop provocative actions along the border, but such appeals have gone largely ignored. For villagers in Syunik, words from world leaders offer little comfort when bullets ring out at night.

And yet, these villages stand strong.

Armenia’s border communities, often overlooked, are the silent guardians of the nation’s sovereignty. They continue to live, work, and raise families in the face of uncertainty — not because it is easy, but because they love their land.

This story is about strength, identity, and survival in the face of a silent war. While Azerbaijan fires its guns, Armenians keep standing.

They are not afraid. They are home.

—

The Armenian Report delivers trusted, on-the-ground stories from Armenia’s border communities — stories you won’t find anywhere else. Support us here.