Protests in Kirants, Noyemberyan, Voskepar, and Baghanis in Armenia’s Tavush Province Continue Against Land Transfer to Azerbaijan

In Armenia’s northern Tavush province, hundreds of residents from border villages persist in their demonstrations for the third consecutive day, blocking a vital national highway. Their protest stems from the Armenian government's decision to cede four adjacent areas to Azerbaijan.

The Armenian Report’s Ani Khachatryan has been in Tavush for three days documenting the current events. 

WATCH VIDEOS HERE:

These areas, once occupied by small Azerbaijani villages captured by Armenian forces in 1991-1992, have sparked controversy. Azerbaijan seized significant agricultural land from several Tavush villages during the same period, none of which will be returned to Armenia under the terms of the recent preliminary border agreement.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, supported by Western powers, justifies the concession as a measure to prevent further conflict with Azerbaijan. However, local residents express strong opposition. They fear losing access to their agricultural land, facing communication difficulties, and becoming more susceptible to Azerbaijani attacks.

WATCH VIDEOS HERE:

The Armenian opposition also criticizes Pashinyan's concessions, emphasizing the strategic importance of the contested areas. These regions lie along major Armenian highways leading to the Georgian border and the pipeline supplying Russian natural gas to Armenia via Georgia.

Amidst the protests, residents rallied in Kirants, a Tavush village affected by the planned troop withdrawal, joined by Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Galstanyan stresses the need for a comprehensive delimitation process, including clear rules, maps, and international guarantees, in accordance with Armenian laws and through a referendum.

WATCH VIDEOS HERE:

Although protests briefly subsided after government promises, they resumed following reports of impending demining in preparation for the handover to Azerbaijan. Despite police attempts to persuade them, protesters remained steadfast, vowing to continue their vigil.

WATCH VIDEOS HERE:

In Voskepar, tensions escalated as villagers confronted military personnel engaged in demining near a historic Armenian church. Bishop Galstanyan intervened, urging the military to resist withdrawal orders. Riot police intervened to contain the situation, resulting in a tense standoff before protesters were allowed access to the church.