Syunik Governor: Azerbaijani Shots Ongoing, Residents Remain Strong During Uncertainty Over Peace Negotiations

The governor of Armenia’s Syunik Province, Robert Ghukasyan, confirmed on Wednesday that Azerbaijan continues to fire shots at night along the border. Speaking to reporters at Armenia’s National Assembly, Ghukasyan emphasized that despite these provocations, the people of Syunik remain strong and undeterred.

“You cannot scare the residents of Syunik with gunfire,” Ghukasyan said, addressing concerns about the impact of the nightly shootings on the local community. He added that so far, no new damage to homes has been reported.

While the governor found it difficult to explain the exact reason behind Azerbaijan’s ongoing nighttime actions, he stressed that these attempts to intimidate will not succeed. The people of Syunik are resilient and determined to stay in their land.

When asked if the residents still believe in Armenia’s peace efforts with Azerbaijan given the tense conditions, Ghukasyan responded honestly: “One wants to believe in peace more during the shootings.” 

The governor also reassured that the shootings have not stopped farmers and workers in Syunik from continuing their daily agricultural activities. Contrary to some rumors, he dismissed the idea that residents are fleeing the region due to fear or tension.

In response to observations that some former opposition figures are now welcoming government leaders during visits to Syunik, Ghukasyan noted that local leaders have a responsibility to work with the government to address community problems—regardless of past politics.

However, Ghukasyan declined to comment on ongoing military exercises in Azerbaijan’s Nakhijevan region, a sign of rising tensions nearby. He only said that as long as there is no peace agreement, the threat of war remains real.

On the sensitive issue of border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the governor offered no details, pointing instead to a lack of clear information at this time.

The ongoing shootings in Syunik by Azerbaijani soldiers cast doubt on the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. While Armenia continues to pursue peaceful solutions, these attacks raise fears of renewed aggression.

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