The residents of the border villages of Tavush are concerned about the possible evacuation of four Armenian villages from the territory of Azerbaijan after the recent escalation. The residents are uncertain and do not know what to expect. The residents of the border villages of Baghanis and Voskepar have expressed their concerns to NEWS.am based on their considerations.

The article discusses the section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the Tavush region, including the former Azerbaijani-populated villages of Baghanis Ayrum, Nerkin Voskepar, Heyrimli, and Kozel. These villages are located in certain sections of the Armenia-Georgia interstate transport corridor, which is possible for Azerbaijan to pass through for monitoring purposes.

“They want it, they want it, they give them this, and then we’ll do something else. The road is closed, we have no communication with Ijevan anymore, we are left in isolation. We have a lot of problems, we have a similar situation to Barekamavan. Our people are talking about it, they say they will give it. They say that Azerbaijan wants four villages, they want it, and we also want a lot of things. Look at this mountain, see how far it is, this mountain is about 1200 hectares near Ijevan. If they give it, we also want it, let them give it. If he doesn’t give, what will we give?” said Nork Alaverdyan, a resident of Baghanis.

Hrachik Ghukasyan, another resident, notes that the residents are about 700-800 meters away from the Azerbaijani border and they do not know whether their residence will be allowed or the military forces will occupy the territory.

“The farms, our agricultural activity has always been in this area. They are very close to us, but we can’t live there peacefully. Let them come and attack us, on us or on noncombatants, it is very difficult. The names of the four villages in the Tavush region have been mentioned, so we are waiting to see what will happen, I don’t know,” he says, adding that the community authorities have not provided any clear explanation on this issue.

Sargs Alaverdyan, a resident of Voskepar, also says that if these territories are taken over, numerous military bases will be stationed there, just like it was during the time when the Turks lived there. “There was this war, there was this war, there was destruction, there was cooperation, there was population displacement from one to another, and if they want to take over these territories, we are already living on an island, we are staying in blockade,” he notes.

Source: NEWS.am