Imminent threat to Armenia’s Syunik province amid regional escalation
The Armenian National Committee-International expresses grave concern over the escalating threats posed by Azerbaijan toward the Syunik province of Armenia. In the wake of the Israel-Iran conflict, geopolitical instability has heightened, creating an additional threat of Azerbaijani aggressive actions that endanger the sovereignty of Armenia. We urge the international community to take decisive measures to prevent another act of aggression against Armenia.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has repeatedly emphasized that the “Zangezur Corridor” will be established “whether Armenia wants it or not.” Time and again, Aliyev has threatened to use force towards that end, and Azerbaijan has occupied over 200 square kilometers of the Republic of Armenia’s territory since September 2022. Such rhetoric, coupled with increased military exercises near Armenia’s borders and the diversion caused by the recent developments in the Middle East, signals a clear threat to the territorial integrity of Armenia.
- Azerbaijan’s increasing hostility: Armenia faces an imminent threat as Azerbaijan continues its expansionist policies, seeking control over strategic territories under the guise of regional connectivity. Any attempt to seize any territory of Armenia under fabricated pretexts of “Zangezur Corridor” would constitute a serious violation of international law.
- The risk of regional escalation: The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran add further complexity to the South Caucasus’ security landscape. Azerbaijan’s aggressive posture, backed by external allies, raises concerns that Armenia could be targeted under the pretense of regional realignments. The international community must act now to deter any such military provocations.
- Call for immediate international action: We call upon the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, especially its Minsk Group co-chair countries, the United Nations Security Council and especially its five permanent members and the European Union, as well as Armenia’s allied and partner nations, to prevent Azerbaijan from exploiting global conflicts to pursue its territorial ambitions against Armenia. Diplomatic pressure and concrete actions must be taken to safeguard Armenia’s territorial integrity. We also call on the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to make similar appeals and to ensure diplomatic and military-political deterrence mechanisms.
- Urgent need for military and diplomatic support: Armenia requires strengthened support from its allies and partners to deter any potential threat. We call on friendly states to reaffirm their commitment to Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by providing security measures, diplomatic solutions and strategic partnership.
The Armenian National Committee-International stands firm in its commitment to protecting Armenia’s sovereignty. We urge international organizations and global leaders to recognize the severity of the situation and take immediate steps to uphold peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
Armenian National Committee-International
Yerevan, June 16, 2025
When Russia was (and still is) preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and its relations with Armenia under Pashinyan strained, Azerbaijan sensed its opportunity to blockade and finally conquer Artsakh. If Iran does get weakened with the Israeli attacks and descends into chaos, Azerbaijan could again sense an opportunity and grab southern Syunik or all of Syunik amidst the turmoil. What is shameful and appalling, is that Pashinyan downplays the danger, and what is embarrassing, is that Iran has declared its opposition to the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” as its red line, which the Armenian (Pashinyan) government should have done in the first place!
This is possible just like the attack on Assad which started immediately after the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the departure of Iranian military. Although this was partly due to betrayal by Assad delusional belief that he could save himself by breaking from allies to assauge and appease enemies.
Iran unlike Armenia won’t be expecting salvation from Russia thus won’t be disappointed in that regard either way an end of an era. Although longer term it might lead to Israel having less support for Azerbaijan if it’s no longer needed vis a vis Iran.
“Although longer term it might lead to Israel having less support for Azerbaijan if it’s no longer needed vis a vis Iran.”
Disagree – Israel will always support Azerbaijan who is their major supplier of oil. In exchange Israel supplies Azerbaijan with advanced military weaponry used against Armenia. Lovely to see two apartheid counties support each other against the oldest Christian nation in the world.
@Martin Zartarian, friendships are conditional and circumstantial. Obviously time will tell, remember during the era of Soviet authority Israel didn’t have much interest in the south Caucasus and Armenian SSR was often popular with Jews from elsewhere in the Soviet Union. Also when Armenia and Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union the relationship between Israel and Iran had gone very sour after the revolution in Iran in 1979 and Azerbaijan with its distrust of Iran and Armenia with its amicablity with Iran along with the sinister and controversial Kazar links and the Jewish hatred of Christianity especially as Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as the national creed gives many Jews a special hatred for Armenia, so much for the post WW2 notion Judeo Christian civilization enthusiastically professed by evangelical Christianity… Remember the honeymoon between Kuwait and the USA began to sour post overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein indeed so much nowadays that China had replaced the USA as the main customer of Kuwaiti oil and the US ambassador was summoned for the display of the woke progress LGBTQ flag at the US embassy in previous years it would have been a more discreet note of progress and no international statement which has to be made with a summons. Post Soviet Armenia has only known Islamic Republic of Iran with the clerical regime as it’s leadership, just like Armenia was part of the USSR when the Islamic Republic was formed in 1979 . Thus established certainties are collapsing, like the previous status quo in 2020 regarding Artaskh which revealed a collapse of the 1994 hegemony and clear doubts emerge about Russia as an ally and guarantor and subsequent events locally and beyond have furthered this trend. For the time being Israel and Azerbaijan will be in cahoots but only 50 years ago Israel was in cahoots with Iran and Armenia and Azerbaijan were part of a socialist multistate the USSR. I’m not claiming Israel will switch to Armenia instead at all I’m stating that Azerbaijan may well lose some of its value to Israel if the islamic republic of Iran fails . After all the relationship between Israel and Turkey which was very strong when Armenia became independent has definitely cooled. Armenia under Pashinyan has condemned Israel attack on Iran, which is bravely taking a stance in sympathy with its friendly neighbour and putting it at odds with the USA and much of the west and given refuge to Iranians a reflection on how they gave refuge to Armenians from the ottoman genocide.
Unfortunately, in such a moment Azerbaijan should be watched very carefully, as it will not miss an opportunity to hurt Armenia once again, just like in 2020 and 2023. As of immediate effect Armenia has to prepare itself for the strong possibility of a full scale Azeri aggression. It has to have within its targets all of Azeri essential and vital infrastructure in order to enhance its chances of survival as a nation. It has to have urgent talks with UN and particularly its allies, France, Greece, India, as well as the US, asking for necessary material and diplomatic support in the event of war.
Diasporan organisations should call for volunteers to be listed and be prepared to travel to Armenia should the need arise. We have to realise that this time we have to win as losing could be fatal.