Armenian border villagers complain about problems with access to pastures and water

Under threat with weapons, militaries prohibit grazing livestock on border pastures and approaching the water reservoir, residents of the Syunik and Gegarkunik Regions of Armenia have stated. The authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan have resumed negotiations on the settlement of the conflict on the border.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 12, Armenia reported that Azerbaijani militaries had advanced deep into the Syunik Region and tried to gain a foothold in the Black Lake region. Baku claims that border guards only changed their deployment in the Lachin and Kelbadjar Districts.

The unleashing of a conflict in the Syunik Region is unlikely, since Yerevan is trying to resolve the incident through diplomatic means, Armenian military experts believe; while political analysts hope that Russia will convince Baku to push the troops back.

The Armenian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated that the situation in the Syunik and Gegarkunik Regions is stable, despite the fact that Azerbaijani militaries remains in the country.

Azerbaijanis have threatened local residents with submachine guns ordering them to leave the reservoir, a resident of Vardenis has complained. According to his story, the pastures are now at gunpoint of Azerbaijani militaries; and no one can bring the cattle there now.

"The village of Kut has been targeted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces; and community's life and safety is under threat," Arman Tatoyan, the Armenian Ombudsperson, has stated on his Facebook.