Armenian opposition demands to arm villagers living near Azerbaijani border

The population of the villages located near deployment of Azerbaijani troops should be armed and trained. For this, legislative amendments are needed to allow villagers to possess weapons for self-defence, the participants of the "National Democratic Pole" action held in Yerevan have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 16, hostilities broke out on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border that were stopped after negotiations of the parties with the Russian Defence Minister. Both parties have reported the suffered losses.

On November 19, the "National Democratic Pole" movement staged a rally near the building of the Armenia Ministry of Defence (MoD), demanding to arm the residents of villages bordering on the contact line. According to organizers, about 200 people took part in it.

The organizers have blamed Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan for the plans to change the border. In their opinion, Armenian authorities help to implement these plans by refusing to arm the residents of the villages located near the contact line.

Armed volunteer detachments will be able to prevent the loss of Armenian territories and the Armenians' genocide, which are inevitable in case of invasion into the country, said Varuzhan Avetisyan, a board member of the "National Democratic Pole".

Azerbaijan is bringing its troops to the border with the Syunik Region, Gagik Egiazaryan, a supporter of the "National Democratic Pole", has stated. In his opinion, political forces should unite to counter threats.