One Azeri border guard is wounded after yesterday a group of Azeri border guards attempted to plant the flag of Azerbaijan inside Armenia’s border. Azeri forces have been videoed carrying their flag pole across the Hakari bridge. The Hakari bridge operates at the Hakari Border Terminal, which is at the entrance to the Lachin corridor (the only road connecting Armenia and Artsakh). Azeri forces crossed the bridge and, only after arriving at the Armenian side and attempting to raise their flag, were fired upon briefly by Armenian border guards. The Azeri plant attempt was done under the watch of Russian peacekeepers, who did not intervene.
This morning Azerbaijani soldiers tried to cross the #Lachin corridor to place a ?? flag on the sovereign territory of #Armenia ??. As they crossed the Hakari bridge they were accompanied by Russian soldiers.
As soon as they were on the other side Armenian soldiers opened fire. pic.twitter.com/w2M7hGFHvr
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) June 15, 2023
Azerbaijan’s border service stated that the injured border guards life is not in danger, claiming that Azerbaijan returned fire and “silenced” the Armenian fire. Their statement faulted Armenia with the incident, stating “All responsibility for this provocation falls on the military and political leadership of Armenia”.
“Information from the Press Center of the State Border Service On June 15, 2023, at 08:45, a soldier of the State Border Service serving at the exit point from the Lachin state border was injured as a result of firing from the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
The firing point of the enemy has been silenced by return fire, and the operational conditions are under the control of our units.
First aid was provided to our injured military serviceman, his life is not in danger.
All responsibility for this provocation falls on the military and political leadership of Armenia.
Press Center of the State Border Service”
The Artsakh government has claimed that, in response to the incident, Azerbaijan has banned all Humanitarian aid as well as any passenger traffic headed through the Lachin corridor. Access through the corridor has already been heavily restricted for about half a year now as Azerbaijan has maintained a blockade of Artsakh in varying forms. In April they installed a checkpoint along the corridor, allowing further control on what may go in or out. They claim that because of the ban, the Red Cross was turned back and forced to return to Stepanakert when trying to transport patients to Armenia from Artsakh. Additionally, Russian peacekeeper cargo trucks, meant to carry humanitarian aid for Artsakh, have had their transport plans suspended. The Artsakh Government Statement may be read below.
