Azerbaijan eyes southern Armenian border province of Syunik • FRANCE 24 English

After taking full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in September, will Azerbaijan go further? In the southern Armenian province of Syunik, residents are increasingly worried about the threat from Baku. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev claims Syunik and much of Armenian territory is historically Azerbaijani, referring to it as "Western Azerbaijan". Since 2020, Azerbaijan has also taken 150 square kilometres of Armenian land near the border, according to Armenian officials. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent, Julie Dungelhoeff and Mohammed Farhat report.
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[@QWANT18]

"A drop of oil is more valuable than a drop of blood." I wish everyone boundless love and the sensation of true freedom.

[@portugal11479]

...Israel helped Ajerbaijan to defeat Armenia thus EU should not support Israel in any of its conflicts...Armenians are in that area for thousands of years while Ajabaijanis are from central Asia

[@uchihahan5284]

Tarih geçmişte kaldı Azerbaycan o topraklar da 1000 yıldan fazla var günümüz İsrail ve Filistin örnek olsun sana

[@uchihahan5284]

Sen gelir o topraklar Ermenistan dersen ve o bölgeyi resmi olarak Azerbaycan ait olarak tanınmasına rağmen işgal edip sivilleri öldürür katliam yaparsan gün gelir seni bulur karma dostum bu

[@musicbox99]

You are totally correct. The maps at the museums in Yerevan prove these facts.

[@dred-wg8tl]

​@@musicbox99😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@user-er7fp7so6q]

very true words ...

[@cavid.3255]

Peace and Love #NoWar from Azerbaijan 💕🇦🇲🤝🇦🇿💕 🤍🌹

[@edomin1148]

As an Armenian, I'm sorry you didn't get the likes and support you deserve. It's rare, but that where hero's live. 🙏

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

These are sovereign, internationally recognized Armenian territories. Azerbaijan is crossing the line at this point

[@muslimresponse103]

what goes around, comes around! armenia shouldn’t have invaded Azerbaijan in the 1990s and committed massacres and ethnic cleansing. the Azeris have shown them mercy in return only taking land and defeating the armenian army, sparing civilians unlike what the armenians did!

[@JJ-bv4uz]

@@muslimresponse103 you've been misinformed by your propaganda.

[@jayahen5719]

They become greedy…as they have the might to defeat their enemy…the same thing will come back to them soon if they are so arrogant..

[@kmuchorowski]

@@muslimresponse103 history of ethnic cleansing did not begin in 1990s, and massacres have been committed by both parties on many occasions. The Armenians should have swapped land for peace, but did not want to. But Azerbaijan also does not want peace - want to win militarily. The old men will be happy 'for the glory of our great nation', 'God/Allah is on our side', while young men will be killed or wounded, women will be raped, old women will cry tears on their wrinkled cheeks, and children will die or live without their killed parents. Is this what you want?

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

@@muslimresponse103 Armenia can't invade a place where 94% of the population has been ethnically Armenian for thousands of years. The place IS Armenia. You're "refugee" numbers are heavily inflated.

[@_AbrahamL]

Armenia voting for France in and Russia out.

[@Simitenbiri]

This report os an excellent example of one sided report!

[@artinterhakopian9684]

Bless these teachers. Bless the Armenians. They are my heroes.

[@tfhmobil]

Good journalism 👍

[@arfatbhat7783]

Moral....In this world don't be a weak

[@edomin1148]

Strenght comes from support. Azerbaijan has unconditional support from Turkey and Pakistan. It's Muslim and turkic bond. Also all turkic countries do the same. Armenians haven't had the fraction of support from Christians. Rather, they went for geopolitics of gas and bowed down to Turkey which is in NATO. Even Greece has been silent lately, because they buy gas from them.

[@GregorSamsa000]

There we go! The war will not stop...

[@alamaisonbakery7703]

can you tell me where is the Sevres Treaty which was signed by American President an by Wilson Churchill which recognize west Armenia and now days Armenia???? and there wasn’t Azerbaijan as country

[@edomin1148]

They don't care. They just want it like a narcicistic psychopath wants to get what he wants. It's a challenge for all countries that deal with this turkic beast.

[@agaliismayilzade7710]

see you in yerevan)

[@manotenkerian]

😂keep dreaming . If you want to expand Azerbaijan, then head south into iran or better yet; go fight the kurds in Eastern 🇹🇷

[@abdullahmahmud9403]

France supports Israeli occupation now crying about Azerbaijan 😂😂what hypocrisy

[@lucius1976]

No. Armenia showed no aggressive behaviour. Azerbaijan should not threaten the recognizes borders or Armenia. That would be a huge mistake

[@irvin099]

France slaughtered half of africa )))

[@Neutral_Zone187]

@@lucius1976 What about 30years of occupation of nagorno karabagh

[@linkme2dnet]

@@Neutral_Zone187 occupation by whom ? the ethnic people of Nagorno Karabakh has lived on in that land for thousands of years....azeri turks are the non-native invaders in that land.

[@lucius1976]

@@Neutral_Zone187 Does not give you the right to invade Armenia proper

[@Maharaaja.]

India stay with Armenia.

[@user-ho1ln5ny1r]

Within few months this area's conflict possible

[@zat0076]

the armenians need to get their acts together and get a powerful backing to build a powerful army that can deter azerbaijan

[@somerandomduud4086]

Unfortunately we are too poor to do that cuz we don't have fancy gas and are in a constant state of war, when all ur GDP goes to the defense budget it becomes hard to economically prosper.

[@MyGuaguanco]

Nobody cares about Armenians and what they are constantly facing from their brutal neighbours

[@jayahen5719]

Wow…they become greedy once they won a war with weaker country…armenia should take note on this and become stronger in the future.

[@zarlev9083]

One more mistake and armenia either these years or in future definitly will suffer more. doesnt matter how strong armenia becomes, Turks and Azerbaijan will become even more so considuring turkish military industry has a ridicilously fast growth, so if you think an outside power can help them today, there is no hope, if armenia tries "ANYTHING" which is what azerbaijan wants, they need to either lie a reason or make armenia give them one, its not as simple as saying armenia to "get gud" not easy, and maybe imposible considuring the enemy.

[@MrDante1047]

​@@zarlev9083just because someone is sotronger doesnt meab they can di everything they want. There is untetnational law. Armenia should flex its diplomacy and cooperation with power balances in international relatiins. Now Iran states clearly they wont allow borders with Armenia changed . US warmed aliev not to ever do anuthing against armenian terrutory. Finally azerbaijan is put on their place

[@orkhangarajayev8026]

Karabakh is Azerbaijan

[@manotenkerian]

What about northern cyprus 🇨🇾?

[@abdulmohamed2577]

Why should anyone care people don’t care about Gaza we see the double standards

[@dutchskyrimgamer.youtube2748]

If Azerbaijan attacks Armenia proper I want my government to support Armenia and recognize Artsakh.

[@somerandomduud4086]

If Geert Wilders becomes pm then it most likely will happen since he recognizes the Armenian genocides and also thinks badly about erdogan

[@Just4Kixs]

Artsakh is internationally recognised as Azerbaijan's territory just how Syunik is internationally recognised as Armenia's territory. Azerbaijan is completely at fault for this now by crossing the line. Amenia had already recognised Karabakh as Azerbaijan's territory.

[@AI_Comic_Book_Creator_GPT]

Turkey also has to give back Armenian lands. they get them from Russians in 1922

[@OTTOMAN-kp2er]

😏

[@Resmioglu]

Question: they were Azerbaijanis in Armenia. - 200k people were expelled in 1988 and before that in 1948. It is mutual -expulsions - just FYI

[@BobHooker]

Yes true, but that still does not make it right.

[@jj-gz9xd]

@@BobHooker why not ? Define 'right'. Or actually don't. Armenian occupation and aggression has caused tens of billions in economic damage to Azerbaijan. Only fair if they are made to pay back in some way. Theyhad Azerbaijan's territory for 30 years, time to swap.

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

And vice versa. Armenians were expelled from Baku. Azerbaijan needs to be less resentful and let things go.

[@MrTanajian]

there was 400,000 Armenians expelled from the rest of Azerberjan first and then Azeris surrounded Karabakh and tried to ethnically cleanse the rest during the first war. You started the ethnically expulsions and ethnic cleansing. What hypocracy.

[@Resmioglu]

why. Our mutual reason d'etre is to fight each other. Its a part of national identities goes back hundreds of years. Same for Armenians. Maybe some bleeding heart liberals think differently but generally might is right. They'd do same

[@amya4212]

War is inevitable

[@edomin1148]

The words coming out of the invader's mouth whobrukes a 105 years old country. Undermining the 4000 years of history amd 1st chrostian nation befor Azerbaijan was even an idea. After forcing Armenians out of what was left from their eastern lands, he claims Armenia to be Western Azerbaiajan.

[@sanario7302]

Armenian provocatives speeks😅

[@lebonericardoramakgala8160]

Armenians are not serious they should fight if they still want a country Turks have always been expansionists

[@jeffreybeck1928]

The direct corridor was agreed upon by Armenian leadership after the peace treaty was signed, unfortunately there is no one in charge in Armenia. After signing peace documents, the population states the people who signed it are not their leaders. How do you deal with this kind of mindset?

[@TvGunslingeRvT]

President Aliyev today said that Azerbaijani people will be back to Zangezur (syunik) by peaceful means not by force.

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

This means never

[@TvGunslingeRvT]

@@user-tj8kr7ux1g well actually nobody cares. 😄

[@USofA2023]

Before that, Armenians need to return to Karabagh, Baku, Sumgait.

[@vasiframazanli4416]

​@@USofA2023and all azeris, who have been deported out of Armenia in 1987-1988... They are more than 500000 :))) They also want to come back 😂

[@user-vr6io5xb9e]

@@USofA2023 go ahead nobody stops you

[@comacuma2869]

Azerbaijan vision is shetty

[@may_laytrucker3127]

Azerbaijan taking their territory back , simple as it...!

[@manotenkerian]

In that respect. Iran should take back Azerbaijan

[@MrDante1047]

You didnt have any territory in Armenia. We are far more ancient than you are . Youre just 11th century ak koyunlu turks. Occupation doesnt mean its yours. Go back to Iran maybe

[@user-dn9bk4pj1e]

I would sympathise with Armenia, but they're doomed. Best to pack and leave Syunik before Azeris take it. Armenia's population is dwindling, they're the poorest in the region, surrounded by hostile countries and abandoned by their only ally, Russia, who is busy frying bigger fish in Ukraine. I wouldn't be surprised if Azerbaijan goes all the way and invades the whole of Armenia - according to their narrative, it's "Western Azerbaijan".

[@manotenkerian]

How can that happen legally if syunik is internationally recognized as armenia? Also, who says armenia is the poorest in the region

[@MrDante1047]

Azeris have been warmed by USA not to move an inch into armenian territory ir else sanctions. Iran warned not to do anything or else will give harsh answer. They dont want armenian borders changed. Syunik is Armenia as is Zangezur. Armenia can still have mobilisatiin and more of azeris soldiers will be dead because of one freaky person

[@abrahamtheaze362]

Life is a karma... what they faced us in 90s is their nightmare today.

[@The_Real_Grandpa_Joe]

No, in the 90s you bombed the civilians when they wanted independence from your fascist society , they got sick of your mobs killing Armenians and destroying our heritage. Don’t make this about karma when you’ve been massacring Armenians for way long before the 90s. Shameless troll with a sick twisted opinion on history of this situation. Since u wanna talk karma, you will one day taste a bit fat one, as a society which teaches their children lies about Armenian history, erases any evidence of Armenian history, and mutiliates civilians and soldiers. Fascist society and dictatorship one of the same.

[@Maharaaja.]

before it was Baku pogrom.

[@hourbee5535]

Go ask Russian friends for help LOL

[@pirmuradbabayev1709]

We dont want take Zangazur. Maybe 100 years ago it was our. But today not. We took what belongs to us. (Karabakh).

[@somerandomduud4086]

It was inhabited by Armenians for like 94% of the majority though, why would u want to have land where your own people don't even live in? I'm just curious, and honestly if the Armenians there left and the historical sites are well protected then I have no problem with azerians keeping it cuz our people all fled from there is what I heard from several news channels.

[@emilaliyev9610]

@@somerandomduud4086 yeah they fled, but they didn’t just wake up one day and decide to run

[@somerandomduud4086]

@@emilaliyev9610 they didn't indeed, they fled cuz they were threatened by the azerian government

[@emilaliyev9610]

@@somerandomduud4086 There was a public statement made the president of Azerbaijan recognize Armenian population of the region as Azerbaijani citizens, and publicly made promise was made to keep Armenian language, culture and history. The latest French video also mentions in the last 6 seconds that the local population refuses the aid packages from Azerbaijan. I know that both sides are afraid and have little trust left towards each other, but if they are not forced by the government to abandon their houses, it already speaks volumes towards the peace process. It is also clear that Azerbaijan does not want French involvement in the resolution process.

[@emilaliyev9610]

@@somerandomduud4086 There was no claim from their side against the population. From what I know, and this was stated by the president of Azerbaijan in the interview, that during the first peace talks Azerbaijan was willing to grant the autonomy within their territory, keep the culture, language, history and all full rights of any other Azerbaijani citizen (the latter from the president I heard in the news). No news or statements from their side included violence against the civil population.

[@taartog]

One side story ! Where is the other party ? . 20% of Azerbaijan was under Armemian occupation and after Azerbaijan liberated its lands then Armenians could not believe that Azerbaijanis are here and near .Azerbaijanis are in ther territory

[@somerandomduud4086]

We should've indeed not taken that much territory, I think it was more kind of a defensive act to ensure nagarno Karabakh wouldn't be in a vulnerable position of being sieged like we saw in the last few months

[@elvinilogy]

Fake news

[@somerandomduud4086]

I'm sorry but what part of this is "fake news" do u have sources to back up your claim that can support themselves against people who have studied their job for decades?

[@rubenhayk5514]

Time for Armenians in Syunik to pack the bags and prepare to leave.

[@Maharaaja.]

its will be your way to hell.

[@somerandomduud4086]

Hypocritical cuz ur defense for keeping Karabakh is that its is "internationally recognized land that should be respected" so why don't u respect armenia's?

[@manotenkerian]

Never! I can see karabach but never syunik; it's armenian territory

[@husseinhillow5739]

I remember what happened to Azerbaijan on 1994 .their land was taken forcefully thousands of azeris were killed .displaced raped .God is great, now the arrogant Armenians are crying.

[@somerandomduud4086]

Can u provide the source?

[@BairaSalem]

Azerbaijan has the right to defend itself. The US should move another carrier strike group in support of Azerbaijan.

[@japhetbenjaming6053]

A child that says he's mother will not sleep he too will not sleep.... America is too slow to unleash it's might, in the names of Democracy, that's why people like you feel you know a thing or two about violence

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

Azerbaijan and Turkey are promoting international terrorism.

[@BairaSalem]

@@aRme7 You would be totally right if you replaced Azerbaijan by Israel and Turkey bey USA. Think about it.

[@jj-gz9xd]

@@aRme7 lol is there a bigger brat than armenia? Stomping their feet and making all sorts of demands from everyone just because they are so 'special', because everyone 'owes' them, because they are just supposed to be given what they want. I am sure there is a name for this clinical diagnosis

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

Azerbaijan is invading sovereign territories and committing war crimes. You obviously don't know what "defending itself" means.

[@KDs143Gaming]

Love you Azerbaijan

[@AR-zq5qg]

You love dictatorship and autocracy. Is North Korea your vacation destination?

[@marca7542]

Hate you Azerbaijan

[@user-tj8kr7ux1g]

What's there to love? Made up history, dictatorship, antiquated norms, countless massacres...

[@earthboy5719]

Azerbaijan should take it, as Armenia took parts of Azerbaijan when they had the chance.

[@linkme2dnet]

100% of azeri oil & has pass through a 54 km wide ganja corridor. if Syunik province(internationally recognized part of 🇦🇲) is occupied by azeris, all those pipelines will be razed to the ground. 2/3 of azeri budget is based on their o&g revenue. so no money for next few years and economy goes bust ! and lets not forget Iran has threatened military intervention in case Armenia - Iran border is cut off.

[@raufabbasov6920]

​@@linkme2dnethahaha do you know who buy those Oil and Gas?European countries.Then Armenia will declare war to the European countries😂. And the result of that Azerbaijan will get their whole Historical territories because of that act of Armenia.Dont forget Iran cant attack Azerbaijan.There are more than 20 million Turk people in Iran and Ayetullah Khamanei is Azeri.

[@TvGunslingeRvT]

President Aliyev today said that Azeris will be back to Zangezur but by peaceful means. Azerbaijan will never occupy Internationally recognized areas of Armenia.

[@AR-zq5qg]

@@linkme2dnet Syunik is NOT an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan. You need to double-check what your dictator is telling you. There is a reason that so many countries are setting up Consulates in Syunik; they have been listening to the violent rhetoric of your dictator.

[@linkme2dnet]

@@AR-zq5qg typo