The president of Azerbaijan can announce whatever he wants, but those statement does not correspond to the facts, Armenia’s Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Edvard Asryan told the reporters on Wednesday.

Asryan was responding to remarks made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who on Tuesday said during a recent visit to Artsakh’s Karavatchar (Kelbajar) region, said that his government is strengthening the new border between Azerbaijan and Armenia and justified Azerbaijani troop movements in the area.

“This is our land,” Aliyev said. “The views expressed by Armenia are completely unfounded. We are on our land. Lake Sev is ours. Other territories are also ours. We have returned. This territory was held by the Armenians for thirty years.”

Asryan called Aliyev’s remarks “distortions.” The Army leader said that Aliyev’s provocative announcement has increased Armenia’s vigilance and “we are ready to repel any provocative action organized by him.’’

Asryan also told reporters about his told the reporters about a briefing he gave at a closed session of Armenia’s Parliament on Wednesday that focused on the standoff at the Armenian border.

He said a number of issues were discussed about operative situation both in the eastern border, as well as the Yeraskh-Sadarak region in the Ararat Province, which border Nakhichevan.

“I can assure that the Armed Forces are firmly standing their ground and are properly responding to various provocations by the enemy,” Asryan told reporters outside parliament. He added that the public should also understand that there are casualties on the Azerbaijani side.

“We are in control of the situation on our borders, and the task set ahead for the Armed Forces is being carried out with dignity,” added Asryan.

https://asbarez.com/armenian-army-ready-to-respond-to-azerbaijani-attacks/