Armenia concerned about large-scale military exercises in Azerbaijan

About 10,000 military servicemen are taking part in the exercises, launched on May 20 in Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported. In its turn, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated that the undeclared exercises violate the commitments to the OSCE.

The large-scale operative-tactical exercises began on May 20 and will last until May 24, the press service of the Azerbaijani MoD has announced.

"The exercises involve up to 10,000 servicemen, 150 tanks and other armoured vehicles, up to 200 missile and artillery systems of various calibres, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, and up to 35 aircraft and helicopters," say the message posted on the MoD's website on May 20.

The holding of military exercises by Azerbaijan without any prior notification is a violation of the country's commitments to the OSCE, which does not contribute to peace and confidence in the region, Anna Nagdalyan, spokesperson of Armenian MFA, said at the briefing on May 21.

"Naturally, this issue will be raised by the Armenia's Permanent Mission to the OSCE," the "Aysor.am" quotes Ms Nagdalyan as saying.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 22, 2019 at 06:53 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.