Armenian Army Chief Confident Azerbaijan Will Withdraw From Occupied Territories Through Border Delimitation Without Military Intervention

In a bold statement from Armenia’s top military official, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff, Edward Asryan, has expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will ultimately withdraw from Armenian territories through peaceful means. Asryan’s comments come during ongoing border delimitation efforts, which aim to clarify and restore Armenia’s sovereignty over its recognized borders, without military intervention.

During a recent briefing at the National Assembly, Asryan voiced his agreement with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's stance that regaining Armenian lands currently occupied by Azerbaijan should be achieved through diplomatic, rather than military, measures. "There is a process of border delimitation [between Armenia and Azerbaijan], and within its framework, the restoration of the sovereign territory of Armenia—with respective borders—is planned," Asryan stated.

Asryan’s optimism reflects a belief in the effectiveness of ongoing negotiations. When asked if he is certain that Azerbaijani forces would indeed withdraw as a result of the border delimitation, he responded affirmatively. “Yes. I'm sure. It is possible to implement it through peaceful processes of border delimitation,” Asryan said, sharing his hope for a non-military resolution.

While hopeful for diplomatic solutions, Asryan clarified the distribution of responsibility in protecting Armenia's borders, emphasizing that it is not solely the military's role. “Everyone is responsible,” he explained. The General Staff, he noted, plays its role during combat operations by directing military responses as necessary, but the issue of territorial sovereignty extends beyond his military remit.

Currently, Armenia’s borders are stable, with no immediate risk of military escalation from Azerbaijan, according to Asryan. “As of now, there is no risk of military escalation,” he stated, noting that the General Staff’s assessment reflects a stable border situation. However, speculation about potential conflicts has been circulating, particularly with regard to the upcoming COP29 climate conference, set to be hosted by Azerbaijan.

Addressing these concerns, Asryan explained that Armenia’s political leadership assesses potential risks over a longer timeframe. He described the notion of "after COP29" as open to interpretation, explaining that it could imply a period of several months or longer, depending on the evolving situation. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, views the current security landscape as stable over this “reasonable period” extending beyond six months or even up to a year, based on broader politico-military considerations.

Armenia’s leadership remains cautiously optimistic. While the current situation does not indicate imminent conflict, the government is prepared to monitor and respond as necessary.