Protesters in Armenia are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, leading to clashes with police and the detention of 196 individuals in Yerevan. The unrest was sparked by the government’s controversial decision to return four border villages to Azerbaijan. Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent cleric and leader of the protests, has garnered support to become the next prime minister.
The protests, initially focused on the returned villages, have expanded to address broader grievances against Pashinyan’s administration. The recent tensions are further accentuated by concerns over severe flooding in the Tavush region, where villages have been cut off and residents evacuated. Armenia’s officials have reported casualties and are working to provide assistance to those affected by the natural disaster.
The escalating situation comes as Armenia grapples with defining its border with Azerbaijan following the recent conflict in the Karabakh region. The Armenian military, along with ethnic Armenian fighters, had controlled Karabakh since 1994 until Azerbaijan regained parts of the territory in 2020. Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasizes the need for a swift resolution to avoid further hostilities.
Despite the challenges, the protests continue to draw momentum as demonstrators demand political change and accountability in Armenia.