Tag: Syunik
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Syunik is Armenia’s southernmost province, bordering Iran to the south and containing the cities of Goris and Kapan. It became a flashpoint in the post-2020 period for two related reasons: Azerbaijani demands for a transit corridor through its territory, and the ongoing encroachment of Azerbaijani forces on Armenian sovereign territory along its eastern and northern edges.
The proposed Zangezur Corridor — which Azerbaijan and Turkey have pushed for to connect Azerbaijan proper to the Nakhijevan exclave without crossing Armenian customs or security checkpoints — would run through Syunik. Armenia has consistently rejected extraterritorial corridor arrangements, insisting that any road or rail links operate under Armenian sovereignty and law. The dispute over this corridor has been one of the most contentious elements of the peace process.
Since 2021, Azerbaijani forces have occupied positions on Armenian sovereign territory in the Syunik region, including areas around Goris that effectively severed the direct road to Kapan for a period. The military pressure on Syunik is part of the broader pattern of Azerbaijani land seizures on Armenian territory that continued even after the 44-Day War ceasefire. Groong episodes covering Syunik address the corridor dispute, border security, and the strategic significance of Armenia’s southern corridor for its relationship with Iran.
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:
- Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
- Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
- Election Politics
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian
- George Tabakyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
Tensions on the Border | Latest IRI & MPG Polls | Election Politics | (Ep #65) - May 30, 2021 [EP65]
Posted on Monday, May 31, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, ArtsakhANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:
- Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
- Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
- Election Politics
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian
- George Tabakyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021
Topics:
- Border update, and Leaked documents
- Azerbaijan membership in the CSTO?
- New MPG Poll on the Armenian Elections
Guest:
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 23, 2021
Topics:
- Border update, and Leaked documents
- Azerbaijan membership in the CSTO?
- New MPG Poll on the Armenian Elections
Guest:
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210523.html Recorded: May 24, 2021
PM Roadmap, NA Polls | Syunik | Recognized. What next? | Stepanakert | Space! - Ep #59: 2021-04-25 [EP59]
Posted on Monday, Apr 26, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Iran, Economy, Israel, Artsakh, China, Syria, Armenian Church | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021
Topics:
- Nikol Pashinyanâs Roadmap & Snap Parliamentary Polls
- The Visit to Syunik
- Biden Recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Now What?
- Update from Stepanakert
- Are we Going to Mars?
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
PM Roadmap, NA Polls | Syunik | Recognized. What next? | Stepanakert | Space! - Ep #59: 2021-04-25 [EP59]
Posted on Monday, Apr 26, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Iran, Economy, Israel, Artsakh, China, Syria, Armenian ChurchANN/Groong Week in Review - April 25, 2021
Topics:
- Nikol Pashinyanâs Roadmap & Snap Parliamentary Polls
- The Visit to Syunik
- Biden Recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Now What?
- Update from Stepanakert
- Are we Going to Mars?
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210425.html Episode 59 | Recorded: April 25, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021
Topics:
- Whatâs Going on with the Armed Forces?
- Turkey: Enemy No More?
- What Just Happened in the General Staff?
- Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
- The Defense Budget
- Report from Syunik
Guests
- George Tabakian
- Karen Vrtanesyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - March 28, 2021
Topics:
- Whatâs Going on with the Armed Forces?
- Turkey: Enemy No More?
- What Just Happened in the General Staff?
- Morale and Readiness of the Armed Forces
- The Defense Budget
- Report from Syunik
Guests
- George Tabakian
- Karen Vrtanesyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210328.html Episode 55 | Recorded: March 28, 2021
Sargsyan Interview | Criminalizing Defamation | Martial Law? | Protests 2/20/21 | Govsagan (Ep #51) [EP51]
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Iran | Series: WIR
ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021
Topics Covered:
- President Sargsyanâs Interview
- Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
- Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
- Opposition Protests on Feb 20
- Govsagan, in the end
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
- Marine Manucharyan @armoland
- @Emil_Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
- Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021