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.

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

ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • President Sargsyan’s 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

Syunik Confidential | Developments in Artsakh | Snap elections flip flop (Ep #49) [EP49]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, China, Economy | Series: WIR

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Syunik Confidential
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

Syunik Confidential | Developments in Artsakh | Snap elections flip flop (Ep #49) [EP49]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, China, Economy

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • Syunik Confidential
  • Developments in Artsakh
  • Snap elections flip flop

Guests:

  • Emil Sanamyan
  • Alen Zamanyan

Your Hosts:

  • Hovik Manucharyan
  • Asbed Bedrossian

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021

State of The Opposition | Update on Am/Az Border Positions | State of the Artsakh LoC (Ep #40) [EP40]

Posted on Monday, Jan 11, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Middle East, Turkey, Ukraine | Series: WIR

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • The State of the Opposition and their demands
  • Update on the Border Positions between Armenia & Azerbaijan
  • The State of the Line of Contact around Artsakh

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021

State of The Opposition | Update on Am/Az Border Positions | State of the Artsakh LoC (Ep #40) [EP40]

Posted on Monday, Jan 11, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Middle East, Turkey, Ukraine

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021

Topics Covered:

  • The State of the Opposition and their demands
  • Update on the Border Positions between Armenia & Azerbaijan
  • The State of the Line of Contact around Artsakh

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • George Tabakian

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021

Opposition Talks: Edmon Marukyan of Bright Armenia Party (Ep. 36) [EP36]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Economy, Genocide, Human Rights | Series: COG

Conversation with Bright Armenia’s Edmon Marukyan

Following the trilateral Karabakh ceasefire of Nov 9, all major political forces in Armenia (except for the ruling party) condemned Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the deal. While the dissatisfaction with the agreement is widespread, the opposition is not entirely unified on what to do next.

We’ll talk with the leader of one of the 2 parliamentary opposition factions, Bright Armenia about his, and his party’s vision and subsequent actions to be taken by Armenia.

What is Bright Armenia’s vision for post November, Armenia? Listen to

 Read More

Opposition Talks: Edmon Marukyan of Bright Armenia Party (Ep. 36) [EP36]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Economy, Genocide, Human Rights

Conversation with Bright Armenia’s Edmon Marukyan

Following the trilateral Karabakh ceasefire of Nov 9, all major political forces in Armenia (except for the ruling party) condemned Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the deal. While the dissatisfaction with the agreement is widespread, the opposition is not entirely unified on what to do next.

We’ll talk with the leader of one of the 2 parliamentary opposition factions, Bright Armenia about his, and his party’s vision and subsequent actions to be taken by Armenia.

What is Bright Armenia’s vision for post November, Armenia? Listen to

 Read More

Life in Artsakh | Hin Tagher/Khtsaberd | Political Scene in Yerevan | Kapan Border Tension (Ep. 35) [EP35]

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Syria | Series: WIR

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 35 - Dec 20, 2020

Topics Covered:

  • Life in Artsakh
  • Update on Hin Tagher & Khtsaberd
  • Internal Political Situation in Yerevan
  • Kapan Border Tension

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Irina Safaryan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201220.html Recorded: Dec 20, 2020

Life in Artsakh | Hin Tagher/Khtsaberd | Political Scene in Yerevan | Kapan Border Tension (Ep. 35) [EP35]

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Syria

ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 35 - Dec 20, 2020

Topics Covered:

  • Life in Artsakh
  • Update on Hin Tagher & Khtsaberd
  • Internal Political Situation in Yerevan
  • Kapan Border Tension

Guests

  • Asbed Kotchikian
  • Irina Safaryan
  • Emil Sanamyan

Your Hosts:

  • Asbed Bedrossian
  • Hovik Manucharyan

Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201220.html Recorded: Dec 20, 2020