BREAKING, Feb. 25: Armenian army demands Pashinyan's resignation, situation is tense in Yerevan

Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 25.02.21:

RESIGNATION

The Armenian army joint staff on Thursday issued a statement noting that the army demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. The statement was signed by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, his deputies, heads of departments, and commanders of all corps.

The Armenian army has expressed its resolute protest over the dismissal of the First Deputy Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff.

At the suggestion of the PM, President Armen Sarkissian had dismissed Tiran Khachatryan, who had reportedly mocked PM's words about the alleged flaw of the Russia-made Iskander missile systems.

Following the incident, the Armenian army noted that the PM and the government are no longer able to make proper decisions for the Armenian people.

After this statement, Nikol Pashinyan made a Facebook post, noting that he had signed the necessary documents to dismiss Onik Gasparyan, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces.

PM also noted that considered this statement a military coup attempt, and he urged his supporters to gather Republic Square in Yerevan.

Numerous political scientists and analysts, however, called the PM's aforesaid announcement an attempt to lead to civil strife and bloodshed.

WALK

After the statement of the Armenian army, a tense situation unfolded near the government's building. Pashinyan's supporters and opponents have gathered there.

Collisions between citizens periodically took place - resolved thanks to the intervention of police officers.

After the regular government's meeting, Pashinyan left the building and joined his supporters. The PM said that his resignation cannot be a solution to the issue.

After that, Pashinyan marched through the central streets of the capital. He walked, surrounded by police officers, which lined up in several rows.

By the way, many social media users noticed that most of the participants in the march were police officers, some of whom were in civilian clothes.

The opposition Homeland Salvation Movement, in turn, quickly gathered a rally, supporting the Armenian army's statement. Back in 2018, Pashinyan was holding his own rallies in Armenia demanding the resignation of the then authorities.

The rallies are being held in Armenia day-by-day as people are still demanding the current government's resignation.

People are protesting in Yerevan even amid the violence that police are using towards the protesters.

RUSSIA ON SITUATION

Responding to a request to comment on the events currently unrolling in Armenia, the Russian MFA said these are "Armenia's internal affair." The ministry did not add anything to this comment.

Russian president's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has also refrained from commenting on PM Pashinyan's statement on Russia-made weapons.

By the way, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that Russia-made Iskander ballistic missile "did not explode" or "exploded by 10%," arouses great disputes both in Armenia and Russia.

According to experts, Pashinyan questioned the efficiency of Russia-made weapons. Russian military journalist Yuri Kotenok, in turn, noted that Pashinyan's statement is dictated by his US partners.

TURKEY ON SITUATION

While Russia has decided to refrain from interfering in Armenia's internal affairs, Turkey condemns the "coup attempt" in Armenia.

According to them, one can criticize and demand the resignation of the government, but to overthrow the government with the help of the army is unacceptable.

Armenian experts assessed Turkey's statement as the support for PM Nikol Pashinyan.

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