Armenia takes down controversial crusader flags at Azerbaijan border VIDEO

Armenia has lowered flags featuring the symbol of the crusaders along its border with Azerbaijan, a move that follows the earlier display of these flags.

Reports from October 8 indicated that Armenia had raised flags adorned with the crusaders' cross at the state border, specifically in the villages of Shurnukhu and Vorotan in the Gorus district. Photographic evidence of the flags was circulated widely at the time.

According to information obtained by local media, on the evening of October 30, a crane was deployed in Vorotan village around 5-6 PM to lower the flag with the cross, replacing it with the Armenian national flag, which does not feature the cross, Caliber.Az reports.

Shortly after, around 8 PM, a similar operation took place in Shurnukh village, where the crusader flag was also taken down and replaced with the standard Armenian flag.

This action comes amid heightened tensions along the border, including incidents of provocation by Armenia. On October 23, the EU Reconnaissance and Observation Mission reported unusual activities at the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. A convoy consisting of three vehicles — two black SUVs and one white car with EU insignia — was observed travelling between the villages of Baganis Ayrum and Voskepar (historically known as Yukhari Askipara).

Following this, the same convoy was seen near the Azerbaijani village of Farahli, where Armenian military personnel were engaged in engineering works. The interaction between European observers and Armenian servicemen raises questions about the role of these EU representatives. Are they merely observers, or are they acting as military advisors?

The presence of EU Monitoring and Assistance Mission (EUMA) officials at the engineering sites suggests they are exceeding their observational mandate. Their involvement appears to extend beyond supervision to providing guidance on engineering and fortification efforts.

Prior to the incident, on October 14, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed concerns regarding the extension of the EUMA mission's mandate without Azerbaijan's consent or consultation. He emphasized that such actions contribute to a growing distrust in relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

By Tamilla Hasanova