February 1, 2014 – 16:58 AMT

Creation of Armenian army dates back to the last years of the existence of the USSR. At the time, on the backdrop of the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, volunteer units were being formed, armed with whatever weaponry they were able to procure, Lenta.ru said.

“In 1991, defense committees were created in Armenia, as well as the Nagorno Karabakh, where Armenian population prevailed. Later, a defense ministry was established, to be followed by creation of official armed forces (similar process was ongoing in the Nagorno Karabakh, which declared its independence from Azerbaijan.) Armenia, as well as other USSR states, received a part of the property of the Soviet Army which still remained on their territories,” the article said.

According to Lenta.ru, the Karabakh war in early 90s became a serious trial to Armenian and Karabakh soldiers. “They managed to break though the resistance of Azeri forces, with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic de facto retaining its independence (which, however, hasn’t been followed by international recognition.) Besides, Armenians took control of the Azerbaijan-adjacent territories, used as a buffer zone (construed as “Armenian occupation” of the region by Baku.) Currently, Armenian army is numbered at 50000, with draftees replenishing Armenian forces.

Armenia marked the Army Day on January 28, with the Nagorno Karabakh President stressing in his statement, “it is now undeniable that Armenian army is the most efficient and organized in the region – one of the most significant achievements of our nation.”

Source: PanARMENIAN.Net