Armenia holds large-scale military parade.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Europe, on May 28, for the first time in 10 years, Armenia held a large-scale military parade to celebrate Republic Day, marking the birth of the first republic in 1918.

Armenian fighter jets perform a flypast during a Republic Day parade in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo: Reuters

On this day in 1918, the Armenian National Council declared the establishment of the first Armenian Republic, following victories in battles against the Turkish army at Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, and Gharakilisa. The parade began with units of the Armenian Armed Forces marching into Republic Square in the center of the capital. Among them were special forces and mechanized infantry units. For the first time in the history of Armenian parades, an all-female battalion, formed in 2023, also participated in the march.

The vast square was packed with high-ranking officials, foreign ambassadors, and government representatives. Silence fell for a moment. In that silence, the Chief of Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Edward Asryan, entered the square, followed by the Minister of Defense, Suren Papikyan. Papikyan proceeded to the various units, offering congratulations on the occasion of the parade, before ascending the platform to meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was waiting, and reporting on the army's readiness for the parade. The Prime Minister then addressed the participating forces and the onlookers.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this is the first time in Armenia's history that the Republic Day is being celebrated in peace. Nikol Pashinyan affirmed that the country has overcome the "temporary" state of national institutions and is moving towards the long-term stability of the Armenian state.

The head of the Armenian government also reiterated that many citizens sacrificed their lives for peace today. In their memory, the ceremony began with a minute of silence, followed by a series of flares and the national anthem.

During the equipment demonstration, many types of weapons were showcased for the first time. The vehicles that passed through the square included the French Bastion armored vehicle, the Wolf reconnaissance and attack robot, the Tuman system for detecting airborne targets, and the Tork 155 mm towed artillery. The air force also participated, with the appearance of reconnaissance and attack drones.

The parade concluded with an aerial display by the Armenian air force, recreating the national flag's colors of red, blue, and orange in the skies over the capital.

The most recent military parade in Armenia was held in September 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of its independence. Following this, Armenia and Azerbaijan were embroiled in years of conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 2023, the two sides signed a preliminary peace agreement, paving the way for the normalization of relations and the end of the long-standing dispute.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/armenia-duyet-binh-quy-mo-lon-a487207.html