‘Russia must leave Armenia’: Armenians hold rally against Moscow army base
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Armenian protesters taking part in a rally on Aug 23 against the presence of a Russian military base in Gyumri city.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Protesters rallied in Gyumri, Armenia, demanding the removal of Russia's military base, claiming it threatens security, not ensures it.
- Counter-protesters defended the Russian base, stating it "ensures the independence and security of Armenia," highlighting divided opinions.
- Tensions rise as Armenia distances itself from Russia, suspending participation in CSTO and joining the ICC, mandating Putin's arrest if he enters.
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GYUMRI, Armenia – About 100 people staged a protest on Aug 23 outside a Russian army base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, calling for an end to Moscow’s military presence in the country.
Armenia, a landlocked former Soviet country in the Caucasus, has long relied on Russia to bolster its security in its stand-off with neighbouring Azerbaijan.
But ties between the traditional allies have been strained since Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive
“We demand the withdrawal of the Russian base from the territory of Armenia. The presence of this base does not ensure security, but creates an internal threat,” said Mr Arman Babajanyan, one of the organisers.
Some protesters held placards with slogans such as “Armenia without Russian boots” and “End the Russian occupation”.
“Russia must leave Armenia,” said protester Anahit Tadevosyan, who said the Russians were “destroying Ukraine”.
“They have betrayed us, they must leave,” the 74-year-old added.
A heavy police presence outside the base – home to around 3,000 troops – prevented clashes between the anti-Russia rally and a rival protest of a few dozen people in support of the base.
The Gyumri base “ensures the independence and security of Armenia”, Mr Manuk Sukiasyan, a member of the Mother Armenia movement, said at the counter-protest.
The Russian 102nd Military Base has been in the northern Armenian city since 1995.
In 2024, Russia agreed to remove some troops and border guards from Armenia, but left its forces on Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran.
The two countries are military allies through the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a mutual defence pact, though Yerevan said it had de facto suspended participation amid bilateral tensions.
Armenia also joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2024, a move that obliges it to arrest Russia’s President Vladimir Putin should he set foot on Armenian territory.
Mr Putin faces an ICC warrant
