2023-09-30 02:33:28
The exodus of Armenians from the Karabakh enclave continued on Friday, the day following the announcement of the dissolution of the unilaterally declared separatist republic. The European Union held Azerbaijan responsible for the “mass exodus” that came as a result of its recent “military operation” in the region. During their escape on the only mountain road linking the region to Armenia, at least 170 people were killed in a fuel warehouse explosion on Monday, according to a new tally published by the police affiliated with the separatist forces on Friday.
The police said, “The remains of 170 people have been found so far… and have been handed over to forensic medicine.” It will be sent to Armenia to identify its owners. The accident also injured 349 people, most of whom suffered serious burns. A previous toll indicated that at least 68 people were killed and regarding 100 others were missing.
Displaced people from Karabakh with their belongings upon their arrival in the town of Goris, Armenia, Friday (AP)
In total, regarding 600 people were reported killed following Baku’s military blitz that led to the separatists’ surrender on September 20. The fighting itself led to the deaths of regarding 200 soldiers on each side.
On Thursday, the Karabakh separatist authorities issued a decree ordering the dissolution of “all institutions… on January 1, 2024,” declaring that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, declared unilaterally more than 30 years ago, “will cease to exist.” The announcement was met with sadness in Armenia, where a TV presenter cried while reporting the news in a video that went viral.
A reception center for displaced people from Karabakh near the village of Kornidzor in Armenia, Friday (EPA)
The Kremlin announced on Friday that Russia will decide with Azerbaijan the future of the peacekeeping mission in this separatist region, where forces have been deployed since 2020. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, in response to journalists’ questions regarding the future of these forces: “Since the mission is now present on the territory Azerbaijani, this point will be the subject of discussions with the Azerbaijani side.”
Displacement continues
Within a few days, 88,780 people, or regarding three quarters of the region’s population of 120,000 people, left their homes, according to the latest census published by Yerevan.
Volunteers provide bottles of water to those fleeing Karabakh following crossing the border into Armenia on Friday (EPA)
The European Union held Azerbaijan responsible for the “mass exodus” of Armenians. A statement by the union said that residents are “fleeing” from their homes in the region to Armenia following a months-long closure of the Lachin Corridor, which is a short mountain road linking Armenia to the Armenian-populated areas in the region.
The statement stressed the necessity of “continuing unhindered humanitarian support to those who still need it in Karabakh, as well as to those who have left,” noting that the European Union supports the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross in facilitating the urgent evacuation of the wounded and sick, and providing emergency assistance.
The European statement stressed that Azerbaijan also bears “the responsibility to guarantee the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes in dignity without intimidation or discrimination, as well as the right of return for the displaced.”
He also called for the need for a United Nations mission to be able to reach the region in the coming days. The office of a presidential advisor in Azerbaijan announced on Friday that the country intends to allow a group of United Nations experts to visit Karabakh “within days.” He added that the media has the opportunity to visit Karabakh.
Volunteers deliver news to displaced people from Karabakh following they entered the territory of Armenia on Friday (AP)
Fear of revenge
Residents fear retaliation following the military attack launched by Baku. Most of the people AFP met in the Armenian border town of Goris, where all the men have military and combat experience, said they burned their uniforms, military documents, and much more.
Bayram Balci, a researcher at the Institute of Political Sciences in France, says: “No one believes in the possibility of coexistence between the two sects. Neither Armenians nor Azerbaijanis are ready for this option.” He adds that the Armenians of Karabakh “left of their own free will.” “I find it more worrying” than if they were expelled, estimating that “only 5,000 to 10,000 people will probably stay” there. It is likely that only empty apartments and waste fields will remain when the separatists hand over the keys to Baku.
According to Yerevan, the residents’ fears are fueled by a series of “illegal arrests” among fleeing civilians, despite the Azerbaijani authorities’ commitment to allowing the separatists who surrendered their weapons to leave. Zala Bayramova, a lawyer specializing in the field of human rights and the daughter of an opposition figure who is in prison in Baku, says: “They were all accused of terrorism and treason simply for publishing messages (on social media) criticizing the war.” She adds: “Therefore, when the government says that it will treat Armenians well and with dignity, this is not true at all.” In this context, the Azerbaijani Security Service announced on Friday that it had arrested a senior leader in Karabakh on suspicion of involvement in “terrorist” activities. He said that the detainee, who was identified as Davit Manoukyan, rose to the rank of major general in the Armenian army, before becoming the first deputy commander of the separatist force.
1696042101
#Karabakh #emptied #population #European #Union #holds #Azerbaijan #responsible