The number of people arriving in Armenia from the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno Karabakh since the signing of the ceasefire last week following a one-day military offensive by Azerbaijan has risen to around 6,500, as confirmed this Monday by the Armenian Government .
The Armenian Executive has indicated in a statement published on its website that “as of 5:00 p.m. (local time) on September 25, 6,650 forcibly displaced people have entered Armenia from Nagorno Karabakh.”
Thus, he explained that “of the total, the registration information of 5,580 has been collected”, while another 1,070 are in the registration process. “The Government provides accommodation to all those who do not have a suitable place to stay,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the pro-Armenian forces of Nagorno Karabakh continue to withdraw to barracks and search for the missing and the Artsakh State Emergency Service has reported that more than 300 bodies have been found since September 21. The Azeri military operation began on September 19 and concluded the following day after a ceasefire agreement that provides for the disarmament and withdrawal of all forces of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic or Artsakh.
Among the bodies are seven civilians, including two minors and two others of two elderly people from the village of Sarnaghbyur, in the Askeran region. Three other dead civilians were located in the village of Shosh, also in the Askeran region, reports the Armenian portal news.am. The Artsakh authorities have also reported more than 400 injuries.
On the other hand, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Interior has reported the arrest of several residents of Nagorno Karabakh accused of laying mines. One of these explosive devices has killed four police officers and two civilians, according to Baku.
The Nagorno Karabakh region is a territory of about 4,400 square kilometers in the South Caucasus recovered by Azerbaijan in a military offensive that lasted just 24 hours that began on September 19. Until then, the area, with an Armenian majority, had been under the control of pro-Armenian forces for more than three decades despite the fact that the international community recognized the region as Azeri sovereignty. About 120,000 Armenians live in the area.
The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinian, stated on Sunday that the possibility of the Armenian population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region moving to Armenia as part of the reintegration of the territory into Azerbaijan is increasing, before warning of the danger of a “ethnic cleansing”.
The Azeri authorities have maintained at all times that their intention is for these people to remain in their homes and have promised to respect their rights, although they have indicated that members of pro-Armenian armed groups and the Armenian Armed Forces must hand over their weapons and leave. of the country in accordance with the agreement.
