On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, initiated a large-scale, unprovoked aggression against the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia.
Over the last few weeks, Azerbaijani forces have deliberately been attacking civilians and civilian structures, heavily shelling the capital city Stepanakert, Shushi, Mardakert, Hadrut, and other populated areas of Artsakh with cluster munitions and other weapons prohibited by International Humanitarian Law.
The Shushi Holy Savior (Ghazanchetsots) Cathedral was severely damaged after two deliberate air raids conducted by the Azerbaijani military on October 8 and 9. This is a violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property and the Second Protocol thereto, and part of a policy of cultural genocide that the Azerbaijani government has been implementing over the past 30 years by systematically destroying the historic Armenian heritage sites; including thousands of ancient Khachkars (carved cross stones) of the medieval cemetery of the city of Djulfa in Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
Intelligence services of different states, as well as media reports, reveal that a substantial number of mercenaries – some identifying as jihadists, others as fascist Grey Wolves – from Syria and Libya, are hired and sent by Turkey to Azerbaijan to fight against Armenians, which is yet another violation of international law. In other words, Artsakh is currently defending itself against international terrorism.
It is documented that Turkish armed forces and air forces are directly participating in the hostilities. Direct Turkish involvement in the decades-long conflict is a real existential threat to Armenians in Artsakh and Armenia. A recent statement issued by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, states that, Turkey, is going “to continue to fulfill the mission of their grandfathers, which was carried out a century ago in the Caucasus.” This constitutes a direct threat of continuing the Armenian Genocide that began in 1915.
A wake-Up call to International Community to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey for their Genocidal Acts against the Population of Artsakh. The full content of the letter please can see below or click here.
