More than 13,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh arrived in Armenia

At least 13 thousand people from Nagorno Karabakh they fled towards Armeniathe authorities of Yerevanalmost a week after the victorious lightning offensive of Azerbaijan in this separatist territory of Caucasus.

Amid population exodus Armenia of this territory internationally recognized as part Azerbaijanthe explosion on Monday of a fuel tank left at least 20 dead and 280 injuredArmenian separatist authorities reported this Tuesday.

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“Dozens of patients remain in critical conditionor”, said in a statement the separatist authorities who requested foreign help to manage this crisis.

According to the latest report, 20 people died and there are still 13 victims who have not been identified and who must undergo analysis by forensic experts.

On the only land route outside this territory, the Lachinthere are hundreds of vehicles waiting to cross Armeniaafter Yerevan authorities reported plans to “ethnic cleansing”.

Civilians began the exodus, despite for that the president of the Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyevreiterated on Monday the promise to “guarantee” the rights of the Armenians who remain in this enclave.

A refugee family stops on the side of the road after crossing the border, near the town of Kornidzor, on September 26, 2023. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP) (ALAIN JOCARD/)

Aliyev spoke during a meeting with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhich is a key actor in this region of Caucasuspopulated mainly by Armenians, but which was integrated for Azerbaijan during the Soviet era.

Armenia It is Azerbaijanwhich are two former Soviet republics, have fought two wars in the last three decades throughout Nagorno Carabaquebetween 1988 and 1994 and in 2020. Last week’s operation ended with 200 dead, according to Armenian separatists.

O European Union is scheduled to receive in Brussels this Tuesday for Representatives Armenia and Azerbaijan, in a meeting attended by emissaries from Germany It is France.

Hundreds of vehicles headed towards Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh on September 26, 2023. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (ALAIN JOCARD/)

The Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyanand the president of Azerbaijan They will meet on October 5th at Grenadein southern Spain, in a meeting that was already scheduled and was not cancelled.

The head of government of Germany, Olaf Scholzthe president of France, Emmanuel Macronand the President of the European Council.

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The exodus continues

In Nagorno Carabaque the exodus of the population continues Armenia of this enclave and there are immense traffic jams on the only route that connects the city considered the capital of this territory, Stepanakert, with Armenia.

Azerbaijan promised to allow rebels who lay down their arms to flee for Armenia.

This territory had 120,000 inhabitants before the lightning offensive launched by Azerbaijan on September 19, which occurred after months of supply blockages in this enclave.

Hundreds of vehicles were heading to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh on September 26, 2023, following Azerbaijan’s lightning offensive against the separatist enclave, said the AFP team present at the scene. (Photo by Siranush ADAMYAN/AFP) (SIRANUSH ADAMYAN/)

At the theater Gorisin Armenia, there is a constant flow of vehicles arriving loaded. There are also civilians who take the path from there to Yerevan and other large Armenian cities.

This border town began for to receive refugees the Sunday. Last week, the Armenian Prime Minister announced that his country of 2.9 million people was preparing for receive 40,000 refugees.

Russia, which had a strong presence in the region and in the last conflict mobilized for a peacekeeping force that left a contingent in Nagorno Carabaquerejected on Monday the criticism of Armenia of having abandoned them.

Source: Elcomercio