About 85,000 people moved to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh
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As of 6 AM [0200 GMT], 84,770 people have arrived in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Ethnic Armenian elderly women from Nagorno-Karabakh rest after arriving in Armenia's Goris in Syunik region, Armenia, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 (AP Photo/Vasily Krestyaninov)
Approximately 85,000 Nagorno-Karabakh residents have moved to Armenia since September 24, according to information provided by Nazeli Baghdasaryan, the spokesperson for the Armenian cabinet.
Baghdasaryan conveyed this information via social media, stating, "As of 6 a.m. [0200 GMT], 84,770 people have arrived in Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh."
This significant exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh's predominantly Armenian population began the preceding week after Azerbaijan declared the successful conclusion of its so-called "anti-terrorist" operation initiated against the breakaway region on September 19.
Following this declaration, Nagorno-Karabakh's authorities, with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, agreed to disarm and relinquish all their weaponry to Baku the following day.
Armenia explicitly stated that it was not involved in these negotiations. Azerbaijan's government, on the other hand, committed to taking measures to support the "integration" of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians who choose to stay in the region.
Here's all you need to know about the simmering tension in the #NagornoKarabakh region between #Armenia and #Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/bQ7ItwvpKA
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 19, 2023
Earlier on Thursday, the President of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Samvel Shahramanyan, signed Thursday a decree that dictates the termination of the existence of the republic he heads.
"Based on the priority of ensuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Karabakh, taking into account the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with representatives of Azerbaijan that free, voluntary, and unimpeded passage of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including military personnel who have laid down their arms, with their property is ensured on their vehicles along the Lachin corridor ... a decision was made: to dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination until January 1, 2024," the decree read.
The decree added that subsequently, "the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist." According to reports, the decree is set to take effect immediately after publication.
What you need to know -
The Armenian government announced on Tuesday that 28,120 people have been forcibly displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as a result of the military campaign launched by Azerbaijan.
In a press release, the government noted that "As of September 26, 8:00 pm [local time, 18:00 GMT], 28 120 forcibly displaced persons entered Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh. Of these, registration information for 20,800 have been summarized, and the need assessment of 7 320 is still in process."
According to the statement, the government in Yerevan has already housed about 3,253 people as it has taken on the responsibility to provide accommodation for those with no place to go.
