Fleeing from Nagorno Karabakh
ita engOn September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, changing the fate of thousands of people in just a few hours. Over 80 thousand people have already left the region. From our correspondent in Yerevan, Armine Avetisyan, some shots from one of the registration centre to enter Armenia
On September 19, after a months-long blockade and military buildup along the border of the Armenian-majority enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijani army launched a military attack and occupied its territory. Within a day, Azerbaijani forces quickly overwhelmed local defenses, killing more than 200 people, including civilians.
In exchange for the cessation of bombing, Azerbaijan demanded the surrender of the political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh and the disarmament of the entity's armed forces. After a day of bloody battles, silence now reigns in Stepanakert and the city is emptying. Azerbaijan's requests are granted, but many of the local residents prefer to leave Karabakh for Armenia.
Karabakh, which has 120,000 inhabitants, effectively became depopulated in a matter of hours. By the late evening of September 28, more than 80 thousand people had already entered Armenia, where special centers have been created to welcome refugees who are registered and who are provided with food and accommodation.
The Armenian government is discussing a series of programs aimed at helping those arriving get housing, jobs, education and other necessities. The reception process takes place 24 hours a day.
