The United Nations reported that over 100,000 refugees have entered Armenia in the wake of Azerbaijan's military operation aimed at regaining control of Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, thousands of individuals found themselves experiencing prolonged delays in an extensive traffic congestion at the border.
Filippo Grandi, who serves as the head of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, expressed concerns regarding the dire situation, stating on social media that many of the refugees are hungry, fatigued, and urgently require assistance. He emphasized the need for immediate international aid.
Italy disclosed that Armenia has approached the European Union to request temporary shelter and medical supplies to support the refugees.
Siranush Sargsyan, a freelance journalist covering the flight of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, informed Reuters that thousands of people, along with their belongings crammed into vehicles such as cars, trucks, and tractors, are stranded on the mountainous highway leading to Armenia. Many of these individuals are in need of immediate medical attention, and the situation is exceedingly challenging. Sargsyan stated, "As you can see, we are still stuck on the road," and expressed doubt that they would reach the border within the next 24 hours.
Following a rapid Azerbaijani offensive that resulted in the reintegration of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijani control, a significant portion of Nagorno-Karabakh's 120,000 Armenians embarked on a mass migration towards Armenia. They cited concerns about persecution and ethnic cleansing despite Azerbaijan's assurances of safety.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has a predominantly Armenian Christian population. Three decades ago, amid a violent ethnic conflict during the disintegration of the Soviet Union, these Armenians established the self-declared Republic of Artsakh.
One refugee expressed a determination to eventually return home, asserting, "The world should not believe that we are willingly leaving Artsakh, ever. We fought till the very end, with our blood, with our lives to protect our country."
Azerbaijan reported that one of its servicemen was killed by sniper fire from Armenian forces in the border district of Kalbajar. However, Armenia denied the alleged incident.
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