Red Cross calls on Karabakh conflict parties to protect civilians

Houses, schools and hospitals have been destroyed in the front-line regions of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh; residents are trying to move to safe places; and some are forced to hide in basements, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stated, calling on the parties to the Karabakh conflict to protect the civilian population.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that combat actions have been going on in the Karabakh conflict zone since September 27. The martial law is in force in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

"As the Karabakh conflict gains momentum, more and more civilians are suffering. Deaths and wounds of civilians have been noted on both sides of the contact line and in Armenia. There are children among the dead and wounded," says the ICRC's statement.

The Red Cross receives reports that people from the conflict zone are trying to move with their relatives to safe places, but there are families who are forced to hide with their small children in unheated basements of their houses, the statement is stressing.

"It is also reported that hundreds of residential buildings and objects of civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, are destroyed by heavy artillery fire. Among the ruins of destroyed buildings, another danger awaits people – unexploded ordnance," says the ICRC's statement, the text of which was translated by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The statement notes that a new escalation of the conflict began on the eve of winter amid the pandemic, and when "children went to school just a few weeks ago."

"The ICRC is approached by people who fear for their lives and for the lives of their loved ones. They do not know what to do or where to run to be saved. They are caught between two fires and are now gripped by fear for their safety and future. We call on the parties to protect civilians and the key services and infrastructure needed to survive, and comply with its obligations under the international humanitarian law," said Martin Schüpp, Regional Operations Director of the ICRC.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 3, 2020 at 01:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.