Azerbaijan sets up humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuation in Karabakh

ISTANBUL (AA) – Azerbaijan has set up humanitarian corridors along the Lachin road to facilitate the evacuation of Armenian civilians in the Karabakh region, where it has launched “anti-terrorist activities,” the country’s Defense Ministry has said.

The ministry in a statement advised the civilian population to maintain a safe distance from military installations and to refrain from supporting Armenia’s armed forces formations.

“Related information was sent to Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan via mobile SMS service. At the same time, the population is warned through loudspeakers, and information leaflets are distributed,” it said.

Defense of administrative, social, educational, medical, religious, and other institutions will be managed in accordance with the international humanitarian law, the statement added.

The ministry said steps were taken to uphold the provisions outlined in the 2020 trilateral peace agreement signed with Russia and Armenia, and for disarmament and withdrawal of Armenia’s armed forces “from our territories.”

It said civilian population and infrastructure facilities were not targeted, and only legitimate military targets were being “incapacitated.”

The Armenian military had occupied Karabakh in 1991. Karabakh is a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

In the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages, and settlements from Armenian occupation during 44 days of clashes. The war ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire, but tensions continue despite talks over a long-term peace agreement.