United Nations (UN) mission has arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh, marking the global body’s first access to the region in nearly three decades. Azerbaijani media reported this development as ethnic Armenians from the area near the end of their mass exodus following a military offensive by Azerbaijan last month.
The UN mission, led by a senior U.N. aid official, arrives as Armenia seeks international intervention. Armenia has taken the matter to the World Court, requesting that Azerbaijan withdraw all its troops from civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh and allow the United Nations access to the region.
The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, had previously ruled in February that Azerbaijan must ensure free movement through the Lachin corridor, an essential route to and from the region.
According to Russia’s RIA news agency, the process of relocating those who wish to leave Nagorno-Karabakh and move to neighboring Armenia is nearing its completion. This comes after a challenging period in which well over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh made the journey to Armenia in less than a week, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier on Sunday.
Dr. Hans Henri P Kluge, the regional director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, expressed the enormity of the challenges faced, stating, “We’ve activated our emergency systems and will be sending experts to the country across a range of disciplines including mental health, burns management, essential health services, and emergency coordination following a full assessment of the needs. The challenges are truly enormous, and we’re there to do all we can.”
The exodus of Armenian families this week has been marred by tragedy, as an explosion at a fuel depot claimed the lives of at least 170 people, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
This development signifies a crucial turning point in the ongoing crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, as international organizations and efforts are mobilized to address the pressing humanitarian needs and restore stability to the region.