Mkhitaryan, Aronian raise Karabakh's right to live in peaceSeptember 27, 2020 - 16:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and grandmaster Levon Aronian have expressed support for Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to live peacefully in their own land. Their comments came hours after Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive along the Karabakh contact line and has been shelling civilian settlements since early morning. At least two civilians – a woman and a child – have been killed, while two others have been injured. "We have an unalienable right to live in our homeland without an existential threat. Our children have the right to live in peace rather than hiding in shelters. I always stand by my Nation," Mkhitaryan tweeted. Aronian, meanwhile, reminisced about how his grandfather told him that his family's ancestry comes from Karabakh. "I won my first strong tournament in a wonderful city of Stepanakert. We are people who have always defended with pride throughout the history. We will this time too, I know it," Aronian said in a tweet of his own. Both Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization of their male population. The Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army said on Sunday, September 27 that helicopters, drones, tanks and infantry armored vehicles belonging to the Azerbaijani military have been destroyed since morning. Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan has already briefed Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, on the situation along the Karabakh contact line. Karabakh President’s spokesperson Vahram Poghosyan has said the Azerbaijani military has been shelling the civilian settlements of Karabakh, including the capital Stepanakert. The last major escalation on the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakh was in April 2016 when Azerbaijan resumed hostilities against Karabakh. Throughout the four-day military campaign, 64 soldiers, 13 volunteers and four civilians, including a child, were killed and more than 120 people were wounded on the Armenian side. According to information from the U.S. Department of State, Azerbaijan lost more than 270 people in total. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |