Karabakh signals readiness to begin humanitarian mission

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons has signalled readiness to launch a humanitarian mission in the conflict zone if Azerbaijan remains committed to the ceasefire.

Although a humanitarian ceasefire supposed to begin at midday on October 10, the Azerbaijani military has been shelling the Armenian positions and settlements of Karabakh and launching new offensive along the line of contact.

The Karabakh Commission said Monday, october 12 that they have begun preparatory work and are ready to carry out humanitarian activity if the Azerbaijani side strictly adheres to the ceasefire and the situation along the contact line stabilizes.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages, as well as the iconic Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi. Before a humanitarian ceasefire could begin on October 10, Azerbaijan launched a new offensive and struck settlements both in Karabakh and Armenia.