On June 3, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received representatives of the Armenians of Artsakh.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the challenges facing forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh, issues related to their spiritual care and social needs, as well as the protection of the legitimate rights of the Artsakh Armenian population and the preservation of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage, the press service of Holy Etchmiadzin reported.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Artsakh, placing the entire territory under massive artillery bombardment. As a result, one day later, on September 20, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted a proposal from the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission for a ceasefire, agreeing to Baku’s conditions, including the disarmament of the Defense Army and the dissolution of the Republic of Artsakh. The attack claimed 223 lives, including 20 civilians, six of whom were minors. Beginning on September 24, the forced displacement of Artsakh residents started, with more than 100,000 people forcibly displaced to Armenia. According to some reports, around 20 Armenians remained in Artsakh, of whom 11 later returned to Armenia, one died, and one was detained.