Tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh appear to have slightly eased on Monday as supplies resume through two key routes after an agreement between Armenian separatists and the Azerbaijan government, according to media reports.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that Monday's operation involved two trucks that simultaneously delivered goods via both the Lachin Corridor and the Aghdam road thanks to persistent diplomatic efforts.
"The ICRC has been in talks over the last few weeks with decision-makers about options to get aid into the area via different routes, including both the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam road," the ICRC said in a media release.
In recent weeks, Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of fueling a humanitarian crisis in the mountainous region—internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan—by restricting the road that links the region to Armenia. Azerbaijan has denied these allegations.
"Humanitarian supplies are finally underway to Karabakh Armenians. Welcome the simultaneous passage of humanitarian cargo via Lachin & Agdam," EU Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter.
Humanitarian supplies are finally underway to Karabakh Armenians.
Welcome the simultaneous passage of humanitarian cargo via Lachin & Agdam.
This must be now regularised.
Also essential to launch talks btw Baku & KA on their rights & security, which EU stands ready to support
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) September 18, 2023
Azerbaijan claimed that the separatists had initially refused its proposal to reopen the Lachin Corridor simultaneously with the Aghdam road, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh to the rest of Azerbaijan.
"The simultaneous passage of Red Cross vehicles was ensured through both the Lachin Corridor and the Aghdam road on Monday," said Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijan's president, on Twitter.
"The whole international community once again witnessed that there was no so-called blockade, but rather a deliberate self-blockade, weaponization, and politicization of humanitarian issues," he added.
Separatist authorities confirmed that 23 tonnes of wheat flour along with medical supplies had been delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh.
ICRC Statement below:
As a result of persistent diplomatic efforts to find a humanitarian consensus between the decision-makers, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday is bringing shipments of wheat flour and essential medical items to people in need via the Lachin Corridor and the Aghdam road.
"We are extremely relieved that many people reliant on humanitarian aid will finally receive much needed support in the coming days," said Ariane Bauer, ICRC's regional director for Europe and Central Asia. "Health structures are lacking medical supplies. People are queuing hours for bread. They urgently need sustained relief through regular humanitarian shipments. This consensus has allowed our teams to resume this life-saving work."
The ICRC has been in talks over the last weeks with decision-makers about options to get aid into the area via different routes, including both the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam road. Monday's operation included two trucks which simultaneously delivered goods via both the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam road.
I hope that this consensus allows for our strictly humanitarian convoys to resume not just today but in the weeks to come so that we can regularly get aid to those who need it. Our aim is to reach those most in need of assistance in line with our fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence: Ariane Bauer, ICRC's regional director for Europe and Central Asia
• The ICRC has been present in the South Caucasus since 1992 and is the only international organization operating across the Lachin corridor. • From December 2022 to July 2023, the ICRC delivered 77 trucks of assistance, including 900 metric tonnes of medical supplies for health care facilities. We also distributed around 10,000 food and hygiene parcels to people in need. • More than 800 people in need of medical care have been evacuated across the Lachin Corridor by ICRC teams.
