Artsakh Attacked by Azerbaijan on Sept. 27 Azerbaijan Targets Civilians and Churches

The 19th century Holy Savior (Ghazanchetsots) Cathedral in Shushi was damaged in an
Azeri attack on October 8. The Cathedral is the seat of the Armenian Diocese of Artsakh.

Staff Report

The Republic of Artsakh was attacked on September 27 by regular forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The self-defense forces of Artsakh repelled the Azeri forces in a series of clashes which lasted from September 27-October 9. Armenians from throughout the world have assisted in the self-defense of the country. Many consider the Azeri aggression as a continuation of the Pan-Turkist policies of Ottoman Turkey which led to the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Turkey has assisted Azerbaijan in the current conflict by providing military aid and planning. They have also hired Syrian Arab mercenaries to fight in the war.

The Republic of Artsakh declared its independence on September 2, 1991, in the midst of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Artsakh is historically part of Armenia, constituting the eastern region of Armenia. Many ancient Christian churches and monasteries dot the landscape of Artsakh, including the monasteries of Amaras and Tadivank. Artsakh has been continuously inhabited by Armenians until modern times. The city of Shushi was an important cultural center for Armenians.

A view of the interior of the Holy Savior Cathedral after the
October 8 attack.

At the time of publication, a humanitarian cease-fire between the sides was mediated by Russia as the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Moscow. The ceasefire was to take effect on October 10.

Please contact your local representatives asking them to take action and to stop the violence against the people of Artsakh.

Additional information about the history of Artsakh can be found at:

Office of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic in Washington, DC-http://www.nkrusa.org/ and the Office of the President of Artsakh-https://www.president.am/en/Artsakh-nkr/.