Azerbaijan granted permission for the Red Cross on Friday July 14, to recommence medical evacuations from the troubled Nagorno-Karabakh region to Armenia. This decision followed protests and concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis after Baku closed the only land route connecting the enclave to Armenia.
Azerbaijan on Friday allowed the Red Cross to resume medical evacuations from its restive Nagorno-Karabakh region to Armenia, after Baku’s closure of the sole land link between the enclave and Armenia sparked protests and fears of a humanitarian crisis.
The closure came days before the leaders of the two countries were set to meet in Brussels for EU-mediated peace talks, while local separatists urged Moscow to ensure free movement through the Lachin Corridor that links the region to Armenia.
On Friday morning, thousands of protestors rallied in Nagorno-Karabakh to demand Baku reopen the road linking it to Armenia and decry crisis conditions in the region.
Demonstrators later marched towards the office of the Red Cross in Stepanakert and the headquarters of Russian peacekeepers deployed in the region, before returning to the city’s Renaissance Square, vowing permanent rallies until the corridor is reopened.
Azerbaijan has said the decision to temporarily shut the Lachin Corridor was made after the Red Cross failed to “prevent illegal actions”, such as smuggling mobile phones from Armenia to Karabakh using the organization’s medical vehicles.
On Thursday, an official in the separatist government called on Russia to ensure free movement on the Lachin Corridor.
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier announced fresh round of peace talks with Baku, under the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel.
Pashinyan also said the “illegal blockade” of the Lachin Corridor contradicts a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The UN’s top judicial body ordered Azerbaijan in February to ensure free movement along the road.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
