Foreign Ministry of Artsakh's Statement on April War

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh has released a statement in connection with the 3rd anniversary of the April War of 2016. Below is the statement:

“Exactly three years ago, on the night of April 1-2, the Azerbaijani side, grossly violating the ceasefire regime established by the agreement on the complete cessation of fire and military operations signed on May 12, 1994, initiated military actions along the entire border with Artsakh. Azerbaijani armed forces shelled not only the frontline positions of the Artsakh Defense Army but also peaceful settlements, leading to casualties, including among civilians. Only four days later, on April 5, 2016, after suffering significant losses, Azerbaijan was forced to request a cessation of military operations through Russian mediation. The scale and intensity of the offensive actions, the amount of military equipment and personnel used, as well as statements made by representatives of the Azerbaijani authorities, indicate that the events of April were nothing but a pre-planned military aggression. Azerbaijan aimed to seize the entire territory of Artsakh, attempting to resolve the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict through the use of force, which, however, failed due to the decisive actions of the Artsakh Defense Army. The operations of the Azerbaijani armed forces were accompanied by gross violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes. The Artsakh Foreign Ministry has been systematically working to inform the international community, including specialized agencies and courts, about the committed atrocities. Believing that such crimes have no statute of limitations, the Republic of Artsakh will continue to strive to hold those responsible accountable.

Three years have passed since the end of military operations, yet the need for international political and diplomatic measures to deter Azerbaijan's aggressive intentions remains relevant, aimed at ensuring the full implementation of the agreements of May 12, 1994, and February 6, 1995. It is also necessary to establish international mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire regime, especially through the implementation of agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg following the April war. The Republic of Artsakh reaffirms that in the event of Azerbaijan's attempts to resolve the conflict through the use of force, all necessary self-defense measures will be undertaken in accordance with the UN Charter to protect the right of the citizens of Artsakh to live freely and securely in their homeland.”