Armenian Population Attacked by Terrorists Linked to ISIS, Ombudsman Claims

Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan has reported that armed attacks against the Armenian population coming from Azerbaijani territory involve mercenaries and members of terrorist groups. According to sources, these individuals are largely thousands of mercenaries transported to Azerbaijan, including those with connections to ISIS. It has been noted that they were sent by Turkey from Libya and northern Syria.

This is evidently supported by the evidence collected through independent investigations by the Armenian Human Rights Defender. The evidence primarily consists of objective proof, including photographs and videos. This situation is occurring within the territory of the Council of Europe.

I once again urgently draw the international community's attention to this extremely dangerous and criminal phenomenon. If immediate action is not taken to prevent it, the humanitarian disaster that has already threatened the civilian population endangers the entire region. This poses a threat to security, peace, and the entire human rights system. This was outlined in the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 42/9 adopted on September 26, 2019, as a fundamental demand.

The collected data will be sent to international partners in all necessary formats tomorrow. The Armenian Human Rights Defender continues to operate in a 24-hour emergency work regime, closely cooperating with the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh.

It is worth noting that on September 27, Azerbaijani forces launched a large-scale attack in Artsakh, targeting peaceful civilians. As of October 7, the Artsakh defense forces have destroyed 16 helicopters, 17 airplanes, 126 unmanned aerial vehicles, 379 pieces of armored vehicles (mainly tanks), 82 vehicles, 10 armored personnel carriers, one TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, four Smerch, and one Uragan multiple launch rocket systems.

The adversary has over 3,454 fatalities and more than 5,270 injuries. Preliminary data indicates 291 casualties on the Armenian side. Azerbaijani armed forces have also targeted military and civilian infrastructure in Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia, resulting in the deaths of two civilians in Gegharkunik, and injuries to 80 civilians in Artsakh, with 19 fatalities and damage to approximately 2,700 properties and infrastructure.

Journalists from both foreign and local media have been injured as a result of Azerbaijani shelling. A state of war was declared in Armenia and Artsakh on September 27.