Six Communities of Syunik Cut Off from Meghri Due to Road Closure, Says Jakaten Community Head

Since November 15, the gravel road connecting six communities in Syunik to Meghri has been closed for several days due to weather conditions. Ara Harutyunyan, the head of the Jakaten community, stated this in an interview with 24News on Wednesday.

In response to comments regarding promises made in November about the new road connecting these communities to Kapan being ready by the end of the year, Harutyunyan clarified that they were discussing improving the existing gravel road at that time: "That road had not been used for 55-60 years; nothing was left of the road. In the first few days, only I could use it, and only 1-2 vehicles could pass. Now the connection to Meghri is through that road, and it is somewhat passable, although it is still gravel. Now not only Jakaten but also neighboring villages have access to vehicles, and the connection is maintained."

He emphasized that even at this moment, despite the weather conditions, construction work on the new road continues. "Work is being done on both sides, and I hope the road will be completed by June-July. No ambulance or fire truck can pass through the existing road. Fortunately, we haven't had any incidents in the past months, but people can get sick, and there is a pregnant woman," said Harutyunyan.

It should be noted that after the establishment of the Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Jakaten section of the Goris-Kapan road on the night of November 14-15, six Armenian villages—Jakaten, Srashen, Nerk'in Hand, Tsav, Shikahogh, and Shishkert—found themselves effectively blockaded.