Tavush Residents Hear Azerbaijani Conversations Even in Their Homes

The home of Vagif Shakaryan, a resident of the village of Taghavardi in the Martuni region of Artsakh, is located about 400 meters from enemy positions. He states that conversations of Azerbaijanis can be heard in their home. This has become a common phenomenon for the residents of Taghavardi, just like the periodic sound of gunfire.

Azerbaijanis occupying most of Taghavardi employ various methods to create an atmosphere of fear in the village; however, the villagers do not intend to leave their homes, Vagif Shakaryan noted in a conversation with “Pastinfo.” “In the part of the village that remains under our control, there are one or two houses where no one lives. And it’s not just the adults. Everyone is with their children; no one has sent their children elsewhere. My son also lives in the village with his kids,” Vagif Shakaryan says.

It is perhaps difficult to take children to kindergarten. The village kindergarten, like one of the school buildings, remains in the area occupied by Azerbaijanis. The residents of Taghavardi used to take their children to the kindergarten in the Red Market, but after January 10, 2022, when Azerbaijanis opened fire towards the area near the kindergarten, parents are wary of taking their children there.

The crimes of Azerbaijanis are numerous and varied; livestock theft has also become a common occurrence. Vagif Shakaryan states that whoever has livestock in the village must take the animals to pasture and bring them back, so they do not accidentally pass through areas occupied by Azerbaijan. “There have been many cases where livestock has been taken and not returned. My neighbor's two cows also crossed over to their side and were taken. That neighbor’s son is also missing,” Vagif Shakaryan adds.

The small portion of Taghavardi's arable land that remains on the Armenian side is also under the enemy’s targeting. This, however, does not prevent the villagers from cultivating their lands. The children show bravery comparable to that of the adults. While the Azerbaijanis who have occupied Armenian settlements continuously try to disrupt the lives of the locals, the young villagers are enjoying the abundant snowfall.

“The children don’t care what’s happening. They are outside now, sledding. It’s only just started snowing; how could they not sled?” Vagif Shakaryan concludes the conversation.