Red Cross Awaits Approval to Participate in Search Operations

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is awaiting bilateral approval regarding the search operations for the bodies of those killed and the missing in the recent Armenian-Azerbaijani armed clashes. This was stated by Zara Amatuni, head of communication programs at the ICRC office in Armenia.

“We have not yet received confirmation; we are in quite a bit of discussion. We are waiting for approvals and clarification of our organization's role in the search operations. We have offered our services, and our teams are mobilized. There needs to be a bilateral agreement so that we understand when and how we can start working and mediating. In fact, the parties must work, and we will ensure that the operations are carried out in accordance with international standards in a neutral mediating role,” Amatuni clarified.

The ICRC representative stated that the agreement and provision of security guarantees from the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan are necessary. “It is possible that the parties may reach another agreement, and operations may take place without our jurisdiction, for example, the last transfer of a captive,” she said.

Zara Amatuni mentioned that the organization is in constant contact with families of servicemen who have been killed or gone missing due to the Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes, receiving information about them. “To clarify the fact of their relative's captivity with the other side. People who cannot establish contact with their relatives have suspicions, and we are also in touch with them. We are in a state of waiting, aside from the fact that we are gathering data,” concluded the head of communication programs at the ICRC office in Armenia.

24News attempted to contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations for a comment on the subject but calls went unanswered.