US on Developments in the Lachin Corridor

The closure of the Lachin Corridor has severe humanitarian consequences and hinders the peace process, stated a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department.

“We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor. The way forward is through negotiations,” wrote Ned Price on Twitter.

The spokesperson also addressed the issue during a press briefing at the State Department on Tuesday, highlighting his tweet: “We have clarified that the closure of the Lachin Corridor has serious humanitarian repercussions. It is pushing back the peace process. We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor. The path forward is through negotiations.”

It should be noted that on December 12, the Information Headquarters of Artsakh announced that a group of Azerbaijanis had blocked the only road connecting Armenia to Artsakh since the morning. Azerbaijanis who closed the corridor near Shushi call themselves independent environmentalists and have set up tents right in the middle of the road. The road is also closed to ambulances.

Due to the blockage of the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia by Azerbaijan, the communities of Great Shen, Old Shen, Yeghdzahogh, and Lisagor in the Shushi region are effectively besieged. Reports from Artsakh indicate that because of the road closure, the supply of food, particularly bread and flour, as well as other essential goods from Armenia to these communities has been disrupted.

Last evening, the Information Headquarters of Artsakh reported that Azerbaijan has also halted the gas supply to Artsakh.