We Have Settlements Under Direct Targeting by Azerbaijan: Gegharkunik Governor

The recovery work for 162 buildings damaged by Azerbaijan's aggression in the Gegharkunik region has been completed by more than 50%, with the remaining work ongoing. This was stated by Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

According to him, there has been a certain state of anxiety among the residents of border villages after the September aggression; some have left their homes, but as recovery works started, most of them returned and joined the efforts. “After assessing the needs together with the Vardenis enlarged community, we started work on almost all damaged houses. However, progress is slow due to a lack of construction workers. Nevertheless, the recovery of an additional 40 houses will be completed in the near future,” said the governor.

He noted that there are four houses that have been completely destroyed and collapsed, which will require a long time for recovery. The governor's office has allocated funds to those residents to rent houses for the time being.

Speaking about the current border situation, Sargsyan emphasized that there are still settlements that are under direct targeting by Azerbaijan. He stated that this fact has also been recorded by international organizations, ambassadors, and EU observers. “EU observers have also conducted patrolling along the border, covering 12 settlement areas. They have also noted that schools and kindergartens are under direct targeting by the Azerbaijani armed forces and have reported this to their leadership,” Karen Sargsyan added.