Gunfire from Azerbaijan Heard in Sotk and Norabak, Residents Terrified: Ombudsman Reports Received

The Ombudsman's statement regarding the Azerbaijani aggression towards the Armenian positions in the Sotk and Norabak areas:

"This morning, on September 1, from the early hours, the armed forces of Azerbaijan have undertaken aggressive actions in the immediate vicinity of the settlements of Sotk and Norabak in the Gegharkunik region, firing from various calibers towards Armenian positions. The Azerbaijani armed forces have also used drones and mortars, thereby violating the rights to life and health of Armenian servicemen ensuring the security of the border population. The Armenian side has reported 4 fatalities and 1 injury.

The use of heavy weaponry by the Azerbaijani armed forces against civilian settlements also disrupts the fundamental rights of the peaceful population to life and health protection. The Human Rights Defender has received reports that gunfire is clearly audible in the settlements, causing residents to be terrified, living in uncertainty and under stress. Agricultural activities in Sotk have been completely halted, with harvested hay left in the fields, and people are unable to gather and transport it to the village. Additionally, agricultural machinery (the tractor) remains in the field, with the driver refraining from approaching it out of fear of becoming a target.

The Human Rights Defender once again emphasizes that the gunfire from the Azerbaijani armed forces in the immediate vicinity of Armenian settlements, including the use of heavy weapons, aims to intimidate the peaceful population and keep them in a constant state of stress and anxiety. These actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces grossly violate principles of international law and pose real threats to the rights to life and safety, as well as the protection of other fundamental rights."

It should be noted that since this morning, the situation in the Gegharkunik region has been tense, with Azerbaijani armed forces firing mortars and other firearms toward the Armenian positions in Sotk and Norabak. At this moment, the Ministry of Defense has reported four fatalities and one injury.