The Connection Between Azerbaijan's Use of Phosphorus Weapons and Fires in Armenia Has Not Been Studied, Ministry of Environment

The Armenian authorities have not investigated the causal relationship between the fires that broke out near the country's borders and the use of phosphorus weapons by Azerbaijan. This was stated by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia in response to a written inquiry from Sputnik Armenia.

The agency confirmed that Azerbaijani armed forces used internationally banned cluster munitions, white phosphorus, or thermitic materials during military operations in Artsakh in 2020.

"The Hydro-Meteorological and Monitoring Center analyzed satellite images from the 'Sentinel-2A' during the specified period concerning the burned forest areas at the borders of Armenia, and as a result of the analysis, burned areas were identified in the Syunik and Tavush regions, with a total burned area of 537 hectares. The presented data pertains only to the evaluation of burned areas, and the causal relationship of the fires with the use of phosphorus munitions has not been separately studied," the ministry noted.

At the same time, the ministry points out that Azerbaijan's actions have caused irreparable damage to the environment, resulting in large-scale forest fires and persistent pollution of air, soil, and water.