Peacemakers' presence fails to convince Armenians of life safety in Lachin Corridor

Most residents of the city of Berdzor and neighbouring villages in the Lachin Corridor have left their homes, despite the presence of Russian peacemakers. Local residents do not feel safe as the authorities failed to clarify their living conditions in these territories.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 1, the Azerbaijani Army took control of the Lachin (the Armenian name is Kashatag) District, with the exception of the corridor that provides communication of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Some residents of Berdzor and the villages of Agavno and Sus, controlled by Russian peacemakers, have stayed there, despite the transfer of the territories to Azerbaijan.

The issue of Azerbaijanis' living in Berdzor (the Azerbaijani name is Lachin) needs legal regulation, said Musheg Alexanyan, the head of the Kashatag District Administration. There should be no problems with the civilian population, although conflicts are not excluded, he has added.

Arman, a resident of Berdzor, said that mainly employees of state structures remain in the city. It is not clear how the process of joint residence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis will be organized, he said.

The uncertainty about the status of the dwelling settlements located in the corridor has triggered the process of Armenians' exodus, Arman believes. According to his version, Sus villagers are leaving their homes because of the proximity to the new border.

Andranik Chavushyan, the head of the village of Agavno, Kashatag District, said that 58 people remained in the community. He is sure that if the population of the Armenian communities remaining within the borders of the corridor leaves the region, Stepanakert will cease to be Armenian, and a mass exodus of the population will begin from Karabakh.