STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Local authorities of the Askeran region of Nagorno-Karabakh have warned of imminent “disastrous and irreversible” consequences for the locals if the total blockade continues.

Askeran authorities reported on July 27 that the blockade has led to an increased number of stillbirths and miscarriages.

Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) suspended public transportation on July 25 because of severe fuel shortages resulting from the Azerbaijani blockade. Residents in Askeran, just like elsewhere across Nagorno-Karabakh, are unable to travel to Stepanakert city for healthcare or other purposes.

Askeran governor Hamlet Apresyan told ARMENPRESS that some of the residents resort to walking to Stepanakert in the heat.

“Askeran is completely paralyzed after public transport was suspended,” Apresyan told ARMENPRESS. “People’s right to freedom of movement has also been violated. These days, people often reach Stepanakert on foot for highly essential purposes. This situation can cause irreversible consequences if it continues.”

Farmers are also rationing fuel to be able to deliver their products to the capital, but the savings are about to end, Apresyan warned. “These days there are problems in all sectors in Artsakh, and the most important problem is related to the health of our people.”

“Just like elsewhere in the republic, we also don’t have any essential goods left, no sugar, no cooking oil, no baby food, no candy, and this list goes on and on. In terms of medication, it’s a matter of days for the reserves to be depleted,” the head of the Askeran administration said.

Stepanakert city healthcare authorities are providing support to local hospitals by dispatching medical personnel amid an increasing number of 911 calls.

 “The stress, malnutrition and uncertainty are causing irreversible consequences. Pregnant women have to go through indescribable difficulties to reach either the provincial capital or Stepanakert, which often leads to miscarriage or stillbirth. Our healthcare authorities have recently recorded a very high increase of such cases,” Apresyan said.

Furthermore, farmers have been unable to harvest grain in some parts because they’ve been targeted by Azerbaijani forces, and because of the shortages of diesel fuel.

Deprived of all basic necessities, residents of Askeran have been holding a rally in the territory of the Stepanakert airport since July 15, protesting against the “criminal indifference” displayed by the international community, Apresyan said.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.