A United Nations mission arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday, Azerbaijan mentioned, after nearly all the ethnic-Armenian inhabitants fled since Baku recaptured the breakaway enclave.
An Azerbaijani presidency spokesman informed AFP {that a} “UN mission arrived in Karabakh on Sunday morning” — primarily to evaluate humanitarian wants.
It marks the primary time in about 30 years that the worldwide physique has gained entry to the area.
Armenian separatists, who had managed the area for 3 a long time, agreed to disarm, dissolve their authorities and reintegrate with Baku following a one-day Azerbaijani offensive final week.
The tip of Karabakh’s separatist bid dealt a heavy blow to a centuries-old dream by Armenians of reuniting what they are saying are their ancestral lands, divided amongst regional powers because the Center Ages.
Practically all of Karabakh’s estimated 120,000 residents fled the territory over the next days, sparking a refugee disaster.
On Sunday, Armenia noticed a nationwide day of prayer for the area.
Learn additionally: Tens of 1000’s of ethnic Armenians rush to flee Nagorno-Karabakh
Bells tolled in church buildings throughout the nation, and the pinnacle of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, lead a service within the nation’s principal cathedral Echmiadzin, near the capital Yerevan.
Clergymen in ornate robes sang historical chants at an open-air altar outdoors the imposing cathedral in-built a pale pink limestone.
Yerevan has accused Baku of “ethnic cleaning” — an allegation that Baku rejected — calling on Armenians to not go away their properties and reintegrate with Azerbaijan the place their rights can be revered.
Armenia, a rustic of two.eight million, faces a significant problem housing the sudden inflow of refugees.
Authorities mentioned 35,000 have been now in momentary lodging.
The Worldwide Federation of Crimson Cross and Crimson Crescent Societies on Friday introduced an emergency enchantment for 20 million Swiss Francs ($22 million) to assist these fleeing.
Azerbaijan is now holding “re-integration” talks with separatist leaders whereas on the similar time detained some senior figures from its former authorities and army command.