For the third day in a row, part of the Armenian population is still on the streets. Anti-government demonstrators mobilized on Friday, September 22, in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, to protest against the government’s management of the crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Azerbaijani army launched an attack on Tuesday against the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians and already the scene of a war in 2020 which allowed Baku to reconquer large portions of territory.
After only twenty-four hours of fighting, the Karabakh authorities, overwhelmed by the firepower of Baku and without help from Yerevan, laid down their arms on Wednesday and negotiations began on Thursday, under the mediation of Moscow, for reintegration in breakaway territory Azerbaijan, where more than 100,000 people are stranded.
Nikol Pashinian’s resignation demanded
Opposition parties accuse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of having made too many concessions to Baku and are calling for his resignation. Opposition leaders also announced their intention to launch proceedings to impeach Nikol Pashinian in Parliament.
Small groups of protesters blocked streets in Yerevan on Friday morning, threatening to disrupt Pashinian’s cabinet meeting scheduled for later in the day. The police arrested the opponent Andranik Tevanian, one of the organizers of the demonstration.
Protesters also called on the government to take measures to help the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and evacuate them to Armenia.
The Armenian prime minister on Friday reported preparations to welcome some 40,000 refugees, recalling that his main goal was “to ensure that our compatriots have the opportunity to live in their homes without fear and in safety.” “There is hope that the humanitarian situation can improve” in Nagorno-Karabakh, he said, adding that the situation “is evolving rapidly.”
Guaranteeing the rights of Armenians
The official Azerbaijani news agency Azertag reported that Baku had sent 40 tons of humanitarian aid to the region and that the country’s President, Ilham Aliyev, had promised to guarantee the rights of Armenians living in the region. enclave.
In Yerevan, dozens of protesters were arrested Wednesday and Thursday outside Mr. Pashinian’s offices following riots in which demonstrators threw bottles and stones in an attempt to force their way into the building. Riot police warned they would take “special measures” if the violence continued.
The capitulation of the Armenian separatists increased pressure on the Armenian prime minister, accused of not having helped them. However, the latter urged Armenians on Thursday to take “the path” to peace, even if it is “not easy”. He warned Thursday evening that his government “will act firmly but in accordance with the law” against the rioters.
