Age-old Christian Community Decimated

Christian Solidarity International (CSI), a human rights group, recently spotlighted the ravages of Azerbaijan’s military aggression towards Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the resultant forced migration of Armenians from their ancestral lands, culminating in the obliteration of one of the world’s time-honored Christian communities.

The conflict saw Azerbaijan enforcing a stringent blockade around Nagorno-Karabakh for a period of nine months, cutting off the sole connecting route to the Republic of Armenia. This siege escalated on September 19, when a military onslaught was initiated by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to the tragic deaths of numerous Armenians, while leaving thousands more homeless. A ceasefire was reluctantly accepted by the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities on Azerbaijan’s stipulations on the following day, which encompassed the disbandment of the Defense Army. To date, 47,715 uprooted individuals have vacated Nagorno-Karabakh, finding refuge in Armenia.

CSI pointed out the grievous loss, stating that the conflict led to the annihilation of one of the world’s ancient Christian communities, putting many of the oldest churches worldwide at risk of desecration or total destruction.

Reaffirming their enduring support for the Armenian populace—acknowledged as the inaugural Christian nation—CSI has expedited relief efforts to southern Armenia, accommodating the inflow of 120,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. The path towards resettlement appears arduous and protracted, hence CSI is actively collaborating with local entities in Armenia to address the burgeoning needs.

Moreover, talks are underway to reinstate the Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Centre within Armenia, as disclosed by the organization. The center, with over two decades of service in Karabakh, has been a sanctuary for individuals bearing disabilities or war-inflicted wounds from the conflicts spanning 1988-1994, 2016, and 2020, offering state-of-the-art care.

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1. One of world’s oldest Christian communities has been destroyed
2. One of the world’s oldest Christian communities has been destroyed