ARMENIA’S CLUSTER MUNITION ROCKET ATTACK ON BARDA TAKES LIFE OF 21 CIVILIANS

Islamabad/Pakistan ; 28 Oct 2020 – Armenia is blatantly violating even the second ceasefire brokered by USA and hitting the civilians continuously. On October 27 late afternoon, armed forces of Armenia launched 300 mm “Smerch” cluster munition rocket at the residential areas of Barda region. As a result of this attack, 21 civilians died, including kids, a toddler and 60 civilians were injured.

Since September 27, 2020 the armed forces of Armenia have been targeting the civilian population, private houses and civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan in a deliberate, widespread and systematic manner. By doing so, Armenia grossly violates its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols as well as disregards the humanitarian ceasefire declared on October 10, 18 and 25.

On October 27, Armenia further escalated tensions and launched attacks in various directions, especially across the international border with Azerbaijan. Aghband village of Azerbaijan’s Zangilan region became a target of such cross-border attacks.

Armed forces of Armenia also continued to shell the Tartar city and its villages by heavy artillery throughout a day. As a result, Tartar branch of the Azerkhalcha Open Joint-Stock Company was damaged. On October 26 evening time, the Tartar region were also subjected to 300 mm “Smerch” MLRS attack.

Moreover, Armenia forces attacked “Euronews” crew and their clearly distinguishable vehicle with the Kornet anti-tank missile while they were carrying out their professional duties as journalists in Talish and Sugovushan villages of the Tartar region. Fortunately, the missile veered off the target, the crew escaped the attack with a slight damage to their vehicle.

As of October 26, in total 69 civilians, including children, women and elderly were killed, 310 civilians have been hospitalized with serious injuries. Around 2300 private houses, 90 apartment buildings and more than 400 civilian infrastructures were damaged and became unserviceable as a result of Armenia’s deliberate, widespread and systematic attacks.

Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) reported that as part of special operational emergency field visits to areas affected by Armenia’s attacks to residential areas, the Agency found five 9N235 bomblets in Goranboy region’s Topgaragoyunlu and Meshali villages on October 26. Bomblets fired by 300mm “Smerch” multi-launch rocket systems are a cluster munition banned under the international law.