Armenian Security Council: 207 people killed and missing as a result of Azerbaijani aggression
YEREVAN, September 19. /ARKA/. Some 207 Armenian citizens, both military personnel and civilians have been killed and gone missing as a result of the large-scale Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia on September 13-14 with the use of large-caliber weapons, artillery, missile systems and drones, the Armenian Security Council said today following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
It said 3 civilians have been killed and the whereabouts of 2 other civilians are unknown, 293 servicemen have been wounded, 3 civilians and 20 servicemen have been taken captives.
There is evidence of cases of torture, mutilation, dismemberment of captured or wounded Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijanis, it said .
It is noted that Azerbaijani armed forces shelled 36 settlements including the towns of Goris, Sisian, Kapan, Jermuk, Vardenis, the villages Tegh and Geghamasar damaging 192 houses, 3 hotels, 2 schools, 1 medical center, 1 banquet hall and 4 cowsheds, which were completely or partially burnt.
Also, 7 energy infrastructures, 5 water infrastructures, 3 gas pipelines, 1 bridge, 2 roads and 1 street were damaged and two ambulances and 4 private cars were hit.
"Azerbaijani Armed Forces entered the sovereign territory of Armenia in several directions. Thanks to the persistent and heroic resistance of the Armenian Armed Forces and the involvement of the international community, the Azerbaijani attack was stopped, but the military and political situation remains tense," the Armenian government said in a statement.
'Armenia will defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity by all available means and Azerbaijani troops must withdraw from Armenia's occupied territories,' the statement says.
"Azerbaijan's aggressive policy is aimed at undermining efforts to establish peace in the region, open regional communications, comprehensively resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, " the statement said.
"We call on the international community to keep constant pressure on Azerbaijan to end the occupation of Armenia's sovereign territories and withdraw its troops, and we welcome all those countries and organizations that have come forward with a clear position. At the same time, we reaffirm Armenia's readiness to fulfill its obligations as a responsible member of the international community," the statement stresses. -0-
