Fires in Occupied Artsakh Reach the Historical-Cultural Reserve of Tigranakert and the Monastic Complex of Amaras

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Artsakh is sounding the alarm that, in the last week, fires that broke out in the eastern border zone of the Republic of Artsakh endanger around 100 historical-cultural monuments. The cultural reserve of Tigranakert and the monastic complex of Amaras have found themselves in the path of the spreading fire, along with significant monuments located around the Talish community and several other settlements.

“According to data circulating on social networks, the fires have damaged the historical mulberry orchards of the Nor Shen community. The spread of the fire has also reached the communities of Nakhichevanik and Seydishen, where churches and other buildings of cultural value are facing immediate danger.

The Republic of Azerbaijan, having de facto control over the occupied territories of the Republic of Artsakh, is obligated under international law and conventions regarding the protection of cultural heritage to ensure the preservation of cultural and natural heritage in the areas under its control, and to take urgent measures to extinguish the fires and restore the damages inflicted,” noted the Ministry.

A map of the fire spread is presented based on data from the NASA LANCE/FIRMS system.

International organizations and specialized agencies must provide a proper assessment of the situation within their mandate and take effective steps towards the preservation and restoration of Artsakh's cultural heritage,” the ministry emphasized.