Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh: They continue to bomb

Despite the ceasefire, shelling of Nagorno-Karabakh continues, according to residents of the breakaway region.

– We have no electricity, no connection. I don’t know how it is with my family at the border, says “Anna”, 23, from the city of Stepanakert, to Aftonbladet.

It was during Tuesday that Azerbaijan began its “military operation” against the region. At least 32 people have died in the past 24 hours and many more have been injured, according to local authorities.

– We couldn’t sleep. We woke up all the time. It was crowded and cold in the shelter, says “Anna”, 23, whose real name is something else.

From 1 pm local time on Wednesday, a ceasefire was declared in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the agreement between Azerbaijan and official representatives of the breakaway region.

– The time is 1.30 pm and you can hear now, they continue to bomb. Nothing has changed. They fly drones over our house, says “Anna” in a video call with Aftonbladet.

In connection with the military operation, the electricity was turned off in the area. It is not possible to cook in the house. Yesterday “Anna’s” family baked bread over an open fire. It is also difficult to make phone calls.

– My brothers and my grandmother are at the border, but I don’t know if they are alive. I can’t reach them by phone.

The blockade since March

In recent months, tensions have risen between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with military buildups and mutual accusations of violations of the Russian-brokered ceasefire after the 2020 fighting in which more than 6,500 people died.

For the past few months, Azerbaijan has been blocking important transport links to and from Nagorno-Karabakh.

– What should we do? We can’t leave, no buses or cars are running, we’re out of gas.

This has led to a shortage of vital medicines, hygiene products and food in the region, according to the Red Cross. Shelves are empty in grocery stores, cars and buses have stopped running due to lack of fuel.

“Anna” from Stepanakert confirms that picture.

– Since March, we have been living under a blockade. We cannot leave Nagorno-Karabakh. It’s out of gas. We can’t call each other – everyone is out of battery because the electricity doesn’t work.

Life has continued as usual

“Anna” works as a teacher. Problems with the electricity have made it more difficult to heat the school building, but the children continue to go to school.

– They sit in warm clothes, in gloves. Sometimes we shortened the lessons to 25 minutes, just so we would have something to do. At least we create an illusion of a normal life.