UN chief concerned over targeting of populated areas in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the continuing escalation of violence in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, reminding all sides of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, the statement issued by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reads.

The Secretary-General “is gravely concerned by reports of the extension of hostilities, including the targeting of populated areas”.

The Secretary-General also underlined that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged to immediately cease all hostilities. He appealed to all relevant regional and international actors to actively exercise their influence to achieve an urgent end to the fighting and return to negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Also on Monday, at a regular press briefing, Mr. Dujarric provided a humanitarian update on Nagorno Karabakh, noting that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remains deeply concerned about the ongoing hostilities along the line of contact in the conflict zone.