#Armenia #Azerbaijan conflict update 10th October 2020

The rather limited reporting from the region tells us the Armenian population of Karabakh itself is suffering greatly under sustained bombardment. The local human rights commissioner for the region has said that more than 70,000 civilians have fled. Amnesty International has reported the use of cluster bombs, prohibited under international law.
We are also getting reports of Armenian artillery hitting urban centres in Azerbaijan near the frontline. We know even less about the pure military engagements, but it is certain that many young conscripts are dying in fierce battles over small pockets of territory.
In parallel, an intense information war is fought on television and social media. The toxic rhetoric of this conflict in which each side dehumanises the other as “fascists” and “fanatics” fuels the conflict. It seems to be aimed not just at the other side but at the few brave voices in the region who advocate for peace and dialogue, and their international partners