10-y/o worries for dad, mothers search for baby food, farmers in crosshairs – life in Nagorno Karabakh village

STEPANAKERT, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS. Residents of the small village of Nor Ghazanchi in Nagorno Karabakh are trying to return to normal life after the latest Azerbaijani attack on June 28.

The June 28 attack, when Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked artillery and drone strike on Nagorno Karabakh positions, happened near the village. Many children, including newborns, were in the village when the attack occurred, according to Mayor Ruslan Arustamyan.

“No one left the village after the attack,” Nor Ghazanchi Mayor Ruslan Arustamyan told ARMENPRESS. “During the attack we evacuated women and children to the nearby relatively safer area, and a pregnant woman was taken to Stepanakert later because there was a need for medical superivision.”

The blockade of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan has led to shortages of essential products, and Nor Ghazanchi is no exception. The only grocery store in the village is closed because nothing is available. It gets opened only in the mornings to sell bread.

“We have some food reserves, but we will have serious problems if the situation of especially the past ten days continues,” the mayor warned.

Most of the arable lands are located on the line of contact and farmers don’t use them due to safety concerns.

“Last year, farmers working in the fields came under Azerbaijani gunfire, that’s why people avoid working there now,” Arustamyan added, noting that they have been able to plant some crops in areas which are relatively far from the frontline, and farmers will receive diesel fuel from the authorities for harvest work.

Some 14 greenhouses, opened with support of the International Committee of the Red Cross, are functioning in the village. Nonetheless, the harvest would be insufficient as winter reserve.

Stella Hayrapetyan, an elderly woman living in the village, has two sons and four grandchildren. Mrs. Hayrapetyan told ARMENPRESS that she was concerned over the danger posed by the nearby Azerbaijani positions to peaceful civilians.

“There are many children, newborns, young mothers and pregnant women in the village. The children were very scared during the latest explosions. It’s good that we managed to take shelter in time. But we don’t even know what’s going to happen to us while running for cover. We love our village very much, all we want is for our children to live in peace, with dignity, and thrive on their ancestors’ land. Is that too much to want?” Hayrapetyan said.

Baby food and diapers can rarely be found in Stepanakert.

Sona Aslanyan, a 24-year-old mother of two, says she’s concerned over safety.

“My four-year-old wakes up from Azerbaijani gunfire and says ‘Mom, they are shooting, wake up let’s go’. But all our big dreams are connected with our village. This is where we were born and raised, where we got married. All my dreams are connected with this place, but the enemy doesn’t let my dreams come true,” Aslanyan said.

Fuel shortages have even led to suspension of internal transport, and the villagers are having a hard time in reaching Stepanakert for medication or other essentials, which can rarely be found.

Temur Arustamyan, a 10-year-old living in Nor Ghazanchi, told ARMENPRESS that he wants to become a math teacher in the local school. He’s even willing to turn down all tempting career offers from Stepanakert in the future, that’s how much he is attached to his birthplace.

“I only want peace, no fighting, so that people don’t die,” he said.

Asked about his emotions during the Azerbaijani gunfire, the 10-year-old said: “I worry for my Dad, who protects our village.”