Armenia Requests Help from the European Union; UN: 100,000 People Have Fled to Armenia

The office of Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, announced on Saturday, October 8, that Armenia has requested assistance from the European Union for Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. According to reports, approximately 100,000 Armenians from this region have fled to Armenia so far. According to Ms. Meloni's statement, temporary shelters and medical supplies are among the items requested by Armenia from the EU. The statement from the Italian Prime Minister's office adds that Rome is working to create stability in the region. The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan's territory, but Armenians make up the majority of its population. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the establishment of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Armenians took control of this region and formed the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. This self-proclaimed republic recently came under the control of Azerbaijani forces following a military attack by Azerbaijan, resulting in tens of thousands of Armenians from the region fleeing en masse to Armenia. The head of the UN Refugee Agency has estimated the number of Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia to be over 100,000 as of Friday. Earlier, Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, who visited Armenia and Azerbaijan, stated that she has heard 'very concerning reports of violence against Armenian civilians.' Azerbaijan's use of force to control Nagorno-Karabakh has raised concerns among many in Armenia that Baku, with Turkey's support, may use force to create a land corridor from Armenian territory to connect with the autonomous region of Nakhchivan, potentially starting another war. American lawmakers have expressed serious concern over Azerbaijan's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. In Europe, Canada, and the United States, calls for sanctions against Baku have been made. Armenian officials have described what has happened in Nagorno-Karabakh as 'ethnic cleansing' by Azerbaijan, an accusation that Baku denies. Azerbaijani officials have also stated that they guarantee the security of Armenians in the region. Azerbaijan: 'We do not want the emigration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.' Fears of ethnic cleansing; over 47,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have sought refuge in Armenia. Azerbaijani forces have arrested the former leader of the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey insists on constructing the Zangezur corridor; Erdogan says it is an important step for peace and prosperity in the region. The Armenian Prime Minister: 'Ethnic cleansing' is ongoing in Nagorno-Karabakh. An explosion in Nagorno-Karabakh left 20 dead and dozens injured. A senior American official: Baku should protect the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev's claim in a meeting with Erdogan: Part of Armenia should have been part of Azerbaijan.