The hostilities continued on Wednesday along sections of Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan in eastern Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces. Azerbaijani forces reportedly shelled several local settlements, including the resort town of Jermuk.
Jermuk, which is home to some 4,000 people, is close to one of the epicenters of the fierce fighting. Its deputy mayor, Vartan Sargsian, said the vast majority of women and children living there were evacuated in recent days. Many of the remaining civilians have to take cover in basements, he said.
“The [Azerbaijani] artillery is firing towards the town,” Sargsian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “The road leading out of the town is dangerous.”
In neighboring Syunik, more than 130 families were reportedly evacuated from the local village of Aghitu after a road leading to it was shelled by Azerbaijani forces.
“The shelling is continuing,” said the village chief, Avetis Avetisian. “The women and children have been evacuated. Only young people remain.”
The fighting also displaced residents of several border villages in Gegharkunik. Many of them fled to the regional town of Vartenis. Some spent nights inside their cars due to a lack of accommodation.
“Shells landed in the fields and shattered windows,” said one woman. “We left our cattle and fled. My husband didn’t even have time to pick our documents.”
Heavy gunfire could be heard in Vartenis. Smoke rising above hills in the nearby border area was also visible.
The provincial administration ordered on Wednesday the temporary closure of all schools in Gegharkunik.
According to the Armenian Ministry of Health, at least six civilians have been wounded by Azerbaijani shells so far.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed serious concern over “reported strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia.” He brought up “shelling in Armenia” during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.