BAKU: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, publicly condemned an attack by Armenian armed forces on the city of Barda, highlighting the humanitarian impact and calling for international attention. Aliyeva shared her remarks on her official Instagram account, emphasizing the violation of international law and extending condolences to the victims’ families.

According to Trend News Agency, the Azerbaijani Army initiated a counter-offensive operation named “Iron Fist” on September 27, 2020, in response to provocations by Armenian forces. The conflict, known as the second Karabakh war, spanned 44 days and concluded with Azerbaijan regaining territories previously occupied by Armenia, restoring the nation’s territorial integrity.

Aliyeva’s statement addressed the missile attack on Barda, which resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of four individuals, among them a seven-year-old girl, and the injury of fourteen others, including four children. The attack was charac
terized by the use of Smerch cluster missiles, which Aliyeva described as a gross violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.

Aliyeva questioned the international community’s silence in the face of these events and expressed a determination to liberate Azerbaijani lands from what she referred to as “aggressors.” She concluded her post with a message of solidarity and hope for her country, invoking a blessing for Azerbaijan.