We traveled from Stepanakert to Askeran. A young couple was my guide. We met a long time ago due to work. Then, we got closer. The war made us closer…
There was a vacant lot on the left side of the road, which now has turned into a construction site. As a result of the 44-day war, dormitories are being constructed for the Russian peacekeepers and their families.
We are in Askeran. Although it is not a working day, the head of the regional administration is in his office.
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Five of Askeran’s villages- Avetaranots, Aknaghbyur, Madatashen, Moshkhmhat, and Sghnakh- were captured by Azerbaijan during the war. Ughtasar and Armenakavan were handed over in what the head of the regional administration, Sasun Barseghyan, considered the ‘tragic agreement.’ The situation is not calm now; the border is only 700 meters away. There isn’t any gunfire now, but Sasun Barseghyan does not exclude the possibility of it happening at any point, and it’s not clear what they are supposed to do in that case. Right now, they are working on creating the militia. They consider that the main way to defend themselves. The borders are not clear, and the Azeris often attempt to move the stakes that mark the border forward. Sometimes, they are successful. Recently, they were able to advance in a strategic position near Khnapat. 605 families lived in the seven villages conceded to Azerbaijan, consisting of 2,623 people.
Sasun Barseghyan said that the most difficult issue to resolve is the loans. People took out large loans to create irrigation systems, purchase cows, and build smart farms. The socioeconomic situation of displaced people is also an issue. “A woman who has seven children came and asked for a washing machine because her hands were injured from washing all those clothes by hand. We don’t have a budget. I try calling different places, but no one has anything. Try to live peacefully…” he said.
Huge construction projects have begun in the settlements of Askeran where there are vacant living spaces so that displaced people can have somewhere to live. Around 400 families consisting of 1,500 people have already been provided temporary housing. Around 40 percent of them come from regions that were conceded.
According to Sasun Barseghyan, the only way to come out of this situation is to unite. Otherwise, we will continue to lose everything. Sasun Barseghyan lost his father and brother during the first Artsakh War. The results of the 44-day war were unexpected and shocking. He also has many questions, but he said that there is no one who can provide those answers yet. He also does not understand the purpose behind awarding so many medals in a country that lost…
Sasun’s brother died in 1991 in Gharanchinar. He did not even see his first-born. His nephew, Edmon, was born four months after his brother died. His nephew was given his brother’s name. Sasun’s father died in 1992. Now, Sasun said that it’s very difficult, but one thing is clear for him: ‘I won’t leave our graves behind. How can I?”
Nelly Grigoryan
