REPORT FROM AZERBAIJANI GAZAKH REGION’S VILLAGES BORDERING ON ARMENIA
Azeri Press Agency
[ 11 Sep 2007 16:29 ]
Armenian armed forces fire on the houses and roads in Gazakh region
Mezem village almost every day, the village residents told APA’s
local bureau. The people said they are obliged to live in parts of
the houses to protect themselves from bullets. Mezem is one of the
villages in the west of Azerbaijan which borders on Armenia. About 40
families are living in the village located in 100 meters from the posts
of Armenian armed forces. The people were obliged to set up barricades
from sacks of stone and sand to protect themselves from bullets. Bullet
holes on the doors prove that the village is often fired by Armenians.
As there is very little distance between Armenian posts and the village
Armenians do not only fire on the village. The village residents say
that the Armenians knowing the Azeri language abuse them and demand
them to leave the lands. The residents’ response to these insults
result in Armenians’ firing on the village by machine, submachine
guns and snipers. Resident of Mezem, 70-year old Asli Nasibova,
whose house is opposite to Armenian post told APA’s correspondent
that they are afraid of the enemy’s firing every moment.
"When Armenians start firing we have to find a shelter. The bullets
damaged the first floor of the house. We have constructed the house,
but have not yet used its upper part. Once Armenians killed our cattle.
We will die but not leave our houses. Despite of all difficulties,
no one has left the village. Armenians insult mullahs and Koran every
time they hear Koran read at funerals. The people of bordering villages
Mezem, Gushchu Ayrim and Ferehli support one another.
Mezem is Azerbaijan’s fence. If we leave here, Armenians will damage
Mezem," he said.
The other village resident who is living near Armenian post whose
child Ahmed Nasibov was National Hero said that Armenians are coward.
"Armenians became wild sometimes and began to fire.
They stop firing after response fire of our army. They fire at the
village mostly with machine and submachine guns. They also fire on
our cattle. Sometimes representatives of international organizations
visit the village. They get acquainted with our condition.
But the Armenians did not fire the village when they were here. But
they started to fire as soon as they left the village," he said.
The residents said that Armenians started to fire on Mezem village
fewer within last month. It is linked with their gathering grain.
"They will start firing and arsons as soon as they finish gathering
corps. It is repeated every year," he said.
Armenians set fire to Gazakh’s border villages with Armenia from
early September. Armenians started their arsons mostly in the occupied
Gizilhajili and Askipara villages of Gazakh. Mazam resident Gahraman
Yusifov said that scale of arsons committed in Gizilhajili is great.
"Armenians set fire to Gizilhajili and pastures after they finished
planting. The animals fled to our village from the fire," he said.
The residents said that the fire covered the occupied mined territories
and 25 mines blasted interruptedly.
If the fire covers the territories controlled by Azerbaijani Armed
Forces, the soldiers prevent it.