Urges immediate block on U.S. security aid to Azerbaijan; $250 million in emergency aid to Artsakh

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America renewed calls for zeroing out military aid to Azerbaijan and sending $250 million in U.S. assistance to Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) in the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s latest attack on Artsakh – it’s first major ceasefire violation following the disastrous Russia-brokered November 9th agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

On December 11, Azerbaijani forces attacked Artsakh’s southern Hadrut villages of Hin Tagher and Khtsabert, injuring three Armenian soldiers and raising questions about the future status and security of these Armenian villages and the nearby 4th-century Katarovank Monastery. An Armenian civilian was also reportedly captured by Azerbaijani forces.

The incident comes just a day after Azerbaijani President Aliyev claimed Armenia’s capital Yerevan and its Sevan and the Sunik regions as historic Azerbaijani territory. It was also timed to coincide with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ visit to Baku, held on Saturday, December 12th, during which President Aliyev issued a mocking rebuke of ongoing international efforts to secure a durable Artsakh peace.

The ANCA has issued a national call to action – anca.org/alert – urging U.S. leaders to condemn the most recent Azerbaijani attacks, stop U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, and help Armenia/Artsakh stand strong against future attacks through a $250 million emergency assistance program.

The grassroots letter to elected officials notes that “the intentions of Azerbaijan – and its enabler Turkey –are abundantly clear: To continue their aggression against Armenia and Artsakh with the ultimate goal of the destruction of the first Christian nation.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian echoed the call to action in live Facebook and Instagram videos, sharing the broader list of immediate steps the organization is pursuing to stop Aliyev and Erdogan’s genocidal plans, including:

• Delivering $250 million in humanitarian & development aid to Artsakh
• Securing the release of all Armenian prisoners of war and captives
• Recognizing Artsakh independence
• Banning arms sales to Turkey and Azerbaijan
• Stopping the military and security aid program to Baku
• Enforcing Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act
• Imposing Magnitsky sanctions on Erdogan and Aliyev
• Investigating evidence of Azerbaijani war crimes
• Punishing Turkish Arms Export Control law violations
• Removing barriers to U.S.-Artsakh travel and contacts