Human Rights Watch: Attacks targeting civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law

All armed forces fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh must at all times distinguish between combatants and civilians under international humanitarian law, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Wednesday. All sides should respect the absolute ban against targeting civilians or carrying out attacks that indiscriminately harm civilians.

“All sides should remember that attacks targeting civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “This is true even if they are carried out in reprisal for indiscriminate attacks by the adversary.”

There are numerous reports of military and civilian casualties, but these reports could not be independently verified, the HRW said. 

"Azerbaijan reports 10 civilian deaths and 30 civilians injured, but has not released information about military casualties. Nagorno-Karabakh de-facto defense officials report at least 80 military personnel and 5 civilians dead, and about 30 civilians injured," it said.

In the early morning of September 27, Azerbaijan launched a massive air and artillery attack on the Artsakh military positions and numerous civilian settlements and infrastructure in the country, including capital Stepanakert. Artsakh civilians were urged to take shelter.

The death toll of civilians has today reached 7 in Artsakh, as Azerbaijani forces continue to attack civilian settlements.