Wildfires threaten over 100 cultural heritage sites in Artsakh

Major wildfires have swept through the eastern regions of Azerbaijani-occupied Artsakh in recent days, endangering more than 100 cultural and historical monuments. Among the most threatened sites are the Tigranakert Historical and Cultural Reserve and the Amaras Monastery.

The fires have also reached areas near the village of Talish and other key settlements, putting monuments of considerable historical value at immediate risk., the Artsakh Ministry of Culture reported.

Social media reports suggest that historic mulberry orchards in the Nor Shen community have already suffered damage. The flames have also spread to the villages of Nakhichevanik and Seydishen, home to churches and other culturally significant structures.

Given Azerbaijan’s de facto control over these territories, it bears legal obligations under international law and cultural heritage protection conventions to safeguard the cultural and natural heritage located in areas under its control, take urgent measures to extinguish the wildfires and repair the damage.

The Ministry of Culture has also released a fire spread map based on NASA’s LANCE/FIRMS satellite monitoring system, identifying the most severely affected areas. It calls on international organizations and specialized institutions to take practical steps to protect and restore Artsakh’s endangered cultural heritage.