Assyrian Church of the East condemns unjustified and unwarranted violence and aggression by Azerbaijan against Artsakh

UNITED STATES – In a press statement released on 7 October, the Syriac Assyrian Church of the East has condemned in no uncertain words the unjust and unwarranted violence and aggression by Azerbaijan against the ethnic Armenians of the Republic of Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Statement of the Hierarchs of the Assyrian Church of the East in the United States on the Conflict in Artsakh

The present hostilities and military aggression in the autonomous Republic of Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh) has caused much alarm and concern for the suffering of the innocent civilian Armenian population of that region. The recent military aggression of Azerbaijan against the ethnic Armenians who have historically populated this area violates the moral standards of humanity, international law, and the right of a people to self-determination. The oversight of ceasing and correcting such an action ought to be carried out by the United Nations Organization without delay, in an objective manner, and without the interference of outside entities and interest groups. The appropriate international agencies must call upon the aggressors to immediately halt any and all offensive military operations, with out delay. In addition, it is incumbent upon the international community at large to condemn such an act of aggression, and to make concrete attempts at mediating an immediate cease-fire and the promotion of dialogue between the two republics. Violence and military action cannot, and should not, be accepted in our modern age as a way of resolving disputes between countries. Rather, both sides must engage in a sincere and unbiased dialogue, aided by the UN and the international community.

It is an undeniable fact of history that the Assyrians and Armenians have shared millennia of a common history, and have lived side-by-side for countless centuries. In fact, Assyrians have been living in the Republic of Armenia since at least the beginning of the 19^th century, as our present-day churches and Assyrian community in that country demonstrate. What’s more, our two Churches – the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Apostolic Church – enjoy very ancient Christian traditions and foundations that go back to the very blessed apostles of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, our Christian obligation compels us to speak out against violence and aggression by Armenia’s neighboring state, particularly when they are unjustified and unwarranted. As Christians, we are always called by Christ our Lord to peacemakers, for such shall be called ‘children of God’ (cf. Mt. 5:9). By the same token, defense of the fatherland, and especially of the innocent and helpless civilian population is the right of a nation. Therefore, we pray earnestly for all the displaced, and the suffering civilian population of Artsakh, especially those who have lost their life in this conflict. May the Lord protect them, and guide them back safely to their homes in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility…

Issued on the 7th day of October, in the year of Our Lord 2020

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