Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan has accused Azerbaijan of deliberately burning forests in Artsakh, mainly by using banned white phosphorus weapons.

Beglaryan says 1,815 hectares of forested area have already been burned, and that fires continue in various areas throughout the country.

The official describes the burning a “war crime” that poses an environmental catastrophe for Artsakh and a health risk for the population.

Beglaryan adds that Azerbaijan is also targeting civilians, who have left their homes in towns and villages targeted by Azerbaijani shelling, for the relative safety of the forests.

The official calls on the international community to condemn Azerbaijan for such blatant violations of accepted norms.