The Artsakh government reports that Azerbaijani authorities are preventing work to repair a pipeline that supplies gas to Artsakh from Armenia.

An explosion damaged a section of the pipeline passing through Azerbaijani-controlled territory. The pipeline was damaged on March 8 in as yet unspecified circumstances.

The Artsakh government says negotiations are underway with Azerbaijani authorities to repair the damaged section.

No clarification has been forthcoming as to the cause of the explosion that halted gas supplies to Artsakh residents.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan speculated that Azerbaijani forces may have deliberately blown up the pipeline as part of its agenda to force Armenians to leave the area.