Аrtsakh village wiped out with homes, streets, history: public figure

PanARMENIAN.Net - The village of Sargsashen in the Martuni region of Artsakh has become the latest victim of systematic vandalism carried out by Azerbaijan, according to Hovik Avanesov, Ombudsman for the Cultural Heritage of the Armenian Highlands.

“Sargsashen has been nearly completely erased—its houses, streets, and historical layers obliterated,” Avanesov wrote on Facebook.

He explained that this is part of a deliberate and systematic state policy conducted by the so-called “Republic of Azerbaijan” in the temporarily occupied territories of Artsakh. With the use of heavy construction and military equipment, the extent of destruction in depopulated settlements has been expanding daily since the 2020 war launched by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and mercenary forces.

“The goal of this policy is not only to eliminate the physical Armenian presence but also to erase every trace of Armenian material, cultural, and historical heritage—remaking Artsakh into a ‘liberated’ territory in line with the Azerbaijani narrative.”

Satellite imagery shows that Sargsashen, under Azerbaijani control since 2020, has faced escalating destruction from 2021 to 2024. Images from 2025 reveal the village's complete and systematic eradication.

“This is one example of a broader state strategy of vandalism in Artsakh. Dozens of villages and towns have been wholly or partially erased, aiming for the total elimination of cultural, historical, and civilizational heritage,” he warned.

Other affected areas include the heroic village of Karin Tak in the Shushi region and Mokhrenes, Mariamadzor, Tsamdzor, and Taghut-Taghot in the Hadrut region, along with Arakel and its Dzoragyugh neighborhood. These places are not only being physically destroyed but also erased as cultural memory bearers.

“There is no doubt anymore—what’s happening in Artsakh is one of the largest acts of cultural genocide in the 21st century, and in human history. It’s not just about human casualties or war damage. It is a calculated, systematic destruction of culture and civilization, in violation of international law, and it demands a strong global response,” Avanesov concluded.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has also highlighted the destruction of Armenian religious and cultural heritage in Artsakh. In its report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. government and Congress take several steps, including imposing targeted sanctions on Azerbaijan and allowing independent international observers—such as UN representatives—to access Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas to inspect and document cultural and religious heritage. It also called for hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.