Iraq turns down offer to send Yazidis to Nagorno-Karabakh

The Iraqi government has rejected an offer from Armenia to send fleeing Yazidis to the occupied Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that doing so would be a breach of Azerbaijani territory.

Armenia's Yazidi community leader Serj Sargyan wrote a letter to the Iraqi government, requesting that Yazidis fleeing from violence by rebels from the self-styled Islamic State be resettled in the area, adding that Armenian officials in the occupied region were prepared to accept them as guests.

However, a statement was quickly released by Azerbaijan saying that such a move would be in breach of international law as Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as their territory and therefore no one can enter without their permission.

Azerbaijan also warned against sending Yazidis to an area where clashes are still strife, Dunya Bulteni reported.

Responding to Azerbaijan, Iraq said that while other countries are free to offer a place of refuge for Iraqi citizens, the situation in the north of the country is improving and that very soon the Iraqi government will be able to protect its own citizens.

Bakudaily.Az