Reading

1. | PW. Read the article and find out the unknown words and use them in your speech while giving your opinion on the article.

My country is at war with Armenia. I want liberty and justice for my people. I do it because I hear the call of the spirit of our ancestors and like many other Azerbaijani young people I want to revenge on the enemy for our murdered innocent people. Every time I remember Khojaly tragedy I feel the goose bumps on my skin rise. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of this war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno- Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

But starting from the early morning of April 2, 2016, Armenia intensified its military activity in the conflict area, which had been accompanied with numerous acts of violation of international humanitarian law tantamount (equal) to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Substantial damages were inflicted upon private and public property, including civilian critical infrastructure. 232 private houses, 99 electricity poles, 3 electrical substations, kilometers of water and gas pipelines were destroyed. Guided missile attacks were directed on social facilities, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Instruction had to be suspended in 28 of the damaged schools. One mosque was hit during prayer with high-caliber artillery shells. As a result of those deliberate attacks, a large number of civilians have been deprived of their basic rights to life, health, property, education, communication, and practicing their religion.

Azerbaijan took appropriate measures to counter Armenia’s use of force against its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and to ensure the safety of civilian population and property within its internationally recognized borders.