White phosphorus munitions found in liberated Jabrayil

According to the appeal received from the State Border Service (SBS), starting July 3, 2021, the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) began operations to clean the former ammunition depot in the Jabrayil region, Report informs, citing ANAMA.

During the clean-up operations carried out by the Agency’s specialists, 157 unexploded ordnance (UXO), 1,185 cartridges of various calibers, 5 kg explosives (TNT), and 17 white phosphorus 82 mm mortar shells were found.

“The use of white phosphorus ammunition by the Armenian armed forces against civilians and settlements was confirmed by the facts both during the April 2016 battles and during the 44-day Patriotic War. The 17 white phosphorus mortar shells proved once again prove Armenia’s hostility to the civilian population.

Notably, under international humanitarian law, the firing of white phosphorous weapons on civilians or civilian objects, forests, or other arable lands is prohibited by Protocol III on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons of UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons adopted 1980.

By deliberately targeting Azerbaijani civilian targets and using high-explosive white phosphorus, Armenia is grossly violating its 1949 Geneva Conventions, particularly its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law enshrined in the Fourth Geneva Convention.

White phosphorus ignites spontaneously when in contact with air, and as a liquid, it can easily adhere to any surface and cause a fire. The burning temperature exceeds 1200 ° C, which leads to deep, late-healing wounds. “Smoke from the combustion product irritates the respiratory tract, and ingestion of this smoke indoors can lead to severe poisoning and death,” the Agency said.