Syunik Province, Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Over the course of my 8-week stay in Armenia, I traveled for a few days to the Syunik Province, on Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan, where villagers are still caught in the crossfire between both nations over a conflict that has lasted over two decades. Photos were published for Eurasianet.org.

Andranik, 55, watches over his grandson playing in the tub in their village home in Nerkin Hand.

Andranik, 55, watches over his grandson playing in the tub in their village home in Nerkin Hand.

Only about 20 families remain in the shrinking border village of Nerkin Hand, down from 113 people in 2001. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Only about 20 families remain in the shrinking border village of Nerkin Hand, down from 113 people in 2001. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Hasmik, 67, cuts up watermelon in her home in the village of Nerkin Hand, on the border with Azerbaijan.

Hasmik, 67, cuts up watermelon in her home in the village of Nerkin Hand, on the border with Azerbaijan.

Residents in the village of Tsav, also near the border with Azerbaijan, are finding work with the military posts, in tourism, or in construction. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Residents in the village of Tsav, also near the border with Azerbaijan, are finding work with the military posts, in tourism, or in construction. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Basuta Guesthouse, opened in 2020, is located just across from an Armenian military post in Tsav and welcomes visitors from around the country and outside to an often tension-filled region, breaking stereotypes about the province. (Photo by Sandra S

Basuta Guesthouse, opened in 2020, is located just across from an Armenian military post in Tsav and welcomes visitors from around the country and outside to an often tension-filled region, breaking stereotypes about the province. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Margarit, 45, and her family opened Basuta Guesthouse in 2020, welcoming visitors to an often tension-filled region, breaking stereotypes about the province. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)

Margarit, 45, and her family opened Basuta Guesthouse in 2020, welcoming visitors to an often tension-filled region, breaking stereotypes about the province. (Photo by Sandra Sadek)