Khnatsakh, Nagorno-Karabakh

Khnatsakh (Խնածախ) or Khanyurdu (Xanyurdu) is a village in the Khojaly District of Azerbaijan. Prior to the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive, it was de facto controlled by the Republic of Artsakh as a village in its Askeran Province. The village has an ethnic Armenian-majority population, and also had an Armenian majority in 1989. The village is located to the immediate north of the city of Stepanakert.

History
The modern village was founded in 1770 by settlers from the village of Khnatsakh in the Syunik region of Armenia. During the Soviet period, the village was part of the Askeran District of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.

Historical heritage sites
Historical heritage sites in and around the village include the 12th/13th-century village of Kghategh (Քղատեղ), a 13th-century khachkar, the 17th/18th-century shrine of Parur (Պարուր), an 18th/19th-century cemetery, and the 19th-century church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Սուրբ Աստվածածին, lit. 'Holy Mother of God').

Economy and culture
The population is mainly engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as in different state institutions. As of 2015, the village has a municipal building, a house of culture, a secondary school, and a medical centre.

Demographics
The village had 592 inhabitants in 2005, and 684 inhabitants in 2015.