September Operations and Contemporary Armenian Untruths

(MENAFN- AzerNews) Fatima Latifova Read more

Over the past four years, the month of September has acquired special significance for the Azerbaijani people. It marks the period when the Azerbaijani army launched counteroffensives and anti-terrorist operations to liberate Karabakh from 30 years of Armenian occupation.

In less than two months, Azerbaijani soldiers showed exceptional courage and bravery and liberated Karabakh from captivity. Moreover, Aghdam, Lachin and Kelbajar were liberated as a result of an extremely professionally organized anti-terrorist operation without a single shot being fired. Despite this, Armenia rejected peace proposals and instead brought mercenaries, militants, mines, weapons and equipment into the country, further fueling the separatist movement.

The anti-terrorist operation that Azerbaijan conducted in September 2023 to secure its sovereignty ended a two-century-long campaign of aggression in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan not only reaffirmed its sovereignty but also eliminated elements that posed a threat to regional security.

More than 10,000 Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian military formations were present in Karabakh, although according to the trilateral statement, the Armenian armed forces in the region were to be disarmed. On September 19 last year, these Armenian armed forces carried out a series of large-scale military provocations and terrorist attacks. In response, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist operations to restore constitutional order in the region. In just 23 hours and 43 minutes, the Armenian separatists were forced to raise the white flag. As a result, the Armenian armed forces and illegal separatist groups withdrew from their combat positions and military posts and were completely disarmed. The illegal junta regime in Karabakh was overthrown, the main leaders of the separatists were arrested, and Azerbaijan fully restored its state sovereignty.

It is worth noting that the so-called “Republic of Artsakh” was established on September 2, 1991 within the borders of the former so-called Nagorno-Karabakh AR and the adjacent Shahumyan (Khankendi) district. Later, Armenia occupied seven districts of Azerbaijan (Agdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin and Kelbajar) and annexed them to this so-called republic. The regime, fully supported by Armenia, used the surrounding districts as a buffer zone or security belt. In September 2023, following Azerbaijan’s internal anti-terrorist operations, the illegal regime that had existed in these territories for 32 years was crushed.

After the operations, the majority of Armenians living illegally in Karabakh voluntarily resettled to Armenia. Although Azerbaijan proposed various projects, plans and recommendations for reintegration, Armenians refused and followed the orders of the separatist leaders. Subsequently, Russian peacekeepers also left the country, reflecting a renewed sense of trust and understanding between Russia and Azerbaijan.

Although Armenia had shown active participation in the peace talks until May this year, the situation changed when certain actors offered small financial incentives. This led to Armenia again engaging in provocations on the border with Azerbaijan and delaying the signing of a peace agreement.

The meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Almaty in May can be seen as the last active step towards peace. Although Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan publicly stressed the importance of peace following the meeting, behind the scenes he continued to support provocations.

The reason was clear. When the meeting in Almaty helped improve relations and the Russian peacekeepers left Karabakh, certain elements seeking to gain influence in the South Caucasus warned the Pashinyan government. As a result, the intervals between provocations on the border with Azerbaijan became shorter, which was accompanied by attempts to involve Armenia in renewed conflicts.

Once again, Nikol Pashinyan tried to attract the attention of the international community by claiming that Armenia’s constitution does not contain any territorial claims against Azerbaijan and dismissed such allegations as unfounded. However, this was just a play on words by the Armenian leader and once again demonstrated his lack of commitment to lasting peace and stability in the region.

It is no coincidence that Armenia’s statements and military actions in recent months reflect only a rhetorical commitment to peace. In reality, Armenia has no intention of accepting a peace agreement and continues to act according to Western dictates, thus destabilizing the region. Armenia’s militarization policies and diplomatic maneuvers could further hinder the establishment of peace and stability in the South Caucasus and potentially lead to increased tensions and instability in the near future.

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