According to a report by Russian newspaper Kommersant, a significant Turkish force remained on Azerbaijani territory after the completion of military exercises in the summer. They have reportedly taken on a coordinating role in operations against Armenian forces in Artsakh.
The role of Turkey in the violent conflict between the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh and the invading Azerbaijani military and their Syrian mercenary allies is explained in Kommersant.
According to the report, citing military and diplomatic sources, Azerbaijan's invasion attempt was "deliberately planned and provoked by Turkey."
According to these sources, in recent months, Ankara has actively pushed Baku to launch hostilities, promising "comprehensive political, diplomatic, intelligence and military-technical support," the newspaper reported.
According to the Russian newspaper, with the completion of joint Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercises in July and August, a significant Turkish force remained on the territory of Azerbaijan and reportedly took on the role of coordinating Azerbaijan's invasion of Artsakh.
According to the report, there are 600 Turkish soldiers, 200 of whom are classified as "regular war battalions," are deployed in Azerbaijan.
The rest as follows:
- 50 trainers in Nakhichevan (autonomous Azeri enclave detached from Armenia proper by Artsakh and Armenia's Syunik province).
- 90 military advisers in the capital Baku, in charge of staff coordination.
- 120 aviation executives at Gabala base.
- 20 unmanned aircraft pilots at Daliar Airport.
- 50 trainers at Gevlach Airport.
Also:
- 50 trainers in the 4th Army Corps in Pirikeskul.
- 20 more officers at the "Heydar Aliyev" military base in Baku.
Also, according to the report, Turkey provided the Azerbaijani army with 18 light infantry armor, 10 vehicles and a multi-missile launch system, as well as a total of 34 aircraft (six planes, eight helicopters and 20 unmanned drones).
At the same time, in the period September-October, flights by Turkish transport aircraft (C-130, CN-235, A400M) to Azerbaijan, through the airspace of Georgia, have been at high levels, despite Georgia's denial.
Yesterday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during his visit to Armenia that Turkey is the source of all hostilities in the region.
Last week Russia brokered a ceasefire between Armenian forces in Artsakh and Turkish-backed Azerbaijani soldiers and Syrian militants. However, just minutes after the ceasefire was to begin, Turkish-sponsored forces broke it by targeting Armenian positions.
“We face serious security challenges in our immediate neighborhood, but we are trying to find diplomatic solutions in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. In both cases, it is crucial and important that the international community states a clear distinction between those who add fuel to the fire and those who take a constructive approach and adhere to peaceful solutions to a dispute,” he said, as reported by Greek City Times.
Dendias also emphasized that Turkey’s intervention in yet another conflict is very worrying.
“Tensions in Syria, Iraq, Cyprus and Libya have one source – Turkey. This country ignores the European Union’s calls to respect international norms,” he said.
During his visit to Yerevan yesterday, Dendias also visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Armenian Genocide Museum.
In a Tweet, Dendias would write “I met with my Armenian counterpart Mnatsakanyan. Strong Greek and Armenian ties and excellent relations reaffirmed.”
He also met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan where they “exchanged views on regional developments.”
After meeting the Armenian Prime Minister, Dendias would also meet with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian.
The Greek Foreign Minister would tweet “Historic bonds of friendship between Greek and Armenian people, and growing cooperation in focus.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russian military observers should be deployed along the line of control in Artsakh to ensure the ceasefire between Armenian forces and the Turkish-backed Azerbaijani military and Syrian jihadist mercenaries.
