What is happening in Karabakh?

As a result of the terrorist acts and provocations carried out by Armenia after the Second Karabakh War (2020), which lasted 44 days and ended with the Azerbaijani army liberating all areas that were under Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan realized, after several attempts to sign a peace agreement, that it had to resort to counter-terrorism operations in Those areas where illegal armed forces are gathered.

On the morning of September 19, 2023, 7 police officers and 2 civilians became victims of the following terrorist act committed by illegal Armenian armed groups. Naturally, this action forced Azerbaijan to start anti-terrorism operations.

Therefore, Azerbaijan was obligated to implement the terms of the Tripartite Declaration (signed between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020 after the end of the war), prevent large-scale provocations committed in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and remove the illegal armed forces from Azerbaijani territory, and neutralize its military infrastructure, and return the civilian population to their homes. Therefore, Azerbaijan's decision to initiate counter-terrorism measures of a local nature in the region was aimed at ensuring its security and restoring the constitutional structure of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In particular, it should be noted that the civilian population and civilian infrastructure facilities are not targeted in anti-terrorism operations carried out by the Azerbaijani Army. This means that the Azerbaijani army does not practice a scorched earth policy and has no intention of harming civilians. The goal of counter-terrorism operations is to destroy military targets and military equipment only.

As a result of the anti-terrorist operations carried out by Azerbaijan on September 19, more than 60 combat positions were controlled. In addition, more than 20 military vehicles, more than 40 artillery units, more than 30 mortars, two anti-aircraft missile systems, and 6 radio combat stations "Martira" and other military equipment belonging to illegal units were destroyed.

Therefore, following the laws of Azerbaijan and the rules of international humanitarian law, Azerbaijan will provide medical and other necessary assistance to women, children and the elderly, as well as the physically disabled and sick, and will provide them with drinking water and food. To ensure the evacuation of the Armenian population living in Karabakh from the dangerous area, humanitarian corridors and reception points were established on the Lachin road and in other directions.

I would also like to point out an important issue Azerbaijan’s conduct of anti-terrorism operations is an internal matter of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a direct sovereign right, and these anti-terrorism measures do not contradict and are fully consistent with the principles of international law. The goal of Azerbaijan, which is forced to implement even the most serious measures necessary to ensure the safety of the people, is to disarm the illegally created Armenian military units, and cleanse the territory of invaders and separatists!

As for the agreement of representatives of the terrorist separatist regime in Khankendi to sit at the negotiating table with Azerbaijan hours after the start of anti-terrorism operations, Azerbaijan will not go to negotiations unless the so-called regime is dissolved and the Armenian armed forces lay down their weapons and adhere to Azerbaijani laws.

Accordingly, at exactly one o'clock in the afternoon on September 20, 2023, Azerbaijan suspended its military operation, as Armenian separatist terrorists in Karabakh agreed to the terms of a ceasefire proposed by Azerbaijan after suffering a series of setbacks on the battlefield at the hands of the Azerbaijani army.

The terms of the ceasefire agreement are the dissolution of the separatist forces and the withdrawal of their weapons, in addition to the withdrawal of regular Armenian forces from Karabakh.

The statement stated by the Azerbaijani presidency added that members of the Armenian community accepted Baku's proposal to hold talks on re-integrating the disputed region with Azerbaijan.

The statement explained, “The issues raised by the Azerbaijani side regarding reintegration and ensuring the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians will be discussed at a meeting between representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Yevlakh on September 21.”

For its part, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported that it had reached a ceasefire agreement with ethnic Armenian forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. She stated that the Armenian forces in the mountainous region agreed to lay down their weapons, abandon combat positions and military positions, and completely disarm, stressing that all weapons and heavy equipment are being handed over to the Azerbaijan army.

Thus, Azerbaijan has restored its constitutional regional structure, moving towards the issue of integrating Armenians within the legal legislation of the Republic.

This article was prepared by Jala Ahmadova in her personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of SEE or its members.