Foreign media
Azerbaijan successfully continues to press its offensive against Armenian-backed separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku rightly considers these forces to be the so-called “NRK” backed by Armenia.
Famous journalist Seth Frantzman wrote this in an article, entitled “What Azerbaijan wants from the conflict with Armenia”, which was published by The Jerusalem Post, an influential English-language Israeli newspaper.
According to the author, the countries have clashed since the 1990s but in recent years the clashes became more pronounced.
“Azerbaijan has been demanding that progress be made on negotiations with Armenia. On September 27, Azerbaijan said that Armenian forces committed large-scale provocations and Azerbaijan responded. This has now expanded to include artillery, drone strikes and the destruction of vehicles and the killing of dozens of fighters. The reality on the ground indicates that Azerbaijan has made progress, taking control of villages and key points along a mountain range,” Frantzman said.
He stressed that in conversations with Azerbaijani experts on the ground and also close following of Armenian reports, the unfolding events illustrate that the fog of war hangs over the progress on the ground.
“Azerbaijan has been clear that its soldiers are shelling and pushing an offensive along the line of contact, including a length of the frontline that stretches for more than 250 km. This is an area of around 13,000 sq.km. To be specific, the sites that are under fire include the Vardenis-Agdere highway in the north to the mountain peak of Murov,” he said.
“Azerbaijani sources say that the army decided to launch a major counter-offensive on Sunday along the entire front. This included using tanks, UAVs, artillery, and TOS rocket launchers. Azerbaijan is a pioneering army when it comes to using UAVs tactically and strategically. It has used them to suppress enemy anti-aircraft units and videos shown on Turkish TV show numerous strikes on these units,” the journalist said.
He noted that Azerbaijan has declared the frontline area, around 230 km. from the capital of Baku, a war zone.
Frantzman continued: “It has stopped flights for the next several days and is calling up soldiers. Tens of thousands in Azerbaijan are prepared to be called up. Azerbaijan says it struck 12 anti-aircraft units on Sunday. Armenian sources claimed to have downed numerous drones and struck two dozen vehicles as well as hitting helicopters. Azerbaijan states that Armenia has illegally occupied this area since 1991 and that it consists of 20% of Azerbaijan territory.”
The journalist said Azerbaijan strenuously emphasizes that Nagorno-Karabakh, where the so-called “NKR” is based, is not a “disputed area,” but rather the “territory of Azerbaijan. ”
“There are also seven Azerbaijani regions around it, “which Armenia was not going to give up all these years peacefully. Therefore the war is not about Armenian territory, but Baku getting back what is rightfully its own.”
According to him, Baku states that it has been patient and that it has a larger army with a qualitative advantage. “Its close strategic relations with Israel is one reason for this, as well as cash flows from energy, including oil pipelines and plans for more gas pipelines. This links Azerbaijan to Turkey and Europe and the international markets.”
The author stressed that for many years Azerbaijan worked with the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the conflict. “Azerbaijan has targeted Armenia ammunition depots according to reports. Baku also says that during the first day of the fighting, Armenian fighters shelled the villages of “Qapanli of Terter district, Chiragli and Orta Garavend of Aghdam district, Alkhanli and Shukurbeyli of Fizuli district and Jojuq Merjanli of Jabrayil district, using large-caliber weapons, mortar launchers and artillery.”
According to him, Azerbaijan points out that it has international law on its side and argues that UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993 demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
“In July Azerbaijan and Armenia also clashed in the area of Tovuz and Goranboy. That four-day conflict and fighting that took place in 2016 was a prelude to the current round. “Full responsibility for the present situation falls on the political-military leadership of Armenia,” Baku says,” the journalist said.
“Azerbaijan believes its armed forces – having been modernized over the last decades – can achieve victory over the forces of Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan prides itself on making its own policy independent of these larger regional players. Having waited decades with no movement or progress via dialogue, Baku thinks this effort is worth the risk,” Frantzman summed up.