Baku – On November 20, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan conducted a joint press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to disclose new findings related to illegal military activities by Armenia. This briefing, as reported by APA, was attended by the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, military attachés, and representatives of local and international media.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the briefing featured speeches by Aykhan Hajizada, Head of the Press Service Department, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Anar Eyvazov, Head of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Defense. The speakers highlighted Azerbaijan’s long-standing concerns regarding the presence of Armenian armed forces in Azerbaijani territories and the associated landmine threat. It was reported that more than 10,000 anti-personnel and 3,000 anti-tank mines, along with about 12,000 unexploded devices, were cleared by Azerbaijan’s engineer-sapper units post the 44-day Patriotic War.

The briefing underscored Armenia’s deployment of a significant amount of military equipment and ammunition in the region, contrary to international law and the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, without notifying international organizations, including the UN and OSCE. Despite Azerbaijan’s calls to cease these violations, the indifference of the international community was cited as a factor increasing regional tensions.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Armenian forces were engaged in illegal activities like the re-modification and transfer of ammunition to foreign countries. Post-conflict, Armenia continued transferring weapons, equipment, and newly produced landmines to Azerbaijani territories until a border checkpoint was established on the Lachin road. The briefing also highlighted that civilian objects, aircraft safety, and reconstruction activities in the region were targeted.

The press briefing also included the presentation of images and videos demonstrating the extent of militarization in the region. These visual materials showcased the training of civilians and military personnel with workshop-modified drones, and the targeting of civilian objects in Azerbaijan. Participants were shown samples of modified weapons, drones, 2021-produced ammunitions, and landmines confiscated following counter-terrorism measures.