BAKU: President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan shared insights during his televised interview with Turkish A Haber TV channel, underscoring the military advances and humanitarian concerns in the ongoing conflict in the Karabakh region. The interview delved into a range of topics including the effectiveness of Azerbaijan’s military strategy, the role of international actors, and the long-term goals for the region.
According to Trend News Agency, President Aliyev discussed the significant military gains made by Azerbaijani forces in the recent 44-day conflict dubbed the “Iron Fist” operation, which aimed to reclaim territories occupied by Armenia for nearly three decades. He highlighted the strategic use of advanced drone technology acquired from Turkey, which played a pivotal role in altering the dynamics on the battlefield, and emphasized the destruction of Armenian military assets estimated to be worth around $2 billion.
The president expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life, both civilian and military,
attributing the greatest tragedy to the human costs of the conflict. He strongly criticized the continued attacks on Azerbaijani civilians, describing them as acts of desperation by Armenian forces faced with battlefield defeats. Aliyev also accused Armenia of violating ceasefire agreements to regroup and mount new offensives, a tactic he deemed recurrent and indicative of the challenges in negotiating peace.
In the geopolitical context, Aliyev praised the unequivocal support from Turkey and Pakistan, dismissing rumors of foreign military involvement on the Azerbaijani side as misinformation spread by Armenia to internationalize the conflict. He stressed that Azerbaijan’s operations were confined strictly within its internationally recognized borders and rebuffed any intention of expanding the military actions into Armenian territory.
Addressing future negotiations, President Aliyev insisted on the inclusion of Turkey in any discussions related to the Karabakh issue, pointing out Turkey’s growing internatio
nal stature and its critical role in regional stability. He reflected on the historical ties and the shared strategic interests between Azerbaijan and Turkey, describing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a brother and a global leader whose support has been indispensable.
As the conversation concluded, President Aliyev reaffirmed his commitment to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution that would allow displaced communities to return to their ancestral homes. He envisioned a future where regional stability and cooperation would pave the way for prosperity and security for all involved nations.