Baku: The Azerbaijani Army initiated a counter-offensive operation, known as the “Iron Fist,” on September 27, 2020, as a reaction to the large-scale provocations of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline. The ensuing 44-day conflict, often referred to as the second Karabakh war, concluded with Azerbaijan reclaiming its territories after nearly three decades of Armenian occupation, thereby restoring its territorial integrity. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan provided insights into this development during an interview with the Italian La Repubblica newspaper.
According to Trend News Agency, President Aliyev emphasized that the primary goal of Azerbaijan was to restore its territorial integrity, a commitment that the nation had upheld for almost 30 years through negotiations. However, with provocations from the Armenian leadership, including military actions, Azerbaijan opted for a decisive response on the battlefield. Aliyev also addressed the neutrality of the Minsk Group co-chairs and stressed th
e importance of mediators maintaining impartiality in the conflict resolution process.
The President acknowledged Turkey’s significant support at the onset of the conflict, highlighting the political and moral backing from Turkey as an influential factor in the situation. This support underscored Azerbaijan’s stance on restoring territorial integrity and fighting on its own land, rather than being the aggressor.
Addressing allegations of jihadists’ presence, Aliyev refuted such claims, pointing out that no substantial evidence had been presented to support these assertions. Instead, he highlighted the presence of foreign fighters on the Armenian side, suggesting a political bias against Azerbaijan in the portrayal of these events.
When questioned on managing a possible victory in territories predominantly populated by Armenians, Aliyev discussed the historical context of ethnic composition in the region. He assured that Armenians residing in Nagorno-Karabakh would continue to live with security and dignity
, promising an improved quality of life under Azerbaijani governance.
On the matter of broken ceasefires, Aliyev placed the blame on Armenia, citing specific instances where Armenia violated ceasefire agreements, often targeting civilian areas in Azerbaijan. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to defending its people and territories while accusing Armenia of exploiting ceasefires to further aggression.
Responding to accusations of potential genocide, Aliyev dismissed these claims as baseless, highlighting Azerbaijan’s multi-ethnic society. He criticized Armenia’s portrayal of victimhood and reiterated Azerbaijan’s responsibility to ensure the safety of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Finally, regarding Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership with Italy, Aliyev expressed confidence that the conflict would not impact bilateral relations. He highlighted the strong ties and mutual interests between the two nations, particularly in the energy sector, and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness for peace, contingent on Ar
menia’s commitment to withdraw from occupied territories.