Metatesk: Euronews Serbia has published an article discussing the fire at an ammunition depot near Nizami village in Azerbaijan's Goranboy district and the subsequent information surrounding the incident, APA reports. The article, titled 'Why does Baku claim that a hybrid information attack is being carried out against Azerbaijan over the fire at the ammunition depot?', examines statements by Azerbaijani state institutions and claims circulated by Nexta, a Belarusian opposition media platform based in Poland.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the article highlights that the fire, accompanied by explosions, occurred on the night of September 1-2. There were no casualties or damage to nearby facilities. A joint statement by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that relevant agency employees were promptly deployed to manage the situation. For safety, around 5,000 residents from Nizami and Khoylu villages were evacuated and returned home later that evening.
The article underscores that Azerbaijani authorities have not revealed the cause of the fire as investigations continue. Nonetheless, Nexta published content suggesting potential sabotage without awaiting official findings. Euronews Serbia notes that the Poland-based platform, without evidence, linked the incident to Baku-Moscow relations.
Euronews Serbia reports that Nexta claimed, without official backing, that tensions existed between Baku and Moscow, and referenced the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office placing three Russian citizens on an international wanted list. Nexta further speculated on Azerbaijan's alleged clandestine weapon supplies to Ukraine, citing no credible sources.
A contradiction in Nexta's narrative is identified; while acknowledging the undetermined fire cause, the channel linked the incident to Azerbaijan-Russia relations. Euronews Serbia emphasizes this inconsistency in Nexta's approach.
The article also presents Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency's (MEDIA) stance, criticizing Nexta's claims as based on subjective assumptions rather than evidence. MEDIA views the fire's portrayal in a political context as part of a hybrid information campaign against Azerbaijan. The Agency contends that such narratives are part of an organized disinformation campaign targeting Azerbaijan's international standing.
MEDIA argues that spreading such assumptions and allegations constitutes information manipulation. The Agency notes that similar narratives have appeared in Western media, suggesting an ongoing information attack on Azerbaijan's reputation.