Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry (MoD) has issued a threatening statement against Armenia following recent developments, such as joint U.S.-Armenia drills, arms deals with France, EU military aid, and alleged provocations by Armenia near the border.
Azerbaijan’s MoD claimed that the recent joint U.S.-Armenia military exercises in Armenia, Armenia’s arms deals with France, and the European Union’s (EU) €10 million in military aid to Armenia allegedly “encourage Armenia to carry out provocations and indicate its preparation for another war against Azerbaijan.”
Azerbaijan threatened Armenia with an attack, describing any potential attack as “self-defense.” Azerbaijan’s MoD alleged, “If these provocative actions against Azerbaijan are not stopped, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will take necessary retaliatory measures using all means at their disposal for the purposes of self-defense. We declare that the military-political leadership of Armenia and its supporters will bear entire responsibility for the escalation of the situation in the region.”
In response, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry (MFA) stated: “The recent statement issued by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry regarding alleged provocative actions by the Armenian Army on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border is unclear. Attempts to involve Armenia in escalating rhetoric are unacceptable. The Armenian government remains committed to the peace agenda and will not deviate from this strategy. Regarding the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces and the acquisition of weapons and equipment, we have repeatedly stated that having a combat-ready army is the sovereign right of any country, and Armenia does not have any other goal in the field of defense and security beyond the protection of its internationally recognized territory. In the process of army reforms, Armenia operates exclusively within the framework of international law.”
Earlier today, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry issued a statement alleging that “Armenia committed provocations using heavy weapons” and a “drone” near Armenia’s Tavush border with Azerbaijan. The statement referred to an earlier claim from today that “on July 25, at around 10:55 am, a drone belonging to the Armenian Armed Forces attempted to conduct reconnaissance flights over the Azerbaijan Army positions” near Armenia’s Tavush border with Azerbaijan.
