Old rivals Azerbaijan and Armenia have reignited old disputes, with mounting tensions and deadly attacks that killed 23 people. Karabakh, the source of this conflict, is a region that according to international borders belongs to Azerbaijan but is Armenian controlled, reported ‘Eurasian Times.’
Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of Azerbaijan blamed Armenia for the attacks.
“Armenia’s new attack against Azerbaijan is an act of aggression and use of force. It is yet another provocation of Armenia since the Tovuz incident. Political-military leadership of Armenia bears full responsibility,” he said in a tweet with photos of injured people and destroyed property.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned Armenia for the attack.
Read more: Armenia moving S-300 missile systems to border areas, warns Azerbaijan
He called for Armenia to give up control of Azerbaijani territories. “Turkey continues to stand with the friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan with all its facilities and heart,” said Erdogan.
Pakistan stands with and supports Azerbaijan
Apart from Turkey, Pakistan has also lent its support for Azerbaijan. “Pakistan stands with the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and supports its right of self-defense,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement said.
“We support Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh, which is in line with the several unanimously adopted UN Security Council resolutions,” it added.
Another nation that is supporting Azerbaijan besides Turkey and Pakistan, is Israel. Israel has a longstanding relationship with Azerbaijan but has very tense ties with Pakistan and Turkey.
Seth J. Frantzman of The Jerusalem Post has said about Turley, “Turkey and Iran compete to be the most anti-Israel, largely because of Turkey’s current ruling party, which is riding a wave of nationalism and militarism designed to distract from economic problems at home.”
While Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and has no diplomatic ties with it.
Read more: Russian, Armenian leaders talk clashes with Azerbaijan
Armenia on the other hand is backed by Russia, a long-time close ally, and has provided the state with ballistic missiles as well as new SU-30SM fighter jets. One of which Armenia has accused Turkey of downing Tuesday.
STATEMENT concerning the recent attacks by #Armenia against #Azerbaijan along the frontline.#KarabakhisAzerbaijan #StopArmenianAggression #NagornoKarabakh pic.twitter.com/JKOpupS2Dd
— Back to Garabagh 🇦🇿 (@Back2Garabagh) September 29, 2020
Additionally, Armenia is part of CSTO – Collective Security Treaty Organization akin to NATO which is a Russia-led military alliance of seven former Soviet states and Azerbaijan is not a part of the group.
Another country that could extend some support to Armenia is India. Recently, India secured a $40 million defense deal with Armenia for supplying four SWATHI weapon locating radars. India may thus support Armenia.
However, analysts believe that while Armenia is bidding to diversify its military procurements as most of its defense systems are of Russian origin, it might lose Moscow’s support in doing so.
Indian and Turkish ties deteriorating
“The Indian-Armenian tandem is indeed a reaction to the Azerbaijan-Pakistan-Turkey strategic triangle. For several years, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkey have coordinated their positions on a number of vitally important issues like economic cooperation and supporting each other’s territorial integrity,” Fuad Shahbazov, a Baku-based Senior Research Analyst wrote.
“India and Turkey have also been on seeing a deterioration in its ties with Ankara supporting Islamabad in the Kashmir dispute. Turkey has been openly criticizing India, at the behest of Pakistan, for its move for revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir last year,” reported the Eurasian times.
GVS News Desk