Azerbaijan Defense Minister Reveals President Aliyev's Humanitarian Decision During 44-Day War

Azerbaijan Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov recently disclosed that during the 44-day war, Azerbaijan forces had encircled a significant number of Armenian soldiers, but President Ilham Aliyev intervened to prevent their destruction. According to Hasanov, this decision was a humanitarian gesture that contributed to Armenia's rapid surrender.

“During the Patriotic War, in the Agdam direction, a large group of Armenian armed forces was surrounded—according to our estimates, about 15-18 thousand personnel. To complete this operation, we directed artillery and missile systems towards the entrenched army units and had already begun measures for their neutralization,” Hasanov explained. He emphasized that this overwhelming military pressure was a key factor in Armenia's quick decision to sign the act of surrender.

Why This Matters: However, in a notable act of restraint, President Aliyev decided against annihilating the encircled troops. “But President Aliyev showed humanity and did not allow the encircled Armenian military to be destroyed,” Hasanov stated. This decision underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to humanitarian principles even amidst intense conflict.

The encircled Armenian contingent was supposed to leave Azerbaijan territory immediately as per the tripartite agreement. Hasanov noted, “However, they did not do this; on the contrary, they resorted to provocations and began to strengthen their positions and carried out sabotage. All this created the basis for the anti-terrorist operation.” Despite the initial decision to avoid complete destruction, the continued provocations by Armenian forces necessitated further actions to ensure regional stability and security.

The 44-day war, also known as the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, was marked by intense battles between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and territorial changes, with Azerbaijan reclaiming substantial portions of the region.

Hasanov's revelation sheds light on a critical moment in the conflict where military might could have led to a massacre, but a deliberate choice was made to avert further bloodshed. This decision likely accelerated the end of hostilities, forcing Armenia to sign the ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia on November 9, 2020.

While the humanitarian restraint showcased by President Aliyev was notable, the post-war period has been fraught with tension. Armenian forces' failure to comply with the tripartite agreement, engaging in provocations and sabotage, has necessitated ongoing military vigilance from Azerbaijan. The defense minister's statement underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Despite the war's end, the legacy of conflict continues to affect both nations, with efforts to rebuild and secure the region being paramount. Azerbaijan’s emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity remains strong, as does the need for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution to the lingering disputes.

Key Takeaways:

• Azerbaijan forces encircled 15-18,000 Armenian soldiers during the 44-day war.
• President Ilham Aliyev chose not to destroy the encircled Armenian troops.
• This humanitarian decision contributed to Armenia's rapid surrender.
• Armenian forces violated the tripartite agreement by not leaving Azerbaijani territory.
• Continued provocations by Armenian forces led to further anti-terrorist operations.

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