Characteristic Features of the Second Karabakh War

ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021

Characteristic features of the second Karabakh war

Khayal Iskandarov 1 A; Piotr Gawliczek 2 B A War College of the Armed Forces, Republic of Azerbaijan B University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland

Received: April 25, 2021 | Revised: June 8, 2021 | Accepted: June 30, 2021

DOI: 10.33445/sds.2021.11.3.3

Abstract The factors that led to the outbreak of the Second Karabakh War in late September, 2020 – enshrined in the military history of Azerbaijan as a Patriotic War or “Operation Iron Fist” – have been clarified on the basis of retrospective analysis. The military-political processes that took place during the 44-day war have been studied, their characteristic features have been presented, the contributions of “Operation Iron Fist” to world’s military art have been theoretically substantiated. Key words: Second Karabakh War, “Operation Iron Fist”, Patriotic War, 44-day war, Nagorno- Karabakh.

Introduction In late September 2020, the “Nagorno- When we say “unknown results” it should not Karabakh conflict”, which for various reasons doubt or underestimate the capacity of had been ignored by international organizations Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Azerbaijan, in general, for almost 30 years, flared up again and once had braced itself for the war taking into account again brought its existence to the attention of not only the strength of Armenia, but also the the world community. Azerbaijan had always support of its foreign backers. It is an preferred a peaceful solution to the conflict. indisputable fact that without the foreign Unfortunately, after the ceasefire agreement support, Armenia would have never been able signed in May 1994, the process of negotiations to make unfounded claims against Azerbaijan. on the settlement of the “Nagorno-Karabakh The 44-day war has attracted the attention of conflict” had not yield any results until an all-out various military experts and researchers war broke out. In fact, the Azerbaijani leadership worldwide. Researchers engaged in the field of had repeatedly stressed that if the talks failed, defense and security try to draw conclusions the conflict would have been resolved through about the nature of future wars by analyzing the war. Finally, the provocation of Armenian experience of Azerbaijan. In particular, the Armed Forces in the so called “front-line” effective use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) prompted Azerbaijan to launch counter- by the Azerbaijan Army against the Armenian offensive operation with a code name of Armed Forces has led to serious discussions “Operation Iron Fist” on September 27, 2020 about outdated weapons and equipment, and shattered the status quo over the Nagorno- especially tanks, on the battlefield and the Karabakh problem. One could say why the war incompatibility of existing operational concepts started exactly in 2020, but not earlier, for with new technological capabilities. During the instance in 2016, when a serious confrontation war and after the statement of November 10, took place between the parties. It should be 2020 on the ceasefire, a number of researchers, noted that, it had never been Azerbaijan's political and military experts touched upon strategy to wage a war with “unknown results”. various aspects of the Patriotic War, but no

1 Corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0001-8975-6530 2 Assoc. Prof., PhD, e-mail: [email protected], ORCID: 0000-0002-0462-1168

30 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 definitive study has been conducted yet. opinions of various experts and researchers, as Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study well as the studies of various research centers. the military-political processes that took place The work is mainly theoretical and uses methods during the Second Karabakh War, to make of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and scientific and practical conclusions about its idealization. results. The paper analyzed the views and

Results and discussion Factors necessitating the outbreak of the international community that Armenia was Second Karabakh War preparing for a new war (Heydər Piriyev). Although there had been numerous clashes Damjan Miskovic presented the following between the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops chronological events that led to the outbreak of since the 1994 ceasefire agreement, the July 12, the Second Karabakh War, where he highlighted 2020 confrontation in the direction of Tovuz was the importance of July 2020 military flare–up of special historical significance. Because after (Damjan Miskovic): that confrontation, the unity of the Azerbaijani in late October 2018, Pashinyan told then people and their support for the army reached U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton that its peak, and there was a full stimulus to large- the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict scale counter-offensive operations against the did not depend on the Armenian people and provocations of the Armenian Army. A detailed diaspora, because it was a pan-Armenian issue; information about this confrontation has been in late March 2019, then-Armenian Defense provided in different academic papers (Ənvər Minister David Tonayan called on the country to Əfəndiyev və b.). In fact, Armenia wanted to prepare for a “new war for new territories” after ensure its policy of aggression on Azerbaijani Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s first official lands by involving a third country in the conflict. meeting with President Ilham Aliyev; However, the pragmatic behavior of the in mid-May 2019, Pashinyan repudiatedthe Azerbaijani leadership did not allow the Madrid Principles rejecting the existence of a Armenian government to realize this wish key document for resolving the conflict; (Ənvər Əfəndiyev və b.). in early August 2019, Pashinyan declared in The Armenian government, aggravated by the occupied Khankendi that Nagorno-Karabakh the failure in Tovuz, began to concentrate its and seven surrounding regions were part of armed forces on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Armenia; border, as well as in the occupied territories. immediately after the July 2020 There were intelligence reports that Armenia confrontation, Pashinyan stated that the “myth was planning an offensive against Azerbaijan to of the Azerbaijan Army capable of defeating the seize additional lands in order to extend so- Armenian army in order to force Armenia to called “security belt”. The fact that YPG / PKK make concessions” no longer existed. terrorists trained in Irag and Syria had been Finally, on September 27, 2020, the settled in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is Armenian Armed Forces launched offensive another proof of our argument. While the world operations along the entire front. However, the community thought that the Prime minister of successful counter-offensive (codenamed “Iron Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan was “preparing his Fist”) by the Azerbaijan Armed Forces thwarted nation for peace”, the Armenian government their plan to occupy new territories. Although was preparing for war. Even in September 2020, the political nature of the war is presented during the 75th session of the UN General complex in some sources, in fact, the “Operation Assembly, the President of the Republic of Iron Fist” had a simple and explicit objective: to Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev warned the expel the units of Armenian Army from the

3 1 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 occupied Azerbaijani lands and ensure the as “Operation Storm” initiated by Croatian Army return of about one million IDPs. In this respect, in August 1995 (Figure 1). the Second Karabakh War is of the same nature

Fig. 1 – Operation Storm (Operation Storm)

In “Operation Storm”, the Croatian Army armenians living in Russia, especially the overthrew the separatist regime in Serbian oligarchs. Krajina and restored the country’s territorial One of the main differences between integrity. Serbian Krajina was a so-called Serb “Operation Iron Fist” and “Operation Storm” is state formed within Croatia’s international that up to 200,000 serbs living in Serbian Krajina borders. Its territory was 18.4% of the total had fled. The rest (about 5,000–6,000) were territory of Croatia. However, the Second almost older generation. Croatian historian Ivo Karabakh War was a war waged by the Goldstein writes: “The reasons for the migration Azerbaijan Army not only against the separatist of serbs are different. Some were obliged to flee regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, but also against because the Serbian Army forced them to do so, the Armenian Army. It should also be noted that while others fled in fear of retaliation by the in this war, Armenia was not alone, foreign Croatian Army or their Croatian neighbors, who supporters backed up this country overtly (with had once been driven out and looted. However, political statements) and covertly (with the later it became clear that this fear was supply of weapons). The Armenian people unfounded” (C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 1999). In hoped that Russia would intervene immediately fact, the armenians in Karabakh also had such a and get them off the hook again. However, fear. Because they also killed Azerbaijanis and Russia did not openly intervene in the war, looted their houses in early 1990s. However, the which dashed the hopes of the Armenian victorious Azerbaijani Army demonstrated its government and people, as well as the commitment to the principles of humanism only

3 2 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 by striking at the legitimate military targets of expert). The Second Karabakh War lasted two the enemy. weeks longer than Igor Korotchenko estimated. Distinguishing characteristics of “Operation Korotchenko argued that the war would be Iron Fist”. Retrospective analysis prolonged with foreign military support. It On September 27, 2020, the Armed Forces of happened. Foreign supporters covertly backed the Republic of Azerbaijan mobilized its main up Armenia with weapons and equipment and forces for a counter-offensive operation. The therefore the war lasted relatively long. At this primary objective of the operation was to point, the analysis of the number of military dismantle the air defense systems of the equipment belonging to the Armenian Armed Armenian Army. Because these systems played Forces is also important. The number of enemy an important role in the detection and shooting equipment destroyed in the Second Karabakh of Azerbaijan’s fighter jets and UAVs. However, War proved that the Republic of Armenia, with as former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan the foreign support, had become a serious Matthew Bryza noted, “it was not easy to security threat in the region, grossly violating dismantle these systems by drone or missile. the requirements of international conventions. From this point of view, the Azerbaijan Army While bringing the number of destroyed demonstrated a very high level of skill in that Armenian tanks to the people’s attention, the situation” (Heydər Piriyev). It should be noted President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Aliyev rightly asked: “How do they get so many Azerbaijan used a unique method in order to tanks? Also, this contradicts international locate enemy’s air defense systems and conventions. Why don't the organizations that surprised the military experts worldwide. The are supposed to monitor these conventions pay 1947 former soviet AN-2 aircrafts used in no heed to it?” (Heydər Piriyev) In fact, this fact agriculture were flown unmanned with special allows us to substantiate the arguments that equipment in their cockpits and the enemy Armenia was armed by foreign actors. having discovered and considered them modern Irrespective of this fact, the Armed Forces of UAVs, immediately tried to hit them with air the Republic of Azerbaijan began to deplete the defense systems, thus revealing their position. Armenian Army at the outset of the war. The Dylan Malyasov notes that the Azerbaijan Armenian Army, which had lost control of the Armed Forces had more than 50 such AN-2 occupied territories in the north and south, was drones at Yevlakh Airport (Dylan Malyasov). in dire need of time and resources, forcing them As a result, Azerbaijani drones destroyed to knock on the door of intermediaries to broker enemy’s air defense systems on the spot. When a ceasefire. A ceasefire agreement reached after the Armenian Army realized that they were not 10 hours of talks in Moscow on October 10, modern UAVs, but AN-2 aircrafts, the Azerbaijan brokered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Army had already destroyed most of the air Lavrov, allowed Armenia to mobilize resources defense systems deployed by Armenia in and conduct operations to regain control of the Nagorno-Karabakh. After that, the fighter jets lost territories. At the same time, politicians in and UAVs of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces began some Western countries who depended on the to fly more safely in the airspace of Nagorno- armenian lobby and sought the support of Karabakh and destroy the enemy’s armored armenians demonstrated double standards and vehicles and artillery. In early October, Russian accused Turkey of intervening in the war. This military expert Igor Korotchenko shared his was exactly what Armenia wanted: to convince predictions about the war, emphasizing the the world that Turkey was involved in the scale of the operation: “Armenia's resources, conflict and that it was the main reason for their including ammunition and fuel, will only be failures on the battlefield. Undoubtedly, some available for the next 2-3 weeks to continue the countries which have conflicting interests with war with Azerbaijan. Without support, Yerevan Turkey saw this moment as an opportunity and will have nothing left to fight” (Russian military “believed” in such a “tale”. In fact, the reality 3 3 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 was far from what the Armenian government accept the terms of Azerbaijan; 2) to insist on wanted to convey to the world community. First fighting until the remaining Armenian forces of all, the Azerbaijan Army conducted peace were completely destroyed. Both options were enforcement operations within its not desirable for the Armenian government. internationally recognized territories. The According to intelligence reports on October principled and constructive position of the 20 and 21, the resistance of the Armenian Army Azerbaijani leadership on the Nagorno- was completely weakened. Thus, as a result of Karabakh conflict, as well as the victories of the artillery strikes by the Azerbaijan Army, the vast Army led to a completely new situation in the majority of personnel of the 1st and 2nd region. The party dictating the terms was motorized infantry regiments of the Armenian Azerbaijan and Armenia had lost all chances to Armed Forces were destroyed. The personnel lay any conditions in the negotiations. This can and combat equipment of the 1st motorized be seen in President Ilham Aliyev’s interviews infantry battalion of the regiment were with various influential television programs completely devastated, the 5th, 6th, 7th and (Heydər Piriyev). If Nikol Pashinyan had pursued 10th mountain regiments suffered heavy losses a provocative policy before the war began, from (up to two-thirds of the personnel) and were the second half of October, he only tried to save forced to withdraw. It should be noted that the his government and did everything possible to high-ranking officers, such as Tatul Ghazaryan do so. He first asked the Russian president to (commander of the 246th regiment), Armen broker a ceasefire. Of course, this appeal aimed Ohanyan (deputy commander of the 246th at gaining time. The Armenian leadership was regiment), Hovik Melkumyan (deputy not sincere and needed time to recuperate. commander of the 1st regiment), Vahan However, that did not work either. Later, he Sargsyan (deputy commander of the mountain exerted himself to physically involve ethnic regiment) were among the dead. In addition, a armenians living abroad in the fight against the legion of mercenaries stationed in the defensive Azerbaijan Army in Nagorno-Karabakh. Why zone of the 18th motorized infantry division and physically? It was apparent that the Armenian conscripts refused en masse to take part in the lobby had allocated colossal amount of money fighting, making the division withdraw. As a to the Armenian Armed Forces, however, even a result of such measures taken by the Azerbaijan large donation could not save them, since the Army against the enemy, on October 21, the resources of Armenian Army, including Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan put manpower had been exhausted. Therefore, the forward a proposal consisting of six steps: 1) physical presence of foreign volunteers on the create volunteer groups (minimum 30 people); battlefield was extremely important for 2) choose a commander from them; 3) apply to Armenia. Another reason for bringing the military commissariat where the volunteers from abroad to Nagorno-Karabakh commander lives; 4) undergo training in one of was to draw the attention of the Armenian the military units; 5) go to the front to defend Diaspora to the conflict. Thus, Pashinyan wanted the “homeland”; 6) win a victory. If we analyze to create another image of “genocide” against it carefully, we would see that this appeal was “poor” armenians. If the attempt to create this just an expression of despair. From the first day image had not been successful, he would have when the Azerbaijani Army took the initiative on been obliged to relinquish the post of prime the battlefield, Armenian Armed Forces had minister as soon as possible or he would have bombed the settlements, targeting the civilian faced the fate of the Armenian parliament of population, which was also an indication of this 1999. At the same time, the armenians would desperation. The analysis of the events that took associate the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh with place during that period shows that after the Pashinyan’s reckless policy. As a result, liberation of any city or settlement by Pashinyan had two options: 1) to sit at the Azerbaijan, the Armenian Army inevitably negotiating table as a loser of the war and committed war crimes and targeted the human 3 4 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 settlements. This can be compared to the considered negligible. Armenia has no choice but behavior of Hitler’s army in the last months of to make concessions” (Zachary Kallenborn). World War II. Hitler’s foolish orders and weak Apparently, Kallenborn did not rule out that decisions in World War II, allegedly to keep Armenia had lost more by emphasizing the Germany afloat, were in fact the result of his “open source information”. As a result of a earlier mistakes. Pashinyan was also on the successful operation conducted by the agenda with such wrong decisions. Perhaps Azerbaijan Army in the direction of Gubadli, the Pashinyan had not thought of the rapid advance units of the Armenian Armed Forces were forced of the Azerbaijan Army. Therefore, the situation to withdraw from important heights and a prevented him from thinking normally and number of positions (Figure 2). Serious blows making decisions in the interest of his nation. were inflicted on the 155th artillery regiment, Because collecting people from the streets and the 5th mountain regiment and the 543rd forcibly sending them to fight in Karabakh was regiment located in the direction of Aghdara. not in the interests of the ordinary armenians. Newly arrived volunteers at the enemy’s An analysis of the events that took place in the artillery units north of Hadrut left the firing following days demonstrated that the situation positions and began to flee. In the Khojavend, in the Armenian Army had worsened after Nikol Fizuli and Gubadli directions of the front, the Pashinyan’s unprofessional appeal to the enemy’s weapons, ammunition and fuel depots people. Zachary Kallenborn described the were destroyed and important communication situation as follows: “According to open sources, lines were taken under control. Most of the as of October 23, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces conscripts sent to Nagorno-Karabakh from the had destroyed at least 144 tanks, 35 PDMs, 19 Tsakhkadzor settlement of the Kotayk province ZTRs and 310 vehicles belonging to the Armenian of Armenia perished. Numerous enemy vehicles army (in addition, dozens of artillery and air were destroyed in different directions of the defense vehicles). In return, Azerbaijan’s loss is front (Heydər Piriyev).

Fig. 2 – Situation in the front on October 25 (The fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh)

In fact, after the fortifications were breached, obvious that, the military elite of the Armenian the military officials in Armenia knew that the Army, led by the Minister of Defense, had situation would continue to deteriorate. It was deceived Pashinyan. The resignation of Minister of

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Defense Tonayan after war proves this fact. reassured Hitler in 1944. Thus, the Nazi army had Pashinyan thought that the fortifications, built for prepared strong fortifications from the west coast several decades with the help of foreign of France to the coast of Norway against any supporters, would protect them from the attack of possible attack by allied forces. This “Atlantic wall” the Azerbaijan Army. However, his hopes were was designed to protect the new German Empire dashed. It should be noted that the same idea from the Atlantic Ocean (Figure 3).

Fig. 3 – Atlantic wall (Operation Overlord & Neptune)

However, this protective “wall” was (“Operation Overlord”), Hitler mistakenly destroyed in a very short time. On the eve of the thought that they would attack in the direction Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy of the city of Pas-de-Calais (Figure 4).

Fig. 4 – Operation Overlord (Operation Overlord)

To form such an idea, Allied forces carried out the attack (“Operation Overlord”). The “Operation Bodyguard” a few months before operation involved the creation of a fake

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“American Army Group” in that direction, the advancing on French territory. deployment of numerous models of tanks and It should be noted that the Armenian Army armored vehicles, and the imitation of landing also considered their fortifications operations. The Germans thought that they had “impregnable”. However, the Azerbaijan Army a fairly large spy network in the UK and that they breached these obstacles, including the had thorough information. However, prior to “Ohanyan Wall” (Figure 4), within a day. the operation, the vast majority of spies were The political and military leadership of identified and disbanded or forced to serve in Azerbaijan, which predicted the attack of the the interest of allied forces (dual espionage). As Armenian Army, in fact carried out a deceptive a result of all these facts, the Germans were activity similar to the “Operation Bodyguard”. convinced that the attack of the allied forces Thus, after the events of Tovuz in July 2020, the would be launched in the direction of the Pas- Armenian leadership formed the opinion that if de-Calais. Eight tank divisions of the Nazi army the Armenian Army attacks, the Azerbaijani were stationed in that area. The night before the Armed Forces will counterattack in the direction attack, the Allied forces formed the idea of of Aghdam. Thus, while the Armenians expected deploying a large number of paratroopers using Azerbaijan to counterattack from the east of balloons. Thus, the allied forces did not attack Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijan Army broke the city of Pas-de-Calais and by the time Hitler through the enemy’s defense in the southeast understood what was going on, the allied forces and advanced to a depth of tens of kilometers in had already invaded the beaches and were a short time (Figure 5).

Fig. 5 – Situation in the front on November 8 (Azerbaijan liberates Shusha)

Thus, the strong fortifications built by did not take Azerbaijan’s UAVs into account Armenia in Aghdam practically lost their when building fortifications in the occupied significance. During World War II, the US territories. Thus, the Azerbaijan Army, which President Franklin Roosevelt said with regard to had already surprised the world with its success, the defense of the Nazis: “Hitler built a fortress pushed the enemy into a corner in all directions. around Europe, but forgot to build a roof” It should also be noted that, the total number of (Robert Bateman). The same can be said about Allied soldiers killed in Operation Overlord was the Second Karabakh War. The Armenian Army about 2 to 2.5 times that of the Germans. Given

3 7 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 that the attacking party was allied forces, such a stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh were almost ratio of losses was considered normal. However, under siege. Before the liberation of Shusha, in the “Operation Iron Fist” after the counter- Arayik Harutyunyan, the leader of the offensive was launched, although the attacking separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh told that the party was Azerbaijan, the Armenian Armed territories liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces had lost not only 2.5-3 times less, but Forces were “insignificant”. Highlighting the even 4-5 times more manpower. “Did Armenia importance of Shusha Harutyunyan said: “The have a chance to win this war by applying a party controlling Shusha controls Nagorno- different strategy?” Well-known US military Karabakh”. Neil Hauer, a security expert who expert Mikhail Kofman answered “no” to the has analyzed the fighting for Shusha, estimated question. According to the military expert, in that the war should have ended in mid- this war, from the beginning to the end, November 2020. The researcher notes that “if Azerbaijan’s advantage in terms of both quantity the armenians can prevent the attack of the and quality had been observed (Michael Azerbaijani Army in Shusha, they may have a Kofman). chance to stabilize the situation. Surrounded by It seems that the Armenian political steep cliffs on three sides, Shusha is an almost leadership was wrong about the balance of natural fortress. No, if the Azerbaijan Army military forces, opportunities and capabilities, as captures Shusha, they will be able to control the well as the organization of defense. With the rest of Karabakh. As a result, it will be impossible liberation of Shusha on November 8, the for the armenians to recapture Shusha” (Neil Armenian government realized that all its efforts Hauer). However, Shusha was liberated not in had been in vain and that it was inevitable to mid-November, but much earlier, on November sign an act of capitulation. It should be noted 8 and this operation surprised all experts and that before the liberation of Shusha, the has been engraved in the military history of the Armenian government and media were world. German military expert Ulrike Franke successful in deceiving the people with fake describes the liberation of Shusha as follows: news. Thus, the officials of the Armenian “As you know, Shusha is located in a very Ministry of Defense announced that they were strategic place, the area is mountainous. During tactically withdrawing from the lands liberated the operation in Shusha, foggy air prevented the by the Azerbaijan Army and even spread drones from flying. The Azerbaijan Army disinformation, denying the fact that some recaptured Shusha at the expense of special regions were liberated. For example, the forces” (İkinci Qarabağ). According to a political Armenian side, which lost the city of Hadrut, commentator Gustav Gressel, the battle for tried to reduce the anxiety among the local Shusha showed that the armenians could not audience by distributing old videos about the resist even in such a strategic area and that the city. It should be highlighted that during the war, Armenian Army was almost disintegrated, Armenian strategy of spreading “fake news” had leaving them with no choice but to agree to a worked non-stop. This was confirmed by the ceasefire statement (Gustav Gressel). former military official Movses Hakobyan in his Thus, realizing that they had no other choice, speech: “The lies spread during the 44-day war the Armenian leadership agreed to sign an act of have plunged the country into a deep crisis. capitulation on November 10 and Azerbaijan’s Although one of the tasks of the information victory was unequivocally declared. Because center of the Armenian Ministry of Defense was from the first day of the war, President Ilham to confuse the enemy, the number of lies should Aliyev said that the Azerbaijan Army could stand not have exceeded 30%, but it was 100%” only in one case: the Armenian leadership (Murat Sofuoglu). should provide a schedule showing the exact After the liberation of Shusha, it was no time for the withdrawal of the occupying forces longer possible to spread such misinformation. from the territory of Azerbaijan. It should be Because the units of the Armenian Army noted that all these points were reflected in the 3 8 ISSN 2522-9842 Journal of Scientific Papers “Social Development and Security”, Vol. 11, No. 3, – 2021 statement of November 10, 2020 (Figure 6).

Fig. 6 – Situation in the front on November 10, 2020 (Armenia-Azerbaijan)

The number of soldiers serving in the statement prove that some armed groups were occupied territories was recognized by the not subject to the will of the Armenian political Armenian leadership at about 30,000 (Heydər leadership. This fact necessitates the Piriyev). It should be noted that the Armenian continuation of anti-terrorist operations in the government was given an additional 10 days to liberated territories. In addition, those who are evacuate the people from Kalbajar region. The captured after the ceasefire should not be evacuation of other districts was carried out on considered prisoners of war. Therefore, all the dates specified in the statement. The arrested terrorists must be prosecuted under incidents that took place after the November 10 the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Conclusions The 44-day Patriotic War, enshrined in the not defeat a weak army presented by some military history of Azerbaijan, proved the will of experts, but an army that had been preparing the political leadership of the Republic of for this war for years and had received sufficient Azerbaijan and the military strength of the support from foreign backers. Thus, “Operation Armed Forces in the international arena. It is Iron Fist”, which is distinguished for its many true that the Armenian Army was not weak, it specific features, will be the subject of many was simply not able to satisfy the claims of the studies in the foreseeable future or even in the political and military leadership. Our analysis long run, attracting the attention of researchers proves that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces did and experts in security and military sciences.

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