AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES TURN 89

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 25 2007

Azerbaijani Armed Forces turn 89 this year, APA reports. The history
of the modern Azerbaijan army dates back to Azerbaijan Democratic
Republic in 1918, when the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Republic were
created. Azerbaijani parliament headquartered in Ganja passed a
decision on establishing the army on the basis of 600-men regiment
of former Russian army composed of Azerbaijanis on June 26, 1918.

The officers of Islamic Army of the Caucasus headed by Nuru Pasha
set up an army of 20,000. The army succeeded in releasing Baku from
Bolshevik-Dashnak occupation, crushing the Bolshevik rebellion in
Mughan and military operations against Armenians in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan’s military ministry was officially closed after Soviet
occupation and People’s Military Commissariat replaced it. Over 15
generals out of 21 of Azerbaijani army were killed by Bolsheviks.

Azerbaijani parliament passed a decision in September, 1991 on
establishing Defense Ministry, and on October 9 on setting up
Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces holds one of the leading places in the South
Caucasus for the number of its staff and its material procurement.

Azerbaijan’s defense expenditures make up $ 1.100bn in 2007.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces cooperate with a number of countries and
international organizations as well as in the framework of various
NATO programs (Partnership for Peace program, PfP Planning and Review
Process, Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP)).

The Azerbaijan Armed Forces consists of four military branches:
the army, air force, navy, air defense force and four sub-branches
the national guard, interior guard, border guard and the coast
guard. The interior and coast guard are only used for emergencies in
the country and are under direct command by the Ministry of Emergency
of Azerbaijan.

In the past 89 years, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry was led by Khosrov
bey Soltanov, Samad bey Mehmandarov (1918-1920), Valeh Barshadli,
Tajeddin Mehdiyev, Shahin Musayev, Tahir Aliyev, Rahim Gaziyev,
Vahid Musayev, Dadash Rzayev, Mammadrafi Mammadov and Safar Abiyev
(1991-2007), and the Armed Forces General Staff was led by Habib
bey Salimov, Mammad bey Sulkevich (1918-1920), Shahin Musayev, Valeh
Barshadli, Safar Abiyev, Rufet Amirov (the last two acted for interim
period), Nureddin Sadigov and Najmaddin Sadigov (1991-2007).