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    Categories: 2020

TURKISH press: Turkey’s military to assist Azerbaijan’s army with demining in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Turkish military’s demining crews pose for a group photo in Libya, June 25, 2020. (Defense Ministry Handout Photo)

The Turkish military will support the Azerbaijani army in clearing mines in the territories liberated from the Armenian occupation, the Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday.

The ministry said the armed forces will also provide military training for the Azerbaijani army.

The Turkish explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams will support the Azerbaijani army by clearing mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in areas liberated from the Armenian occupation, the statement noted.

The Turkish military has been providing similar assistance to the Libyan Army to facilitate the return of civilians in some areas.

Turkish demining experts and Turkish special forces have been working to clear mines and prevent accidental explosions to ensure security and a return to normalcy in areas liberated from the putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar in Libya.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, the Armenian Army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation.

On Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russia-brokered agreement to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The truce is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have been withdrawing as the agreement specified.

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS