Azerbaijan Continues Disarmament of Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh Region After Anti-Terror Measures

Azerbaijan and Russian peacekeepers continue the disarmament of Armenian Armed Forces in the Karabakh region, confiscating a large number of weapons, ammunition, and military hardware since September 20.

The Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan published last week a list of the seized materiel as of September 23. The list contains tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, mortars, cannons, grenade launchers, landmines, various types of shells and more.

On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian army formations handed over six units of armored vehicles, more than 1,200 units of small arms, anti-tank weapons and man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), as well as about 130,000 ammunition since September 20.

In addition, the Azerbaijani army units discovered multiple arms depots in civilian buildings in various parts of the Karabakh region. On Monday, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry reported a military warehouse found in a cellar of a marble plant.

Last week, two depots were discovered in the Kalbajar district — one in a cattle farm and another in a building once operated by the “Base Metals” metallurgical company, which was illegally established by the separatists.

The disarmament of Armenian armed formations in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan started after successful anti-terror measures conducted by the Azerbaijan Armed Forces last week.

The one-day local counter-terrorist operation from September 19-20 was aimed at disabling Armenian army forces and military infrastructure in the Karabakh region.

The operation came on the heels of the intensifying Armenian attacks on the Azerbaijani positions and a mine incident in the Khojavand district that killed four Azerbaijani police officers and two road construction workers.

By the time of the cessation of hostilities on September 20, the Azerbaijani military disabled artillery systems, radio-electronic warfare, military equipment, ammunition depots, military strongholds, and shelters of the Armenian army formations stationed in the Karabakh region.

In addition, more than 90 combat posts and strategically important positions of the Armenian military formations were taken under control during the one-day operation. Seven military vehicles, 4 mortars, 1 tank, 2 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as a large number of weapons and ammunition were also seized.

The Azerbaijani troops targeted only legitimate military targets throughout the hostilities avoiding any strike on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The counter-terrorism measures concluded after the Armenian military formations agreed to full disarmament by laying down arms, handing over the military hardware and withdrawing from their battle positions and military outposts. Armenia's armed forces were also obligated to leave Azerbaijani territory, and illegal Armenian armed groups were to be disbanded.