The Azerbaijani side on Tuesday transferred the bodies of 95 more fallen Armenian servicemen to Armenia. Armenian News-NEWS.am learned about this from Aram Torosyan, spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of Armenia.

And asked whether the number of these returned bodies is included in the total number of Armenian casualties and missing persons publicized Monday by the Security Council of Armenia, Torosyan said: “Yes.”

The number of Armenian casualties and missing persons as a result of the military aggression last week by the Azerbaijani side has reached 207, including 3 civilians killed, 2 civilians are considered missing, 293 servicemen and 3 civilians were wounded, and 20 servicemen were taken prisoner by Azerbaijan.

On September 17, the Azerbaijani side had transferred the bodies of 32 fallen Armenian soldiers to the Armenian side.

At 12:05am on September 13, the Azerbaijani armed forces started to fire intensively, from artillery and large-caliber firearms, at the Armenian combat positions along the border; they used UAVs as well. The adversary attacked both military and civilian objects in Armenia, and carried out positional advancement in some directions. According to the Armenian MOD, as of 8pm on September 14, the fire virtually stopped.

By Harut Sassounian,

During last week’s massive attack on Armenia’s eastern border by Azerbaijan’s military, over 200 Armenian soldiers and civilians were killed. In addition, the Republic of Armenia lost additional territories to Azerbaijan.

This unprovoked Azeri attack comes on the heels of the 44-day war in 2020 when Azerbaijan occupied most of Artsakh and killed thousands of Armenian soldiers.

Since then, Azerbaijan has been regularly attacking the Armenian population of Artsakh as well as the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Azerbaijan’s military penetrated Armenia’s border on May 12, 2021 and is still there.

Facing a politically and militarily weak Armenia, Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey is applying increased pressure to extort further concessions, which include the elimination of the remnants of Artsakh Armenians and occupation of more of Armenia’s territories. In addition, Azerbaijan repeatedly insists that Armenia accept what it calls “the Zangezur Corridor,” which implies Azeri sovereignty over the planned road across Armenia from Azerbaijan to its enclave of Nakhichevan.

While Armenia’s Prime Minister continually announces his desire to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and open the border with Turkey, these two hostile countries persist in issuing threats to achieve their demands by force.

Armenia expects to be protected by CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) composed of Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. CSTO is a mutual defense treaty that requires all members to protect any one of them from attack by an outside power. The CSTO did not defend Artsakh during the 2020 war, because it was not a part of Armenia. Even though last week’s attack was clearly on the territory of Armenia, CSTO did not come to Armenia’s defense. Due to the engagement of Russian forces in Ukraine, Pres. Putin neither wishes nor is capable of sending his troops to a second war front. On the contrary, Russia is doing everything possible to maintain good relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, which are much more important to Russia than Armenia, particularly at a time when Russia is isolated from the Western world. Last week, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev along with several other leaders gathered at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Armenians were disheartened to watch the videos of a profusely friendly meeting between Putin and Aliyev, and a walk by Putin and Erdogan while holding hands. For the first time, several high-ranking members of the Armenian government expressed their disappointment in CSTO’s inactive stand, at a time when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is the current Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

Two of Armenia’s neighboring countries indicated their mutually contradictory positions after Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia. Iran massed its troops on Armenia’s Southern border and repeatedly declared that it is unacceptable to alter by force the Iran-Armenia border. Turkey, on the other hand, massed its troops on Armenia’s western border after many high-ranking Turkish officials expressed their support for Azerbaijan and falsely condemned Armenia for initiating an attack on Azerbaijan.

Armenians were pleased that the international community finally started paying attention to Azerbaijan’s attacks on Armenia. At the invitation of France and the request of Armenia, the United Nations Security Council held two meetings last week, one open and the other closed, to discuss Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia. Armenians had been unhappy that the world’s attention was focused exclusively on the war in Ukraine, ignoring Armenia’s plight. All 15 members of the UN Security Council (France, India, Albania, Gabon, Norway, Ireland, Kenya, China, Mexico, Ghana, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Russia), in addition to Armenia and Azerbaijan, delivered remarks on the fighting. Only the United States and France described the situation as an attack inside Armenia’s borders. The rest of the Council members urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to end their hostilities without naming Azerbaijan as the aggressor.

The other positive development was the surprise visit of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States to Armenia along with three other pro-Armenian members of Congress. Given the disappointment with the inaction of Russia and CSTO, Armenians welcomed the Speaker warmly who carried a very supportive message, condemning Azerbaijan for its attack on Armenia. Pelosi, the highest ranking U.S. official to ever visit Armenia, was seen with tears in her eyes at the Armenian Genocide Memorial. She also visited the Parliament, held a press conference, and met with the Defense Minister and Prime Minister Pashinyan.

It is a welcome development to expand Armenia’s relations with as many supportive countries as possible. However, there is no substitute to Armenia being able to defend itself by strengthening its own military. No one else will do that for Armenia. Armenians have to give up the belief that an outside power, whether Russians or Americans, will save them. No one has and no one will.

“I have had meetings with many people, I have talked with people around me, with other people, they told me that yes, the situation has changed and now there is a real need for a leader like me,” he told the citizens at the “Moscow” cinema.

said the second RA President Robert Kocharyan during the meeting. Let’s remind that “Hraparak” today, presenting details from the closed meeting, reported that Kocharyan informed the citizens that he is ready to lead the people, if he receives real assessments that he has the support of the majority of the people.

“However, at this moment I have a certain disappointment and I am sure that many of you have that disappointment. You all remember the events of Sisyan in May of last year, when the Azerbaijanis attacked and established control over vast territories by simply driving people away. They were very close to some villages of Sisian sub-region. Now, first of all, I am interested in whether the attitude of people in those villages of Sisian has changed or not. Surprisingly, nothing has changed. They are more afraid, the “peace at any cost” thesis began to work more deeply in those villages. It seemed that they would say: let’s stand up, defend our land, our land, but in fact it was the exact opposite. I also want to give you the second example, talking about the mood of the Aghavno population. A group of young people, before the surrender of the village, they went and visited all the houses. It was a shocking phenomenon, they called me and said, Mr. President, 80 percent said that Nikol would be alive. Do you understand what is happening? There is a village in Kapan, I don’t want to name it, it was deprived of almost everything, do you know what they say in that village, they say: let’s change the name of the village to Nikolavan,” he added.

We must honestly admit that the Armenian state is standing on the threshold of a new and catastrophic war, which may lead to no less serious consequences than the 44-day war.

And the prevention or management of that danger should take place with both security and political instruments. Araik Harutyunyan, the President of Armenia, announced this in his video message. “I express my deep sorrow to the families of all Armenians who died as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Armenia on September 13-14. May there be no need for new sacrifices. Considering the danger of impending disaster, I am convinced that the only solution is to combine the efforts of all the main actors, especially in the Republic of Armenia, on the basis of unity, sincere dialogue and common sense. Regardless of the tools used to prevent disaster,

The authorities, yes, are always primarily responsible for the situation, but today a heavy responsibility rests on all of us, because we are facing threats to the statehood, one of the causes of which is internal disunity. Our international partners and the international community in general can only provide additional tools to suit their own interests, but the solution to our own problems is largely up to us. Now coming to the questions about long-term security guarantees, it should be noted that, unfortunately, in the conditions of this very fragile world order and regional upheavals, no one can give us long-term security guarantees yet. Due to Russia’s preoccupation and distraction, the guarantees of Russian peacekeepers have undergone a certain breach, which Azerbaijan is taking advantage of. On the other hand, all foreign hostile forces consistently undertake provocations of a military and information nature in order to undermine the role of Russian peacekeepers and create mistrust of Russia among the people of Artsakh. I am sure that the people of Artsakh do not give in to such provocations, a vivid example of which is the special treatment shown to Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. Despite the geopolitical realignment and existing challenges in the world and the region, the Russian Federation continues to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh, although it is fragile and relatively stable. We hope that it will be possible to increase the effectiveness of the Russian peacekeeping mission and ensure its indefinite presence in Artsakh as the most important guarantee of the security of our people, regardless of its incomplete nature. Due to the mentioned challenges, we have spared no effort and will not spare any effort to modernize our own defense system to the best of our ability and adapt it to the challenges we face. We want peace and stability in the entire region, however, considering the threats from Azerbaijan, we have the right and are obliged to think about self-defense capabilities and opportunities.

There is still much to be done to improve the civil defense system. Although significant efforts and resources have been invested in civil defense over the past two years, mostly in areas that are less noticeable to the general public, it will be ongoing and more attention will be paid to that component of homeland security in the near future. Through negotiations, not only Artsakh-Azerbaijan, but also Armenia-Azerbaijan relations should be resolved, and Azerbaijan should be a sincere supporter of this approach, showing loyalty to the principles of respecting the interests and rights of all parties and excluding the use of force. We must make every effort to ensure long-term peace. which will make it possible to keep Artsakh Armenian and enter the phase of stable demographic growth. Many of our actions have been aimed at that goal, including my call to the people to return and live in Artsakh during the post-war period. No matter how many difficulties and security risks arise, the only way to keep Artsakh Armenian is to live and create in Artsakh, and in addition to international and state guarantees and efforts, every person living in Artsakh should be ready to take his part in the sacred task of keeping Artsakh Armenian. risk and responsibility. thousands of our brothers and sisters have sacrificed their dearest for this purpose. In that context, I would like to emphasize that my family has always lived and will live in Artsakh. and I can guarantee the safety of every Artsakh family as much as I guarantee the safety of my own family. In guaranteeing the Armenian future of Artsakh, the primary manifestation of the merit of each person and family is to live and work in Artsakh, and the price is the difficulties and problems faced,” he said.

It has long been clear that Turkey aims to create an intermediate, loose, yet distinct geosystem in Central Asia – a geosystem that will move and act autonomously, taking advantage of the competition of the Euro-Atlantic West and the looming collectivization of Eurasian states, with the Russia-China system at its core. What is happening in Armenia is directly related to Ankara’s goal.

Turkey is the de facto leader of this scheme, which consists mainly of Turkic-speaking countries. Also, the most powerful country in the system, Pakistan, is in the shadow of its great rival, India, but also of its great ally, China, which puts it in second place, relative to the one devoid of great neighbors and necessary allies.

The core of this loose association in Central and South Asia is the Turkey-Azerbaijan system. And the thorn between them is Armenia. That’s why Armenia must be dismantled by Turkey and Azerbaijan. A victory against Armenia, and its consequent geopolitical mutilation and satellite-isation, will further strengthen the unity of the Turkish-Azeri scheme.

In addition, it will provide Turkey with the prestige and geopolitical weight it needs in order to attract the rest of the countries in the region towards its orbit. Moreover, having neutralized Armenia geopolitically, Azerbaijan will become more independent from Moscow and will be able to turn even more towards Turkey, strengthening the Turko-Azeri scheme.

Don’t let Armenia be left alone

More generally, the mutilation and consequential geopolitical immobilization of Armenia, which Baku seeks under the leadership of Ankara, will strengthen the cohesion of the Turko-centric Central Asian geosystem and its independence from external interference, and will further strengthen Turkey’s role as an independent actor, which will balance between the West and the East and blackmail both.

In other words, it will strengthen Turkey’s bargaining chips and role in the emerging international system. And it will be easier for a more strengthened Turkey to proceed with the “big trick” it wants to achieve. That is, in the geopolitical inactivity of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey will have less to fear from backlash from powerful actors and will have far more cards in its hands to negotiate with them.

This is why Greece’s defence begins in Armenia. So simple. Greek diplomacy must find every way to support Armenia. This is because within the unified Eurasian system there are no isolated neighborhoods that are cut off from the rest. What happens in one part affects the rest.

And the Turko-Azeri attack on Armenia makes Turkey more dangerous for Greece.

Clean and clear.

In conclusion, supporting Armenia is not an act of solidarity towards a people with whom we have much in common, it is a move necessary for the security and geopolitical functioning of Greece within a single and indivisible geosystem.

Greek diplomacy and foreign policy, which shows in recent years that it has been freed from the syndrome of provincialism that afflicted it in the past, must take action. And of course, Greece must act independently, without waiting for the rest of the European countries, which do not have similar issues to Turkey and its friends in Central Asia.

Konstantinos Grivas is a professor of Geopolitics and Modern Military Technologies and director of the Department of War Theory and Analysis at the Military School of Guards. He also teaches Geography of Security in the Wider Middle East at the Department of Turkish and Contemporary Asian Studies, University of Athens. He is a regular contributor to SLPress.

Najmaddin Sadigov is meeting his Israeli counterpart, Gadi Eisenkot and other senior Israeli army officials. The Azeri decision to send the general to Israel is perceived in Jerusalem as a clear message to Iran.

The chief of general staff of Azerbaijan’s armed forces arrived in Israel for his first official visit.

Azerbaijani Chief of General Staff Najmaddin Sadigov has met with his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and other senior Israel Defense Forces officials.

Sadigov is also slated to visit different IDF units and will discuss strengthening the military, security and business ties of the two nations.

By Reuters Staff

WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) – The United States said on Tuesday it strongly objected to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s recent hosting of two leaders of Hamas in Istanbul, prompting a swift riposte from Ankara.

The State Department said the officials were Specially Designated Global Terrorists and the United States was seeking information about one for his involvement in multiple terrorist attacks, hijackings and kidnappings.

A Turkish government statement on Saturday said Erdogan received Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas Political Bureau, and an accompanying delegation.

On Tuesday, Turkey’s foreign ministry said Ankara “fully rejects” the U.S. criticism and called on Washington to use its influence for a “balanced policy” that will help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, instead of “serving Israel’s interests.”

The State Department said the Saturday meeting was the second time this year Erdogan had welcomed leaders of the armed Islamist group that has controlled Gaza for over a decade, after a meeting on Feb. 1.

“President Erdogan’s continued outreach to this terrorist organization only serves to isolate Turkey from the international community, harms the interests of the Palestinian people, and undercuts global efforts to prevent terrorist attacks launched from Gaza,” it said in a statement.

“We continue to raise our concerns about the Turkish government’s relationship with Hamas at the highest levels.”

In its statement, Turkey’s foreign ministry said: “Declaring the legitimate representative of Hamas, who came to power after winning democratic elections in Gaza and is an important reality of the region, as a terrorist will not be of any contribution to efforts for peace and stability in the region.”

U.S. ties with NATO ally Turkey have been strained over a variety of issues including Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, which prompted Washington to suspend Turkish involvement in its F-35 jet program and threaten sanctions.

Tuesday’s exchange came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump praised Erdogan for releasing American pastor Andrew Brunson last year after two years of detention.

“I have to say that, to me President Erdogan was very good,” Trump told Brunson in a meeting with Americans freed from overseas captivity aired on the first night of the Republican National Convention on Monday.

“And I know they had you scheduled for a long time, and you were a very innocent person, and he, ultimately, after we had a few conversations, he agreed. So we appreciate that, and we appreciate the people of Turkey,” Trump said.