The United States is set to complete joint exercises with Armenia on September 20 as scheduled, even as events unfolded nearby. The start of Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh did not alter the course of these drills, according to a military representative cited by Reuters. The message was clear: planning remained steady despite regional tensions, and the exercises would proceed as planned. (Reuters)
Military officials said that although Baku launched an anti-terrorism operation in Karabakh, the Eagle Partner 2023 exercise carried on unchanged. The ten-day program included 85 American soldiers and 175 Armenian soldiers, continuing amid a backdrop of broader regional activity. The commitment to the exercise appeared to reflect a focus on cooperation and readiness rather than a shift in force posture. (Reuters)
“We were aware of ongoing operations but did not see any risk to our personnel at that moment, so the exercise participants remained in place for the entire duration”, stated a U.S. Army spokesman. The remark underscored the balance officials sought between staying involved in joint training and monitoring the evolving security environment. (Reuters)
On September 11, joint drills involving the United States and Armenian forces commenced within Armenia, conducted at the Zar training center. The exercise was designed to enhance unity among units engaged in peacekeeping missions and to facilitate the exchange of expertise across a range of relevant military disciplines. The emphasis was on practical cooperation, interoperability, and the ability to respond to evolving missions. (Reuters)
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller commented that the joint activities between U.S. and Armenian troops should be viewed in their own right, independent of the tensions between Yerevan and Baku. The clarification aimed to reassure observers that the exercises were oriented toward professional development and regional stability rather than a signal about diplomatic standoffs. (Reuters)
On September 19, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense announced the initiation of a local counter-terrorism operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a development that drew international attention to the security situation in the region. The timing and nature of the operation were noted by observers as potential factors in shaping the broader security calculus for the surrounding states. (Reuters)
Earlier, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that Armenia and Azerbaijan were pursuing a path toward a diplomatic resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. The statement reflected Moscow’s ongoing role in regional diplomacy and the expectation that dialogue would continue alongside any security developments. (Reuters)