In a newly released video message, the Azerbaijani president outlined that the pullback of what he described as illegal Armenian armed formations from positions in Nagorno-Karabakh has commenced. The announcement signals a shift in the security posture around the contested region and frames the move as part of a broader effort to restore Azerbaijani sovereignty over the territory.
The president stressed that the Armenian administration had been called upon repeatedly to cease activities that violate Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. He asserted that Armenian forces on Azerbaijani soil constitute an illegitimate presence and must be halted. The message underscored the Azerbaijani government’s insistence on ending any armed incursions and occupation within its internationally recognized borders.
According to the president, the conduct of counter-terrorism operations has left a significant portion of Armenia’s military hardware incapacitated. He argued that, in contrast to the trilateral agreement reached on November 10, 2020, Armenian troops, personnel, and equipment have not withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory for three years. This claim forms a central pillar of his justification for ongoing security measures in the region.
On September 19, Azerbaijan initiated what it described as localized anti-terrorism actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The moves were framed as targeted operations designed to reduce the capacity of any armed groups operating within the area while avoiding wide-scale disruption to civilian life.
Armenia’s government has maintained that no Armenian troops remain in Karabakh and has repeatedly called for the immediate cessation of any hostile activity. Within hours of the Azerbaijani statements, a ceasefire agreement was reached with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers. One of the central terms of that ceasefire was the disarmament of Armenian forces and the withdrawal of heavy equipment, a stipulation designed to reduce the potential for renewed conflict and to reassure surrounding communities.
Earlier, Baku had extended invitations to Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian representatives to enter negotiations in Yevlakh, signaling a preference for a political process to resolve disagreements about security arrangements and governance in the region. The outreach was presented as part of a broader diplomatic effort to stabilize the area and lay groundwork for durable arrangements that respect Azerbaijan’s territorial claims while addressing security concerns of local populations.
Observers note that the evolving situation in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to attract regional and international attention, with stakeholders weighing the implications for regional security, the rights and safety of residents, and the long-term political status of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. The leadership in Baku emphasizes sovereignty and stability as essential prerequisites for any future political settlement, while Yerevan underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and rights of Armenian communities in and around Karabakh. The interplay among these positions remains a focal point for ongoing diplomacy and dialogue among regional powers and international mediators. (Attribution: official statements from Azerbaijani authorities, corroborated by regional diplomatic briefings.)