President on September battles: 'Our response could have been even harsher if we wanted a new war'

The events of 13-14 September did not happen just like that, President Ilham Aliyev said, speaking in front of the servicemen in Shusha on November 8, Report informs, citing AZERTAC.

"Of course, Armenia has committed another military provocation against us. But our response was also very effective. Our response could have been a little less harsh if they had followed through on their commitments. Our response could have been even harsher if we wanted a new war. We don't want that, we don't want bloodshed. We simply want respect for our rights," the head of state said.

"After the 13-14 September operation, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan were stationed at key strategic heights in the direction of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Armenia should understand what this means. We can see the cities of Garakilsa, Gafan, Gorus and Istisu from those strategic heights now. We are on the shores of Lake Small Goycha. Lake Big Goycha is also within our sight. All these are realities. We created these realities after the Patriotic War. Why? First of all, in response to the military provocations of Armenia and, on the other hand, to insure ourselves against military provocations in the future. Because most of the Armenian posts are visible from the heights I mentioned, and if there is a concentration of forces there, we will see it and take immediate action. At the same time, Armenia does not fulfill its international obligations. Armenia was defeated in the second Karabakh war and its army was crushed. A defeated country cannot act like this. Therefore, all our steps are justified. It is true that some of Armenia’s foreign patrons want to accuse us of something. I have given their answer. If they crow again, I will answer them yet again. It won't stop me. But the fact is that we demand our rights, and the fact that Azerbaijan is right is not questioned by major international actors," the head of state noted.