President's messages from Shusha – 'Addressed not only to Armenia but also to Russia and Iran' - OPINION

"President Ilham Aliyev's messages from Shusha were addressed not only to Armenia but also to other countries, including Russia and Iran," Military expert reserve colonel Uzeyir Jafarov said in his statement to Report.

He emphasized that strong Azerbaijani Army units are currently stationed in the city of Shusha:

"On November 8, a solemn march of the servicemen took place in Shusha. President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, who addressed the military, shook hands with all personnel. It was a very serious message. The head of state showed that he will always stand with the army."

Jafarov said that the feet of Armenian invaders will not touch Shusha again: "A few years ago, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, danced on the Jidir plain. It will never be allowed to happen again. By liberating Shusha in 2020, we showed our power to the world. Shusha is Azerbaijan and will always be Azerbaijan."

The military expert said that the President's messages irritated some powers: "Because the head of the state voiced very specific ideas. The growing influence of Azerbaijan worries the powers that don't like us. Therefore, we must always be vigilant. Our Armed Forces must be provided with the most modern weapons."

According to him, the Turkish Armed Forces' permanent presence on Azerbaijan's territory should be ensured: "Until recently, the situation was calm in the areas where Russian peacekeepers were temporarily stationed. But a day after the President's speech, illegal Armenian armed groups fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army from those areas. It manifests the aggression of Armenia and other forces that do not like us. They do not want to accept the power and influence of the official Baku. We should be ready for all kinds of provocations. Of course, any provocation of the enemy will be successfully prevented. No one should doubt that. The Azerbaijani Army has shown what it is capable of several times."

Jafarov also said that Turkiye, Pakistan, and Israel stand with Azerbaijan:

"There is no need to expect countries like Russia, the USA, and France to support our righteous cause. Yesterday, the President gave important messages intended for the coming years. We should take the subsequent military and political steps in accordance with that strategy."