Aliyev on Withdrawal of Troops from Artsakh: Armenian Armed Forces Remnants Still Exist

During a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed relations with Armenia. He stated, "Although Armenia has been forced to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, there are still remnants of Armenian armed forces in the area where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed. If Armenia is genuinely interested in achieving the long-awaited peace in the region, its armed forces must completely withdraw from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Armenian military formations on the ground should be disarmed and demobilized," he said.

Aliyev also spoke about the unblocking of transportation routes in the region: "Armenia is also obstructing the opening of the 'Zangezur Corridor,' which is yet another obligation of Armenia stemming from the agreement signed on November 10, 2020, and therefore it must be implemented," he noted.

What fictitious military formations the Azerbaijani dictator is referring to is likely known only to him. The Defense Army of Artsakh is still operating, serving as the sole guarantor of life and security for the people of Artsakh and the second Armenian Republic.