Türkiye’s Protection Ministry on Thursday mentioned Ankara will proceed supporting Azerbaijan’s actions to guard its territorial integrity, in addition to “honest” efforts to facilitate everlasting peace with Armenia after Baku despatched troops to disputed Karabakh on Tuesday to disarm Armenian separatists.
“We reiterate that we are going to stand with our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters of their trigger,” the ministry’s press consultant, Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk, informed reporters within the capital, Ankara, at a weekly briefing.
Karabakh is the supply of infinite pressure between the ex-Soviet republics who fought two wars over it – within the early Nineteen Nineties and once more in 2020, which ended with a Moscow-brokered cease-fire settlement that noticed Armenia cede swathes of territory it illegally occupied for over three a long time.
Fears of a contemporary struggle have been averted Wednesday when Azerbaijan suspended its counterterrorism measures in Karabakh after unlawful armed forces agreed to put down arms and launch reintegration talks. Representatives from Azerbaijan and a delegation of the Armenian group of the Karabakh area met within the Azerbaijani metropolis of Yevlakh on Thursday.
“Türkiye is intently watching Azerbaijan’s taking the mandatory measures on its sovereign territory, its navy operation to forestall assaults and provocations by unlawful Armenian armed forces, the next cease-fire and up to date developments within the area,” Aktürk mentioned.
Armenia didn’t fulfill its obligations beneath the 2020 trilateral settlement, exacerbating instability within the area and escalating tensions.
Armenia helps illegitimate armed teams in Karabakh, engages in actions that destabilize the area and carries out provocative actions similar to fortification and border violations, he added.
As for whether or not Türkiye offered any sensible assist to Azerbaijan’s operation, Aktürk mentioned the offensive was “in the end performed by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.”
Azerbaijan’s success in its operation is necessary by way of demonstrating the extent of its navy because it has been cooperating with Türkiye on navy coaching and modernization for a few years now, Aktürk added.
“In the end, Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory, and the imposition of another standing won’t ever be accepted.”
He mentioned Armenia closely mined the area, and after the second Karabakh struggle, efforts to clear the mines have been initiated, which proceed thus far.
Anti-terrorism toll
Aktürk additionally reported updates from Türkiye’s ongoing counterterrorism operations within the north of Iraq and Syria, the place terrorist teams just like the PKK, its Syrian offshoot, the YPG, and the remaining cells of Daesh are energetic.
“A complete of 42 terrorists have been neutralized final week,” he mentioned.
Turkish authorities use the time period “neutralize” to suggest that the terrorists in query surrendered or have been killed or captured.
“Efforts proceed to determine stability in Syria as quickly as attainable, enabling the secure return of Syrians to a normalized surroundings,” the official mentioned, referring to Türkiye’s efforts in northern Syria to forestall the formation of a terror hall, defending Türkiye’s border and making certain the security of native Syrians.
All crucial measures are being taken to keep up safety and stability in operation zones, and terrorist assaults are being met with proportional responses, the official added.
Since January, 317 incidents and assaults have been carried out by the YPG/PKK terrorist group in areas of Türkiye’s counterterrorism operations, and 926 terrorists have been “neutralized” with the speedy response of Turkish troopers, in line with the official.
Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of profitable anti-terror operations throughout its border in northern Syria to forestall the formation of a terror hall and allow the peaceable settlement of residents: Euphrates Defend (2016), Olive Department (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).
In its greater than 35-year terror marketing campaign in opposition to Türkiye, the PKK-listed as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU – has been chargeable for the deaths of greater than 40,000 individuals, together with girls, youngsters and infants.
Some 7,442 individuals who tried to cross Türkiye’s borders illegally have been caught since Jan. 1, together with 497 terrorists, Aktürk additional knowledgeable.
A complete of 158,380 individuals have been prevented earlier than they crossed the border.
Türkiye has been a key transit level for irregular migrants who need to cross into Europe to begin new lives, particularly these fleeing struggle and persecution.
The nation, which already hosts 4 million refugees, greater than another nation on the earth, is taking new measures at its borders to forestall a contemporary inflow of migrants.
Way forward for Black Sea grain deal
In the meantime, relating to Ukraine’s proposal to renew the Black Sea grain deal with out Russian participation, safety sources mentioned Türkiye favors persevering with the cope with all 4 events concerned.
“There is no such thing as a new proposal on our desk,” the supply mentioned, including efforts and contacts on this route are persevering with.