Turkish-Azerbaijani joint military drills continue

BAKU/ANKARA

The joint military exercises of the Turkish and Azerbaijani air and ground forces launched in Azerbaijan are continuing, according to an official statement on Thursday.

“The first stage of the Azerbaijani-Turkish Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical Exercises is being held,” said Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The military exercises began on Wednesday.

“According to the plan, the situation is evaluated, combat missions are specified, reconnaissance of the area is carried out in real conditions,” the statement added.

“After hearing the relevant reports, the tasks for the use of troops participating in the exercises are clarified in accordance with the adopted decision,” it noted.

The military activities, involving jets and helicopters, will continue in Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Kurdamir, and Yevlakh until Aug. 10.

Ground exercises are scheduled to be held in Baku and Nakhchivan on Aug. 1-5 with artillery, armored vehicles, and mortars striking simulated targets.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Defense Ministry Thursday in a tweet shared a video showing military drills.

“One nation, two states,” the ministry said, also posting emojis of Turkish and Azerbaijani flags.

The exercises come on the heels of a recent attack by Armenia on Azerbaijani troops in the northwestern Tovuz border region. At least 11 Azerbaijani soldiers -- including a major general and a colonel -- were martyred.

Azerbaijan blamed Armenia for the "provocative" actions, with Ankara throwing its weight behind Baku, and warning Yerevan that it would not hesitate to stand against any kind of attack on its eastern neighbor.

Upper Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, is under illegal Armenian occupation since 1991.

*Writing by Handan Kazanci