The Azerbaijani army launched an anti-terrorism operation after Armenian forces increased their attacks on Azerbaijani forces in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense stated that over the last few months, armed Armenian forces, who are illegally present in the Karabakh region, have intensified their attacks on the positions of the Azerbaijani army. They have also dug new positions and shelters and gathered additional military forces and equipment in the region. It was reported that civilians and civilian infrastructure facilities in Karabakh were not targeted during the operation.
The authorities explained, ‘Local anti-terrorism operations have been launched in the region to disarm the Armenian Armed Forces units, remove them from Azerbaijani territory, neutralize military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the lands liberated from occupation, protect workers and military personnel involved in construction works in the region, and establish the constitutional integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.