Israeli arms quietly helped Azerbaijan retake Nagorno-Karabakh, to the dismay of region’s Armenians

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Israel has discreetly supported Azerbaijan in its efforts to regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a move that has alarmed Armenians in the region. Officials and experts have revealed that Israel provided powerful weapons to Azerbaijan just before its rapid offensive in September, which ultimately led to the reintegration of the ethnic Armenian enclave into Azerbaijan.

In the weeks leading up to the Azerbaijani offensive on September 19th, cargo planes from Azerbaijan made frequent trips between a southern Israeli airbase and an airfield near Nagorno-Karabakh. This activity, in contrast to Western governments urging peace talks, raised concerns in Armenia regarding the strategic alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan.

Arman Akopian, Armenia’s ambassador to Israel, expressed his apprehension over Israeli weapons being used against his people. He stated that Israel should at least express some concern about the plight of those being displaced from their homeland.

The Azerbaijani offensive, supported by Israel and Turkey, involved heavy artillery, rocket launchers, and drones. It led to the surrender of Armenian separatist authorities and resulted in casualties on both sides, including civilians.

The consequences extend beyond Nagorno-Karabakh, as over 100,000 people, the majority being ethnic Armenians, fled the region. Azerbaijan has promised to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians, but Armenia views this mass exodus as a form of ethnic cleansing.

Israel’s foreign and defense ministries have chosen not to comment on the use of Israeli weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh or on Armenian concerns. Israel’s close ties with Azerbaijan are rooted in its interests, including oil imports and containing Iran. Azerbaijan serves as a crucial source of oil for Israel, and this relationship has also benefited Israeli military contractors, who have supplied a significant portion of Azerbaijan’s arsenal.

Israeli arms, including long-range missiles and drones, have played a significant role in Azerbaijan’s military capabilities. These weapons have compensated for Azerbaijan’s limited air force and have even struck deep into Armenia. Israeli companies, such as Israel Aerospace Industries, have developed crucial air defense systems and combat drones that have been effective in the conflict.

Flight tracking data revealed that Azerbaijani cargo planes made multiple trips to an Israeli military base in the days leading up to the offensive. The intensity of these flights coincided with escalations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The decision to support an autocratic government against an ethnic and religious minority has sparked a debate in Israel regarding its arms export policies. Israel and Russia are the only top 10 arms manufacturers globally without legal restrictions on weapons exports based on human rights concerns.

This situation has led to discussions within Israel about the ethics of its arms exports, particularly when they are used in conflicts involving human rights violations. Some advocate for stricter regulations to prevent complicity in such situations.

In summary, Israel’s quiet support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has raised concerns and debate about its arms export policies and its role in the region’s volatile geopolitics.

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More about Geopolitical Implications

• Israel’s quiet support for Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh
• Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
• Arms exports and human rights concerns
• Israel-Azerbaijan alliance and geopolitical implications
• Impact of Israeli weapons on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• Debate on Israel’s arms export policies
• Azerbaijan’s military capabilities and Israeli support
• Regional interests in Israel’s relationship with Azerbaijan
• Armenia’s concerns over Israeli support for Azerbaijan
• Flight tracking data and logistics of arms shipments
• Consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• Displacement of ethnic Armenians and debates on ethnic cleansing
• Israel’s foreign and defense ministries’ stance