Erdogan: Provocations of separatists in Garabagh forced Baku to take measures

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan in the Garabagh region were directed exclusively against "bandit groups".

The Turkish leader made the remarks in a conversation with journalists at the Turkish House in New York, commenting on the results of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Anadolu reports.

Erdogan recalled that the anti-terrorist measures initiated by Azerbaijan in the Garabagh region were successfully completed in less than 24 hours. The Turkish leader noted that the conducted measures were not related to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Armenia as a whole.

"Azerbaijan's actions were directed against a 'bandit group' in the Garabagh region," he said.

Erdogan said the attempt by separatists in Garabagh to hold so-called "presidential elections" had caused serious concern for both Azerbaijan and Pashinyan. He said that despite numerous warnings from Azerbaijan, the separatists have not stopped committing provocations in Garabagh.

"In response, Azerbaijan took the necessary measures. The operation was completed in the shortest possible time. About 90 important positions were hit and that was the end," Erdogan said.

The Turkish president described as important the fact that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took part in his inauguration ceremony in Ankara.