“Azerbaijan shows world example of resolving protracted conflict” Levin, Semivolos and Kasrelishvili on Caliber.Az

Azerbaijan delivers on promises and is resolutely aimed at solving all the identified tasks for the reintegration of the Garabagh economic region: this is expressed both in creating conditions for Armenians leaving Garabagh and in humanitarian support for those who decide to stay. These include food convoys running in an endless stream and prompt medical assistance. Meanwhile, the global expert community continues to sum up the results of the counter-terrorism measures of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and analyze Baku’s unprecedented success.

As Israeli officer and military analyst Yigal Levin noted in an interview with Caliber.Az, the Garabagh separatists have not learned any lessons in the three years since the end of the 44-day war, this is clearly visible in the way their troops were deployed, artillery and fortifications were open to observation structures, radars and other military facilities.

“It was clear that they were counting on the fact that the Armenian Armed Forces, CSTO troops, Russia, or maybe someone else would intervene in the course of Azerbaijan’s military operation. The separatists clearly did not think that they would be left alone. At the same time, we saw that as soon as the hostilities began, Pashinyan chose to dissociate himself and stated that the Armenian Armed Forces would not participate in any military operations against Azerbaijan, including helping the separatists,” he noted.

In his opinion, the Azerbaijani leadership competently carried out the lightning-fast operation, which lasted a little less than a day.

“This is very important, because often state leaders make mistakes about the right time for a war, a military operation, and make strategic mistakes. The fact that Azerbaijan implemented anti-terrorism measures with such speed indicates the coherence of the work of Azerbaijani intelligence and the political echelon; the combination of these moments played a significant role in the fact that decades later Azerbaijan restored full sovereignty over its entire territory.

How analytically correct and efficient Baku works can be seen at least by how quickly the electrification of Khankendi was transferred from Armenia to Azerbaijan,” emphasized I. Levin.

As for the tactics of carrying out anti-terrorist measures, they were impeccable. During the anti-terror measures, high-precision Israeli and Turkish weapons were used. The fact that crushing damage to the enemy was inflicted in the very first hours of the operation can be considered an unconditional success. And this explains why the separatist leaders decided to lay down their arms so quickly.

“As for the disarmament process. In my opinion, success is evidenced by the fact that, first of all, the Armenian separatists surrendered heavy weapons: tanks and combat vehicles. And this is not at all like disarming just militants with machine guns - we were, in fact, talking about disarmament of a regular army capable of conducting combined arms operations.

Although, at the same time, I would like to warn my Azerbaijani colleagues: probably over so many years, many caches and secret storage facilities for weapons have been created, so the disarmament operation must be continued further, until the region is completely demilitarized. And the fact that individual elements, determined to undermine the situation, will try to use these weapons and commit provocations - the risk of this, alas, is extremely high.

Of course, now, in my opinion, large investments are needed in Garabagh - to restore everything that was destroyed, restore the infrastructure, and subsequently create production and jobs. In this context, it seems to me that it is very important for Azerbaijan to show, including those Armenians who wish to stay, that the return of territories is a qualitative improvement in people’s lives, not in words, but in deeds.

Although there is no doubt about this, looking at how much is being done and has already been done by Azerbaijan in the liberated territories during the 44-day war. And I think it is no coincidence that the Garabagh region is also called “economic” - Baku clearly invested this name with a meaning aimed at creation and development,” said I. Levin.

Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian political expert, director of the Kyiv Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Igor Semivolos, it is premature to talk about the full reintegration of the region, since it involves a number of economic, political and humanitarian steps, most of which are now in the initial phases.

“Today we are seeing two initial stages: the first is the disarmament of illegal military formations; the second is humanitarian actions aimed at maintaining order and preventing chaos at the time of the transfer of full power in the liberated areas. The humanitarian aspect plays an important role here - maintaining the functioning of infrastructure and ensuring the safety of the population, preventing looting and carrying out filtration measures. In parallel with this, a dialogue is being conducted with representatives of the local Armenian population. I note that Azerbaijan is acting quite cautiously, trying to avoid any accusations of organizing so-called `ethnic cleansing’. In other words, in my opinion, a number of stabilization measures are now taking place, and then step-by-step steps will begin to be implemented to reintegrate the region,” noted I. Semivolos.

According to the Georgian politician, chairman of the Confederation of Peoples of the Caucasus Zaal Kasrelishvili, in the case of Garabagh, we can talk about the first precedent for resolving a frozen conflict in the post-Soviet space.

“This technique can be used to resolve similar conflicts in other post-Soviet countries; this is a very good precedent,” the politician emphasized.

At the same time, in his opinion, Garabagh Armenians can confidently count on decent living in Garabagh, because the Azerbaijani state guarantees this to them.

“This technique can be used to resolve similar conflicts in other post-Soviet countries; this is a very good precedent,” the politician emphasized.

At the same time, in his opinion, Garabagh Armenians can confidently count on decent living in Garabagh, because the Azerbaijani state guarantees this to them.

“The process of reintegration in the Garabagh region is ongoing, it is irreversible. I would compare this process to human health and the development of disease. Now that the occupation (disease) is completed, the process of rehabilitation of the patient begins, returning to a healthy, normal state, when all organs are functioning.

For the sake of objectivity, I note that this is an opportunity for Yerevan as well. For Armenia, this is the path to recovery and normal life. Due to the occupation of Garabagh, Armenia and its economy did not develop, the country fell into decay. But now it has a chance to become a full-fledged state,” noted Z. Kasrelishvili.