Azerbaijan yet to decide on joining Gaza stabilisation force — president's aide

Azerbaijan's presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev has expressed doubts about the country joining the international forces that will be deployed in Gaza.

Hajiyev said that it would be difficult for Baku to participate in a force to be deployed as part of a US-brokered ceasefire plan, citing issues about the scope of the mandate, Caliber.Az reports per Middle East Eye.

In an interview with Japan’s outlet Nikkei, the official said that Washington had approached Baku to include Azerbaijani forces in what it calls "the International Stabilization Force.”

"No final decision has been made yet," Hajiyev said. 

The UN Security Council last month approved a resolution to create the force, securing official support from Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Jordan.

However, little progress has been made since then.

Hajiyev expressed concern that the Security Council resolution "does not address questions regarding the specific rules of engagement in Gaza, modalities of action, and the scope of the mission's mandate."

He also pointed out that Azerbaijan had been fighting neighbouring Armenia until 2023, and it would be difficult to convince people to mobilise more troops.

The force would be tasked with maintaining security in Gaza, demilitarising the area, and training Palestinian police forces for the future.

By Khagan İsayev