Pompeo Acknowledges Reports on Transfer of Syrian Militants to Azerbaijan

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged on October 2 in response to a journalist's question that he is aware of reports about the transfer of Syrian militants to Azerbaijan by Turkey. This was reported by Voice of America.

"I have also seen those reports. At this moment, all I can say is: I hope that it is not true. We have seen how Syrian fighters from combat positions have been moved to Libya, creating instability, further confusion, more serious clashes, and broader military engagements. The same consequences could also occur in Nagorno-Karabakh. So I hope the information is not accurate," Pompeo stated.

He noted that the question should be directed to President Erdogan regarding why he made such a decision and emphasized that Washington has a consistent view on this matter. "When chaos reigns, when there is a political and ethnic tension arising from long-term conflict along these borders, internationalizing it by providing a third party with weapons, ammunition, systems, and even just advisors complicates the situation further, increases the risk of human losses, and decreases the chances for peace," the Secretary of State stressed.

Pompeo highlighted that the U.S. has urged all parties simply to refrain from such actions and has only called for the restoration of the ceasefire regime and the expansion of dialogue to achieve peace and stability.

"We have certainly communicated this to both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Turkey. I have noted the messages from the EU, and the Prime Minister of Croatia told me the same thing. That was the message the European Union sent to Turkey during their meeting yesterday," Pompeo mentioned.

It is worth noting that French President Emmanuel Macron stated during a press conference on the first day of the EU summit that 300 Syrian militants had been sent to Baku via Turkey's Gaziantep amid rising tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. "I can confirm that 300 insurgents have departed from Syria, via Gaziantep, to reach Baku. These insurgents are known, have been identified, and are affiliated with jihadist groups operating in the Aleppo area. This is the situation. Other contingents of similar size are also being prepared. I am not going to say that this is a red line because that section is already crossed," Macron stated.

The French leader called the attention of all NATO partners to this issue, noting that it is unacceptable. He emphasized the need for clear dialogue with Turkey regarding all this.

According to France 24, the French President announced that he is preparing to have a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan soon. France is awaiting explanations from Turkey on this matter, according to Macron's comments relayed by France 24.

The French presidential office indicated that Macron and Putin expressed concern about Turkey's transfer of Syrian militants to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone; however, the Kremlin did not address this in its announcement. Instead, according to TASS, the Kremlin has classified the possible transfer of militants from Syria and Libya to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone as extremely dangerous, as reported by France 24.

Despite reports circulating in the Armenian media, a representative from the U.S. Department of Defense, whose name has not been disclosed, confirmed to Sky News Arabia that it is true that hundreds of Syrian mercenaries have been transferred to Azerbaijan by Turkey, although official sources from the U.S. have yet to confirm this response.