Azerbaijan Transfers Special Forces from Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan Using Civilian Aircraft

A photo shared by Azerbaijani users on Facebook shows a unit of special forces departing from Nakhchivan to 'mainland' Azerbaijan aboard a civilian Airbus passenger aircraft operated by 'Azerbaijan Airlines.' The images were published by 'Razminfo.'

The individual visible in the photo is Colonel Tehran Mensimov, who coordinates the special forces in Nakhchivan. Notably, during a Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercise held in Nakhchivan in the summer of 2020, he coordinated the work of the command staff on the Azerbaijani side.

It is important to note that Azerbaijan is using its civilian aircraft for military purposes. Earlier reports indicated that civilian planes are also used to transport mercenaries and terrorists from Syria to Azerbaijan.

This situation should raise serious concerns for foreign airlines. It may be more prudent for them to temporarily suspend flights over Azerbaijani territory for security reasons.