It’s Time for Stepanakert, Martuni, and Khojalu to Come Under Azerbaijani Control: Absurd Statement by an Azerbaijani Official

The situation in Artsakh remains tense for several consecutive days now. It was just reported that the enemy has once again fired three shells towards the village of Hnapat, with two shells landing in the territory of Parukh village.

Amidst this backdrop, it is notable that Ahmad Shahidov, the head of Azerbaijan's Institute of Democracy and Human Rights, claimed on Turkish Ulusal television that Azerbaijan has allegedly commenced a "military operation against terrorism" in Artsakh.

According to Shahidov, the objective is the elimination of Armenian armed groups present there, whom he referred to as "terrorists killing Azerbaijanis." The Azerbaijani official also attempted to promote the false thesis that Russian peacekeepers have started to withdraw from Artsakh, linking this to the Russian-Azerbaijani treaty signed on February 23.

He also stated that the peacekeepers stationed in Artsakh are elite units of the Russian army, suggesting they would be sent to Ukraine to fight. It should be noted that his statements are far from reality. Laying claim to his dreams, Shahidov stated, "The time has come for Stepanakert, Martuni, and Khojalu to come under Azerbaijani control, and in the near future, Azerbaijani residents of those areas will return."