Baku has revealed the threats emanating from Armenia

The Deputy Director of Azerbaijan's State Security Service, Jayhun Shadlinskii, has stated that the "revanchist forces of Armenia, Armenia's militarization" and the acquisition of weapons that exceed Armenia's financial capabilities are hindering the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, according to Azatutyun.

In an official statement, during a meeting organized by the law enforcement agency, Shadlinskii asserted that the Armenian authorities "are trying by all means to delay" the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The deputy head of Azerbaijan's state security service also claimed that Baku has evidence of the "transfer of arms in the areas of Russian peacekeepers" and the "creation of conditions for military provocations." However, he did not provide further details.

While the Azerbaijani official accused Armenia of undermining the peace agenda by acquiring weapons, another official discussed steps aimed at strengthening the Azerbaijani armed forces. Present at the conference, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov specifically stated that new military units are being built and modern military equipment and gear are being acquired for the army under the directive from the country's president, in order to enhance the military potential of the armed forces.

Despite Baku continuously announcing its readiness for peace, Ilham Aliyev recently stated in one of his speeches that the Azerbaijani government continues to spend enormous amounts on the military. This year, Baku has allocated approximately $2.6 billion for the country's defense and national security, nearly the same amount as last year's military budget. According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Finance, military expenditures are expected to reach nearly $2.8 billion by 2025. According to the Azerbaijani leader, they are forced to bring the military budget to a record level because they perceive a threat from Armenia even after losing in war.

The so-called threats emanating from Armenia, as stated by official Baku, include "military provocations," "the incomplete process of the withdrawal of Armenian forces," and "targeted mine planting in Azerbaijani territories." These claims were reiterated today by Azerbaijan's diplomatic office, asserting that these actions from the Armenian side obstruct the Azerbaijani side's extensive restoration and construction works as well as the reintegration process.

Since August of this year, 1,119 mines have been discovered along the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, specifically in the Kelbajar and Lachin zones, with 1,609 of these mines produced in Armenia in 2021, according to Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry. They argue that the recently discovered mines indicate that Armenia has "used the Lachin corridor for illegal military activities."