Armenia

Armenia-US Defense Collaboration: Mobile Training Team Visits Armenia

During the visit on April 1, a mobile training team from the United States participated in Armenia-US defense cooperation activities. From April 1 to 5, the instructors conducted an exchange of expertise in public relations and communications at the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense. This exchange involved collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Affairs of the MoD and personnel from the state institution "Zinuzh Media."

The program commenced with a speech by Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff.

Ceasefire breaches and reports

On April 1, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan continues to spread misinformation, alleging that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia are actively concentrating personnel, armored vehicles, artillery, and weaponry along the border. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani MoD has released edited videos depicting engineering and fortification activities within Armenia's sovereign territory, attempting to portray them as recent troop build-ups along the front lines.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia asserted that engineering works within its sovereign territory are exclusively its sovereign right. These activities are purely defensive and aimed at safeguarding Armenia's territorial integrity. Despite Azerbaijan's claims, the MoD perceives the operational situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border as stable, deeming additional measures unnecessary.

Following this, on April 2, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan alleged that Armenian units opened fire toward Azerbaijani combat positions on April 1 and April 2, which the Armenian side refuted, asserting no violations occurred in the mentioned directions.

Moving forward to April 5, the ministry reported that units of the Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire toward Armenian combat positions in Chinari village (Tavush Province) and Verin Shorzha (Gegharkunik Province). On the same day, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia refuted Azerbaijani claims of Armenian fire toward Azerbaijani positions.

On the night of April 5-6, the Armenian side noted that Azerbaijani armed forces initiated firing towards Armenian combat positions across various directions of the border. The intensity of firing varied, with most shots being non-targeted and irregular. "The Armenian Armed Forces observed significant vehicle movements of Azerbaijani forces towards Ishkhanasar. Despite provocations, Armenian forces refrained from actions escalating the situation," the report added.

On April 6, the Ministry of Defense reported Azerbaijani propaganda misrepresenting the routine rotation of Armenian Armed Forces units as front-line concentration. "Additionally, the Azerbaijani press has been increasingly disseminating misinformation about Armenian media. The Ministry urges vigilance and reliance on official news sources," it noted.

Continuing into April 6-7, the ministry reported that Azerbaijani armed forces fired near Khoznavar, Aravus, and Sotk, targeting Armenian combat positions. "The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia refuted Azerbaijani claims of Armenian fire toward Azerbaijani positions on April 6," it stated.

Azerbaijan

Ceasefire breaches and reports

On April 1, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that between 22:00 and 22:20 [local time], Armenian armed forces units fired periodically at Azerbaijan Army positions near the Heydarabad settlement of Sadarak region and Bichanak settlement of Shahbuz region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic using small arms.

Moving to April 5, the ministry stated that from 15:10 to 17:35, Armenian armed forces units attempted engineering work to improve a trench in front of Azerbaijan Army positions near Hajali, Aghbulag, Aghdam, Garalar, Kohna Gishlag settlements of Tovuz region and Galakend settlement of Gadabay region. Azerbaijani Army Units promptly halted the work. "Additionally, at approximately 17:25, Armenian armed forces units fired at Azerbaijan Army positions near the Munjuglu settlement of the Tovuz region from positions near the Chinarli settlement of the Berd region using small arms," it said.

On the same day, the ministry reported that from 21:55 to 23:20, Armenian armed forces units fired periodically at Azerbaijan Army positions using small arms of various calibers. Azerbaijani Army Units were fired upon in various directions a total of 30 times.

Continuing to April 6, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that from 18:30 to 22:05, Armenian armed forces units fired intermittently at Azerbaijan Army positions using small arms of various calibers, totaling 16 times. 

Lastly, on April 7, the ministry reported that around 17:15, Armenian armed forces units fired at Azerbaijan Army positions near the Shada settlement of the Shahbuz region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic using small arms.

Local and regional exercises

On April 2, a tactical-special exercise focusing on "Conducting combat operations in severe cold" took place to enhance military personnel's abilities and survival skills in severe weather conditions. Special forces engaged in various activities during the exercise, including clarifying tasks on maps, assaulting positions at night, climbing cliffs, rappelling from mountains, and evacuating wounded personnel from rocky terrain in extreme conditions. Units also practiced sudden encounters with the enemy in snowy, wooded areas with difficult terrain, as well as actions such as searching, providing first aid, and evacuating avalanche victims and missing persons in snowy regions. The exercise successfully achieved its objectives of improving skiing skills in snowy weather and shooting proficiency in motion and stationary states.

On April 4, a planning conference for the "Unity 2024" operational-tactical command-staff exercise was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan, by a joint plan signed between the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The conference, attended by an Azerbaijani delegation, discussed preparations for the exercise and outlined tasks to be fulfilled. Notably, the exercise, scheduled for July 2024, will include activities focused on identifying the locations of armed conflicts, to be conducted at the Oymasha training ground in Kazakhstan and Cape Tokmak in the Caspian Sea.

Azerbaijan Hosts Turkish Defense Delegation Led by Haluk Görgün

On April 2, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan welcomed a delegation led by Haluk Görgün, President of the Secretariat of Defense Industries under the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. The delegation included key figures such as Ahmet Akyol, CEO of ASELSAN; Behcet Karatas, General Manager of ASFAT; Mehmet Akif Nacar, CEO of HAVELSAN; Ilhami Kelesh, General Director of Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation; Ibrahim Kulekci, CEO of REPKON Group; Murat Ikinci, CEO of ROKETSAN; Ozgur Guleryuz, CEO of Defense Technologies and Engineering; and Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Aviation and Space Industry - TUSAS.

During the meeting, both sides praised the strong and enduring relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, particularly in the military and defense industries. President Aliyev commended the global recognition of Turkish military-industrial complex products and highlighted Azerbaijan's efforts in developing its defense industry. The Turkish delegation's visit was seen as a significant opportunity to explore further cooperation.

On the same day, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, met with the Turkish delegation led by Haluk Görgün. Hasanov expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and highlighted the importance of such meetings. Görgün reciprocated the sentiment and emphasized the positive impact of sincere relations between the heads of state on military cooperation.

During the meeting, attended by Ambassador Cahit Bağcı and leaders of leading Turkish military industry companies, both sides discussed the current state of bilateral military cooperation and explored future prospects in military and military-technical cooperation. The discussions underscored the friendship, brotherhood, mutual trust, and support underpinning the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Azerbaijan's Colonel General Karim Valiyev Attends CIS Chiefs of Staff Meeting

On April 4, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, participated in the latest meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states held in Moscow. The meeting focused on discussing prospects for the development of military cooperation and addressed various other issues of mutual interest.

Georgia

The Georgian side published no important information during this period.