Azerbaijan carried out the forceful de-occupation of Karabakh (territories in the southwest part of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia) in stages, applying varying levels of military pressure through its armed forces. However, there is still contradictory information in the media about the role of external actors, particularly Turkey and Turkish military specialists, in the initial phase of the de-occupation of Karabakh. This document attempts to highlight the actual role of Turkey in the first phase of the de-occupation of Karabakh, specifically during Operation “Iron Fist.”
“Iron Fist”
The beginning of the forceful de-occupation process and its first phase was marked by the 44-day war, known as the Second Karabakh War (Operation “Iron Fist”). During Operation “Iron Fist,” which began early on the morning of September 27, the Armenian occupational military contingent in Karabakh suffered a devastating blow. All armed forces from both sides were involved in the combat, and partial mobilization was announced. Analysis indicates that Azerbaijan prepared a personnel force of 130,000-140,000 troops, while Armenia prepared 60,000-65,000 troops.
In the years leading up to the operation, the Azerbaijani army conducted comprehensive measures to increase its offensive capabilities in mountainous and rugged terrain. The number of special forces personnel was increased, and assault battalions staffed with contract soldiers were formed in the army corps. Modern communication systems, electronic warfare systems, precision missile systems, and various types of kamikaze drones were procured. Considering the high level of Russian-Armenian military-political cooperation, Azerbaijan decided to balance the situation with political support from Turkey and Pakistan.
Both countries supported Azerbaijan diplomatically and politically throughout the operation. Turkey’s support was more extensive. Several months before the operation, Turkey sold Azerbaijan Bayraktar reconnaissance-strike drones and related weaponry. Advisors from Turkey arrived to train Azerbaijani personnel in operating and maintaining these drones. A group of senior Turkish army officers came to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense to share combat experience. Several Turkish F-16 fighter jets that participated in joint exercises in Azerbaijan remained in case of foreign military intervention during the operation.
However, in the international media space, the role of Turkish military presence in Operation “Iron Fist” is often exaggerated, influenced by two main factors.
1. With the start of hostilities, Russian-Armenian propaganda launched information-psychological operations with narratives claiming a large Turkish military contingent was involved in the fighting, Turkish fighter jets attacking Armenian planes, Turkish special forces operating on the front, and so on. Turkish support does not compare to the level and scale of military support provided by Russia to Armenia. Russia strengthened the Armenian army before and during the operation by providing a battery of Tor-M1 air defense systems with personnel, supplying the Armenian armed forces with weapons and ammunition from its 102nd base in Armenia and from Russian territory, and establishing an “air bridge” to deliver volunteers and weapons to Armenia. There were 7 recorded flights of military transport and 20 civilian aircraft.
2. On the other hand, a large number of videos showing Armenian personnel and equipment being destroyed by Bayraktar drones led to an overestimation of their impact by the global media, which dubbed the operation the “Drone War.”
