Baku not intimidated by Iran’s air drills, Azeri official claims

September 10, 2011 - 17:15 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku is not intimidated by Iran’s air drills, the head of the foreign affairs department at Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration said.

According to Novruz Mamedov, “Baku’s course is aimed at peaceful co-habitation with the neighbouring countries.”

The official further expressed regret over Iran’s political, military and media propaganda targeting Baku, 1news.az reported.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has begun the second phase of major aerial drills in preparation for yet another extensive military maneuver next week.

The second phase of the drills includes the performance of tactical flights and dropping of test ammunition on mock targets, with Saeqeh, F-4 and F-5 fighter jets from different areas to be dispatched to the drill area in the northwest city of Tabriz.

The third phase of the drill will feature air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles as well as various types of fighter sorties.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.