On Thursday (5 March) four drones were directed towards Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region, according to the Ministry of Defence. Here is what we know so far.
One of the drones was intercepted by air defence systems, two struck the terminal of the international airport, and one landed near an educational institution in the village of Shekerabad, in the western Babek district.
Four people were injured during the airport strike: three staff on duty and one passenger waiting to board a plane. They were taken to hospital for treatment and observation. Initial reports from investigators say the drones were equipped with remotely controlled explosive warheads.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev blamed Iran for the strikes, labelling them “a terrorist act.”
“The Azerbaijani state strongly condemns this ugly terrorist act, and those who committed it must be immediately held accountable. The Azerbaijani side must be given an explanation by Iranian officials, an apology must be made, and those who committed this terrorist act must be held criminally liable,” Aliyev demanded.
“Our Armed Forces were instructed to prepare and implement retaliatory measures,” the President added. “All necessary measures will be taken through diplomatic channels. Our Armed Forces - the Ministry of Defence, the State Border Service, and all other Special Forces have been put on the number one mobilisation and must be ready to carry out any operation.”
Following the strikes, Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers announced a decision to temporarily, but completely, suspend the movement of trucks (including the movement of trucks for transit purposes) from all border crossing points on the Azerbaijan-Iran state border.
Aliyev stressed that the territory of Azerbaijan will not be used against any neighbouring state and said the Iranian ambassador had been summoned, with further diplomatic steps expected.
Later on Thursday, a press release announced Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, had called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov. Bayramov strongly condemned the strikes, saying that they contradict the norms and principles of international law and serve to increase tension in the region.
Araghchi expressed concern about the incident and said Iran has launched an investigation. Iran denies its drones were involved.
Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office has also opened an investigation over the drone strikes. The criminal case includes technical investigations to determine the origin and flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“All circumstances of this attack, which was carried out against the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan in violation of the norms and principles of international law, will be investigated objectively, thoroughly, and comprehensively within the framework of the preliminary investigation, and the necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the law,” the Prosecutor General's Office told Azertag.
The Office underlined that the targeting of civilians and strategic infrastructure is “a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.”
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