Two years ago, Azerbaijan launched attacks against the Republic of Artsakh in several directions. Active military operations started, which we later called “April war”. As a result, Azerbaijan did not have a significant progress, while the Armenian side suffered casualties, as well as lost some positions in the Martakert region and an important strategic position in the south of Artsakh.
These are known facts that I think no one will deny. The rest is propaganda, of three types: Armenian official, Armenian oppositional, and Azerbaijani official. (There might be also Azerbaijani oppositional, but given the regime established in our neighboring country, these voices are not loud).
Armenian official propaganda: we had a brilliant victory in the war in April. Armenian oppositional propaganda: we did not have bullets, and shells, our soldiers had no clothes, no shoes, and the tanks were filled with water instead of fuel because the latter was stolen.
Azerbaijani official propaganda: we (that is they) had a brilliant victory and liberated Azerbaijani territories, and tomorrow we will liberate Karabakh, Zangezur, and Yerevan.
The purpose of the propaganda as we know is to carry out a brainwashing. Armenia has recorded “great success” in this regard, and most of our society is inclined to believe in any fairy tale without resorting to common sense: if weapons did not shoot, if artillery and tanks were useless, then what is the reason that the opponent did not move forward? Have they really stopped the opponent by spades?
It is another matter that the army needs modern weapons, reforms, and within two years some steps have been taken in this regard. It is also obvious that there were and are corrupt officers in the army: first, they are fired and then regain their positions again, and some are sent to the CSTO, that is almost nothing has been done in that respect in two years. But all this must be analyzed calmly, without emotions, at the professional level.
However, besides the bad, one should also voice about the good aspects: the best qualities of our people were manifested during the April war.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
