“This comes from Azerbaijan’s desire to seem as though it is being constructive. It is trying to position itself as the constructive side of the conflict, which it is allegedly facilitation, but it does not do anything in reality,” political analyst Narek Minasyan told reporters regarding the fact that the Azeri Armed Forces was replaced by border patrol units along the Tavush border after an order from the Azeri President.
He emphasized that it is not known yet where the Armed Forces units will be placed that were deployed along the Tavush border. Therefore, this action raises questions. The political analyst does not exclude the possibility that Azerbaijan will begin ‘peace-loving’ initiatives soon. “It’s a fact that Azerbaijan wants to seem like it is being constructive diplomatically, but it is another question entirely whether this will be convincing for the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group. It is not convincing for the Armenian side.”
Expert on Azerbaijan Tatev Hayrapetyan said that Azerbaijan may be trying to establish a ring of tension along Nakhichevan through replacing its army units along the border. “Perhaps that has strategic intentions, since Azerbaijan announced that the replacing forces are not inferior to other units in the army.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
These forces were removed due to pressure placed on Baku by a regional power. I doubt that the regime would have removed these forces had it not been for such pressure. It would have had to come from a country that has some leverage in Baku, and that means either Turkey, Iran or Russia.