The Azerbaijani propaganda machine has been actively sharing photos and videos online that show residents of Azerbaijani villages who are allegedly preparing to go to the border and join the army. In particular, people appear to be gathering in the Aghdam village (as pictured) as battles are taking place nearby.
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Kurdish and Turkish affairs expert Karen Hovhannisyan told Aravot Daily that this is false and what Azerbaijan is trying to portray is not close to reality. “The Azerbaijani propaganda machine is doing everything to show the locals that people are allegedly prepared to go to the border and fight without weapons. Azerbaijan has been putting on a play since last night that residents of the regions have joined the villagers and are trying to join the army and fight.”
According to Karen Hovhannisyan, the Azerbaijani authorities are trying to show that they have the support of society. “The Azerbaijani authorities wish to show their opponents that they have support. Their opponents are trying to gather at Freedom Square in Baku to demand Ilham Aliyev’s resignation. They also want to show us that their people support the authorities and everything can be done. This is not the truth. In particular, the residents of Aghdam are unhappy. They are complaining about how the harvest is soon but their military wants to start a war. There are images that prove this.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
