Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the September battles that took place on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border.
According to Modern.az, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations in the directions of Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin starting from the night of September 12-13, 2022. Enemy sabotage groups mined areas between the positions of the Azerbaijani Army units and supply routes in various directions. It was precisely this action and large-scale provocation by Armenia that led to combat clashes in the directions of Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin.
Some positions, shelters, and strongholds of our army in the Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts were subjected to intensive fire from various caliber weapons, including mortars.
The Azerbaijani Army delivered a fitting response to the enemy. As a result of this military clash on the border, the Armenian armed forces suffered significant losses.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, during the September 12-14 battles, 80 servicemen of our Army were martyred, and 282 of our fighters were wounded.
Furthermore, as a result of the provocations by the Armenian armed forces, 2 civilians on the Azerbaijani side were also injured.
In the September battles, the Armenian side suffered more significant losses. According to Armenian officials, the enemy lost 224 servicemen, and 3 more individuals went missing. Over 300 Armenian servicemen were wounded.
In total, the opposing side's 53 combat positions, 2 mortar firing positions, and 8 strategically important heights were taken under control, while the permanent deployment point of the 538th separate mountain rifle brigade located in the Zod direction, and the launch positions of 2 S-300 and 2 S-125 divisions were completely destroyed.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, speaking before servicemen in Shusha on November 8, 2022, said the following when discussing the September battles:
“After the September 13-14 operation, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were deployed on the main strategic heights in the direction of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Armenia must clearly understand what this means. Today, from these strategic heights, we can see the cities of Garakilsa, Gafan, Gorus, and Istisu with our own eyes. We are on the shore of Lake Bala Goycha. Lake Boyuk Goycha is also before our eyes. All these are realities. We created these realities after the Patriotic War. Why? Firstly, in response to Armenia's military provocations, and secondly, to secure ourselves against future military provocations.
Because from the heights I mentioned, most of Armenia's posts are visible, and if there is a concentration of forces there, we will see it and take immediate action. At the same time, it is because Armenia is not fulfilling its international obligations. Armenia was defeated in the Second Karabakh War, and its army was crushed. A defeated country cannot behave this way. Therefore, all our steps are justified. It is true that some foreign patrons of Armenia want to blame us for something. I have given them their answer. If they bark again, I will give them their answer again. This will not stop me. But the fact is that we demand our rights, and Azerbaijan's righteousness is not questioned by major international actors”.
A. Gafarli
