Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Israel, Azerbaijan's long-time partner
Armenian soldier in a trench near the Nagorno-Karabakh border in April 2016 (Illustrative photo).
REUTERS
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Israel, which is among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan after its independence, has been a long-standing partner of the country in terms of the supply of arms and the training of troops.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Guilhem Delteil
Azerbaijani planes have been spotted in recent days connecting Baku to Ouvda, a military base in southern Israel.
Armenian media assure that Azerbaijan has come to stock up on arms.
An adviser to the Azerbaijani president told the Axios news site that the flights were part of the “
long-standing cooperation
” between the two countries, that they were not linked to the current fighting with Armenia. .
Israel is indeed among the first countries to have recognized Azerbaijan after its independence, when the USSR fell in 1991. Since then, in the field of defense, the Jewish state has become an important partner of 'Azerbaijan.
"
He trained special forces and he also improved all kinds of Soviet-era military equipment, including tanks,"
recalls Gallia Lindenstrauss, researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies at the university. from Tel Aviv.
But I think 2011-2012 were pivotal years as Israel started selling drones and satellite navigation systems
”.
Independence from Russia
In terms of armaments, the amounts of the contracts are generally kept secret.
But the Azerbaijani president himself mentioned the sum of nearly $ 5 billion during Benyamin Netanyahu's visit to Baku in 2016. This is a significant envelope because the country wanted to diversify its purchases.
"
This gives Azerbaijan a certain independence vis-à-vis Russia
," continues Gallia Lindenstrauss.
He does not want to be too dependent on Russia and he sees the diversification of his international links as a strength, especially in his position against Armenia
”.
Since the resumption of fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Israeli government has refused to comment on the situation.
► Also to listen: Nagorno-Karabakh: what are the risks of a major conflict?
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Israel
Azerbaijan
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Benjamin Netanyahu
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