Special Forces troops from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan have taken part in joint military drills as part of the first international exercise between the three nations, which is due to last for a week, until 20 September.
The soldiers were filmed shooting small arms and grenade launchers in Azerbaijan. According to Baku’s Ministry of Defense, the drills will boost cooperation between the three majority-Muslim nations.
“The main purpose of the Joint Military Drills is to improve the interaction between the units, as well as training for operations in peacetime and wartime conditions,” the Ministry said.
The militaries of Azerbaijan and Turkey, two neighboring nations, conduct joint maneuvers on a regular basis. However, Pakistan is a new addition to the pair of countries often described as “one nation, two states.”
Speaking at a ceremony before the exercises began, Azeri Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev thanked the armed forces of Turkey and Pakistan for their aid during the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020.
“Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan have entered the history of mankind as close friends and brothers. At the heart of these relations is the close ties between our peoples,” he said.
“Today, cooperation between our countries in all areas is at the highest level. Important measures are being taken to further strengthen and develop our relations to ensure the region’s and peoples’ security,” he continued.
