It is expected that the Armenian Diaspora will use terrorism

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- Ilham bey, the State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan have repeatedly warned the population about the threat of terrorism. Are there any serious grounds for these warnings? Who created this threat to Azerbaijan?

- First of all, we must take into account that we have an enemy who has turned terrorism into an ideology. Armenian terror is famous all over the world. We have not forgotten the terrorist acts committed outside Karabakh during the first Karabakh war, on the subway, trains, and buses. Second, if the SSS had not received the information, it would not have taken preventive measures. This is due to both past experience and the fact that the enemy is more likely to resort to terrorism because of the defeat in the current war. Imagine that the Armenian Diaspora is openly threatening French State Television with ASALA in the middle of Paris for broadcasting the truth about Azerbaijan and has the footage deleted; therefore, it is absolutely expected that the Armenian Diaspora will use terrorism in our country. This threat to Azerbaijan can be prepared and carried out by Armenian terrorist organizations and special services, and they can use not only their own nations but also representatives of other nations. This has happened before.

- Before September 27, i.e. before the start of military operations in Azerbaijan, some embassies in the country, especially the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, shared an appeal on the threat of terrorism. This means that foreign embassies are also afraid of the threat of terrorism in Azerbaijan. Are these embassies, as well as the power ministries of Azerbaijan, learning from the terrorist acts committed by Armenians in Azerbaijan in the past, or is this a show of caution regarding martial law?

- It was known that after the events in Tovuz, both sides began serious military preparations. Foreign countries are well aware that the enemy will resort to terrorism to create unrest before military operations. Before the start of the war, the US embassy warned its citizens not to leave Baku as a precautionary measure and, of course, this should be assessed as a result of certain information. As you said, these precautionary measures were both a lesson from the past and the necessary precautionary measures related to martial law.

- Azerbaijan is a country that has been repeatedly subjected to terrorism. But in recent years, there has been no such threat. That is, it has been known as a stable, secure country. Now, warnings of such a threat after the start of military operations with Armenia give reason to say that Azerbaijan is aware that it is specifically fighting a dangerous enemy. Is it possible to say so?

- As I mentioned above, Azerbaijan knows that it is facing a country that turns terrorism into a means of political pressure. In recent years, they did not commit terrorist acts in the territory of Azerbaijan because they considered themselves victorious. For the victorious side, terror and ceasefire violations are not desirable and can make them the target of condemnation. But now they are clearly defeated, so they are expected to resort to terrorism. It should be noted that outside Karabakh, Armenians blew up a Tbilisi-Agdam bus in 1989 in the former Khanlar (now Goygol) district, six people were killed and others were wounded. They twice carried out terror on the Moscow-Baku train. They twice blew up the subway and killed many people. In Karabakh, they twice carried out a terrorist attack by shooting down a helicopter flying to Shusha in 1990 and a helicopter over Garakand on November 20, 1991. Terrorism outside the battlefield is a form of pressure they always use. Missile strikes on Ganja and other cities are similar terrorist acts.

- By the way, Turkey strongly supports Azerbaijan in this conflict. And this country does not have warm relations with Armenia. Turkey's support for Azerbaijan during these military operations, as well as its statements against Armenia, greatly irritated the Armenians. Can there be any terrorist threat or provocation by Armenians and their supporters in Turkey?

- It is absolutely possible and they have the opportunities and resources. It is known that PKK and Armenian terrorists work together. Local Armenians are not excluded, although they are not widely used. However, it is unlikely that they will do so now. Because Armenians are well aware that this will anger Turkey and that Turkey's response may be more ruthless. In this sense, they will try to direct all their efforts to Azerbaijan.

- What should Azerbaijan do to protect against terrorism and provocations? How should it protect itself?

- No state is insured against terrorism. In times of war, the rate of its occurrence increases significantly. Azerbaijani special services should try to obtain preventive information in this regard. The appeal to citizens, the implementation of preventive measures to be vigilant are parts of these measures. I believe that operational and intelligence activities and coordinated work with other law enforcement agencies will help prevent terrorism in time.