The explosion in Khankendi: a diversion or an incident?

On the evening of September 25, a fuel depot exploded near Khankendi. It is reported that many people were killed and injured as a result of the explosion, although the exact figures were not disclosed. Whether the explosion was an accident or a diversion, there is no specific information.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter) that since September 25, hospitals in Aghdam, Sabirabad and Saatli are ready to receive a significant number of patients from Khankendi. According to him, additional medical personnel were also sent to these hospitals.

Hikmet Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan regularly works with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and directly with the Armenian residents of Karabakh to respond to humanitarian needs in the region.

Also, a helicopter with medical personnel was provided with access from Armenia to Karabakh for those in need of medical care. In addition, at present, for the evacuation and delivery of aid to the Goris - Kafan - Eyvazli- Fizuli-Shusha–Khankendi road, we are working on providing the ICRC with the possibility of exclusive entry," Hajiyev added.

Do you think the explosion that took place was a provocation or an ordinary carelessness?

Security expert Ilham Ismail tells about the versions spread on social networks, as well as in society.

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Question: Was the explosion at the fuel depot in Khankendi a provocation or was it caused by ordinary carelessness?

Answer: When a message about an explosion appears, recent events are taken into account, naturally, the version of sabotage comes to mind first, but an analysis of additional information received in a very short time showed that this was not a sabotage. This explosion is not beneficial to either side. Therefore, I believe that this is not a diversion, but a catastrophe that occurred due to carelessness and entailed serious consequences.

Question: There are versions that the explosion was a provocation against Azerbaijan after he announced that he would send humanitarian aid and gasoline to Armenians living in Karabakh. The first version is that Azerbaijan, allegedly with its help, actually committed a sabotage against the Armenians, trying to "destroy" them in this way. The second version is that it was the third forces, knowing that it was Azerbaijan that was providing assistance, who wanted to incite the conflict by committing this sabotage, to blame Azerbaijan. Which of these versions looks more logical?

Answer: The voiced versions are rather provocative in nature. Who was injured when the gas station was blown up? Of course, the local Armenian population. By conducting an anti-terrorist operation, Azerbaijan was disabling only the military infrastructure. If his goal was to "destroy the Armenians in this way," he would have easily done it during the operation. As for the "incitement of conflict" by a third force, introducing in any form an "element of discord" into a conflict lasting more than 35 years is devoid of logic. Discord was introduced a long time ago and there is no need for a new one, because there is no reconciliation. These versions are meaningless.

Question: Can Russia itself, Iran or Armenia, which we are talking about, be a third party in this matter?

Answer: It may briefly dawn on the idea that the Armenians could resort to such a provocation, since their receipt of fuel and exodus from the region casts doubt on the prospect of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh. But there is a bitter truth that instantly refutes this version. Won't fuel be supplied at the gas station in Khankendi after the destruction of the material? Azerbaijan has already sent additional combustible materials and will continue to do so. Although Iran is monitoring the processes in Karabakh, it does not plan to interfere in it in any form. If Armenia wanted to stage such a provocation against Azerbaijan, then now all its propaganda resources would blame Azerbaijan. There was no such accusation, even one of the most ardent separatists, David Babayan, in his statement called the incident "criminal negligence" and completely denied the option of sabotage.

Question: Azerbaijan has taken significant steps to help the wounded. The injured Armenians were taken to hospitals in other cities and districts of Azerbaijan. How has Azerbaijan shown itself in this process?

Answer: The steps taken by Azerbaijan after the end of the local anti-terrorist operation are based on true humanistic principles. That is, even before the explosion, our military provided the local population, especially women and children, with the necessary primary medical and other assistance. And after the explosion, they created conditions for the delivery of the victims both to our medical institutions and to Armenia. The free passage of ambulances from Armenia along the Lachyn road has been ensured. Moreover, the Ministry of Emergency Situations planned to send fire trucks to prevent possible fires and conduct control checks at some fire-hazardous facilities.

Question: What measures should government agencies take to prevent such incidents?

Answer: Since we do not yet fully control Khankendi and its surroundings, it is impossible for the state to implement comprehensive measures in these places. But it is possible that at the next negotiations the parties will be able to agree on the creation of such a control mechanism.