Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev Issues New Threats Against Armenia

In a series of aggressive statements made during an interview on January 7, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Armenia of being a "fascist state" and warned of potential actions to eliminate what he described as a regional threat. These comments mark another escalation in Azerbaijan’s rhetoric, raising concerns about the stability of the South Caucasus region.

Aliyev began by condemning any effort to arm Armenia, stating, “Arming Armenia will simply lead to new tensions. We do not want this. We want peace.” However, his assertions of seeking peace were contradicted by his inflammatory characterization of Armenia as a “fascist state.” According to Aliyev, “If this country has been led by proponents of fascist ideology for nearly 30 years, they have shaped this country the way they did.”

The Azerbaijani leader further declared that “fascism must be destroyed” and issued a stark warning: “Either the Armenian leadership will destroy it, or we will. We have no other choice.” Such remarks have sparked fears of renewed aggression against Armenia, which has already endured unimaginable losses in recent years due to Azerbaijan’s policies and actions.

Aliyev’s insistence on the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” has been a major sticking point in relations between the two countries. The proposed corridor would cut through Armenia to connect Azerbaijan with Turkey, effectively undermining Armenia’s territorial integrity. During the interview, Aliyev asserted, “The Zangezur Corridor must and will be opened. The sooner they understand this, the better it is.”

He framed Armenia as an obstacle to regional cooperation, stating, “They should not act as a geographical barrier between Turkey and Azerbaijan.” This rhetoric disregards Armenia’s right to sovereignty and control over its own borders, further straining any prospects for peaceful negotiations.

Aliyev also announced Azerbaijan’s initiative to hold another meeting in January between the Armenian and Azerbaijani commissions on border delimitation and demarcation. While such talks could potentially help ease tensions, they are overshadowed by Aliyev’s aggressive demands and threats. His statement that “If Yerevan doesn’t need a peace treaty, then Baku doesn’t need it either” suggests a lack of genuine commitment to achieving a lasting peace.

In addition to his threats, Aliyev made sweeping statements about the geopolitical landscape, including remarks targeting the so-called "Soros method of governance" and drawing parallels between Armenia’s leadership and historical dictatorships. These comments appear designed to frame Azerbaijan’s actions as necessary for regional stability, while ignoring its own aggressive posture and human rights violations.

“The Soros era has ended in America as well. The Biden administration was, in fact, governed by the Soros method of governance,” President Ilham Aliyev said. “These supporters of Soros are actually losing their positions. The Armenian leadership should take this into account. Let them take into account that their close ally in the Middle East, the Assad dictatorship, has already been consigned to the dustbin of history and this will continue, so they should take the right step. We, as Azerbaijan, are not a source of danger for them. We want peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They should not be in the way. They should not act as a geographical barrier between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The Zangezur corridor must and will be opened. The sooner they understand this, the better it is,” the head of state threatened.

Aliyev’s rhetoric shows the challenges Armenia faces in navigating its future amidst increasing threats and danger from Azerbaijan. His demands for territorial concessions and control over Armenia’s sovereign land signal a broader strategy to weaken and isolate the Armenian state.