Turkey Decides to Keep Troops in Azerbaijan Sparks Concerns of Turkey's Occupation of Azerbaijan

Turkey has expressed its intention to extend the deployment of its troops in Azerbaijan for an additional year. A bill proposing the extension of the term of service for Turkish armed forces in Azerbaijan has been submitted to the Turkish parliament, signaling a continuation of measures outlined in the tripartite statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia on November 9, 2020.

The bill, endorsed by the head of Turkey, shows Turkey's commitment to the ongoing implementation of the measures outlined in the trilateral agreement. This move follows the military aggression by Azerbaijan on September 19-20 of this year, leading to the occupation of the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the forced displacement of its indigenous Armenian population.

Despite the altered circumstances on the ground and the absence of apparent threats, the bill signals Turkey's reluctance to withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan. Critics argue that with Azerbaijan now in control of Nagorno-Karabakh, there appears to be no compelling justification for the continued presence of Turkish forces in the region.

The situation has prompted questions about Turkey's strategic objectives and intentions, with some observers expressing concern that predictions made by certain political scientists about Turkey's potential occupation of Azerbaijan are beginning to materialize. The move to extend the presence of Turkish troops in Azerbaijan is expected to add a new layer of complexity to the delicate geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus.

As this development unfolds, it remains to be seen how regional actors, including Armenia and Russia, will respond to Turkey's decision, and whether it will impact the broader dynamics of the region. The potential extension of Turkey's military presence in Azerbaijan is likely to be closely monitored by international observers and policymakers alike.