Azerbaijan has ruled out sending troops to participate in peacekeeping operations outside its borders, including in Gaza, President Ilham Aliyev announced late Monday.
President Aliyev’s Statement
Speaking in interviews with Azerbaijani television channels, Aliyev emphasized that the country has no plans to deploy its military personnel abroad for such missions. “We prepared a questionnaire of more than 20 questions and provided it to the American side. No participation in peacekeeping forces is envisaged,” he said.
He further clarified his position, stating, “I am not considering participation in hostilities outside Azerbaijan at all.”
Engagement with the United States
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan had been in contact with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the possible operation of a peacekeeping force in Gaza. The discussions included a detailed list of questions about the mission, reflecting Azerbaijan’s cautious approach to any potential involvement.
An Azeri government source had previously indicated in November that Azerbaijan would not send troops for such an operation unless there was a complete halt to fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas. This position aligns with the country’s current stance on avoiding involvement in conflicts outside its borders.
