2020 October 13

Daily news and anti-corruption report

Oct/13/2020 wrap-up: \\ War in Artsakh (Karabakh) \\ Azerbaijan targets civilian population again \\ Azerbaijan's Syrian jihadists reveal more details about deployment and conditions; some of them revolt and get arrested in Syria \\ battles in north & south \\ analysis & army briefing \\ casualties
by ar_david_hh

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Prior events:

October 12, October 11 , October 10, October 9 , October 8 , October 7, October 6, October 5, October 4, October 3, October 2, October 1, September 30, September 29, September 28, September 27

some jihadists want to leave Azerbaijan

Yesterday we learned about a Middle Eastern journalist who reported the death of 51 jihadists and spoke with one of their friends.

Syrian outlet Jisr (Джиср) reports that the bodies of some jihadists were transported back to Syria in meat trucks in secrecy. Only their families were allowed to pay farewell at night.

The outlet's source says 300 of the Karabakh-based mercenary militants have asked Turkey to send them back to Syria because Azeris won't let them take proper rest.

Video. Graphic: https://t.me/infoteka24/8764

"militant recruiter blown up in an act of revenge"

EaDaily reports: a vehicle belonging to one of the commanders who recruited militants for Azerbaijan, was blown up in northern Syria.

His friends believe it was an act of revenge carried out by the family of one of the militants who was killed in Karabakh.

The incident took place in Barad, Northern Syria. The target was Hamza Division commander Abu Jaber. A video was recorded allegedly showing the burning car and a photo of the gravely wounded commander in the hospital.

Officially, this [pro-Turkish] Hamza Division accused the Kurdish PKK of being behind the bombing.

Meanwhile, another video was published yesterday showing Syrian militants, dressed in Azeri uniforms and using Azeri armored vehicles, fighting in Karabakh.

https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2020/10/12/za-smert-boevika-v-nagornom-karabahe-v-sirii-podorvali-glavu-gruppirovki#pid=2

https://factor.am/294953.html

a Syrian militant reveals details about their conditions

The National article: "Turkey's Syrian militias in Nagorno-Karabakh ask: 'Why are we here?"

“I'm talking to you now from an underground bunker where we had to run away,” said Ibrahim, 24, a member of [pro-Turkish] Sultan Murad Brigade, in a phone call with The National earlier in the week.

He complained about Armenian airstrikes and losing many friends.

'I don't know what we are doing here. Even money is not a reason to be in this horror movie. The Turks put us in such a position that we can't any more escape from here. I hope we will be able to come back with our legs and arms," said Ibrahim.

His location, shared over WhatsApp, showed he was near Akhmedalylar, close to Iran. It is 1,300km from the refugee camp in which his family lives near the town of Sarmada at the Syrian-Turkish border.

Ibrahim said that 3 weeks ago, one of the militia officers asked for volunteers for Turkish operations in Azerbaijan. "Many of us refused after they saw what happened in Turkey’s intervention in Libya. But I thought I could make money."

He was paid $1,300 for 3 months on September 24th, three days before the war began.

He was then taken to Kilis, Gaziantep, Ankara, Baku. He estimates 3,000 militants are present in Azerbaijan.

“They gave us food, military uniforms and equipment like sniper rifles and anti-tank rockets, but we are under heavy bombardment. On Friday alone we lost six men and 30 of us were injured."

Last Saturday, Mohammed, a young fighter from Maaret Al Numan, was declared dead. A picture of him in an olive grove in happier times was shared with The National by his close friends.

... in other news...

"[Another militant] said that of the 200 fighters with whom he went to Libya, only about half returned. Families are still waiting for the compensation that Turkey promised."

Full story: https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/turkey-s-syrian-militias-in-nagorno-karabakh-ask-why-are-we-here-1.1091322

https://news.am/arm/news/607697.html

To jihad or not to jihad? That's the question

Al-Mayadeen media correspondent has learned that the Turkish-backed Hamza Division in Afrin, Syria has arrested 13 of its members for refusing to fight for Azerbaijan.

The supporters of the Syrian rebel group "Free Syrian Army" have condemned the arrests, stating that 400 have so far refused to join Azerbaijan.

https://twitter.com/AlMayadeenLive/status/1316034665778683904

https://twitter.com/517design/status/1316056257049104390

https://twitter.com/517design/status/1316060196096167941?s=20

purchasing politicians is one way to keep them quiet about your terrorism

"How Azerbaijan Is Lobbying Washington To Sanitize Its War"

Azerbaijan hired several law firms to lobby for them in the United States. Among them is VP candidate Kamala Harris's husband's "DLA Piper" firm.

Harris's husband had earlier announced plans to "transition his clients to different attorneys in the firm" to avoid "conflict of interest" if his wife becomes the VP.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/as-war-rages-azerbaijan-pumps-money-and-propaganda-into-u-s-lobbying-machine/

https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/08/17/emhoff-kamala-harris-spouse-taking-leave-from-dla/

https://twitter.com/MarkAmesExiled/status/1315739524098674689

a few more things from yesterday

A new self-explanatory animation by KillDim production:

https://www.facebook.com/killldim/videos/704831950125267

About yesterday's huge demonstration in Los Angeles

https://youtu.be/lu6RIJDY5-c

The ex-president of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili was punched in the head by unknown men while meeting a group of Georgians in Athens, Greece. Tear gas had to be used. Saakashvili is a divisive figure in Georgia and has a criminal warrant against him.

https://youtu.be/M6OS8x42UM0?t=4

https://tass.com/world/1211411

October 13th arrives / the battlefield / international response / donations

23:41: a short film about the Republic of Artsakh.

https://t.me/infoteka24/8779

00:01: a group of French doctors, specialized in war wounds, have arrived in Armenia for weeklong assistance.

https://t.me/reartsakheng/530

00:15: the Armenian army reported about the death of 4,900 Azeri soldiers. Since the data is classified in Azerbaijan, social media and other sources are being scrapped by various activists to find the identities of the deceased. 517 Azeri names have already been identified so far. Another 160 being verified ATM.

https://t.me/infoteka24/8765

00:35: Russian journalist Yuri Kotenok was wounded after the Azeri drone/missile bombed the Shushi church. He released a video from the hospital, calling Azerbaijan's deliberate targeting of civilians a "genocide".

https://t.me/infoteka24/8766

1:43: Israeli activist Elie Joseph organized a hunger strike and sued the Israeli government to stop the sale of suicide drones to Azerbaijan. The Israeli court, however, rejected his petition, stating that the activist hadn't provided "enough evidence that the drones were used for war crimes."

The Armenian community leader in Israel joined the calls to suspend the drone sales to Azerbaijan.

https://factor.am/294876.html

https://t.me/reartsakh/4812

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031484.html

22:42: 13-year-old Robert and his family were fleeing Martakert in their car when an Israeli-made Azeri drone targeted their car. All family members received wounds. Robert spent 5 days in a coma.

Photo: https://news.am/arm/news/607781.html

2:18: Artsakh president Arayik Harutyunyan has a new fanboy?

The largest state-backed Iranian media outlet IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) published Arayik's photo with an iconic finger pointing in the air, and mentioned how Arayik criticized the Israeli government for supplying the suicide drones to Azerbaijan, which are being used to target civilians.

Arayik had earlier invited Iran to join Artsakh in the fight against Syrian jihadists recruited by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The article also mentions how the army spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan accused Israel of continuing the drone supplies disguised as humanitarian aid.

https://www.irna.ir/news/84071998/ارمنستان-تل-آویو-آتش-بیار-جنگ-قره-باغ-است

https://t.me/reartsakh/4813

At night, the Azeri army continued to bomb three civilian settlements. A house caught a fire in Martakert.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031428.html

9:22 MoD: the battlefield was stable-tense at night. Azeris resumed the attack on 3 fronts in the morning. Northeast was the most active. Our units take adequate actions in all directions to silence the enemy's fire and keep the operative-tactical situation under our control.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031419.html

9:28 MoD: Azerbaijan's claims about us firing at Tartar city is false. They need a pretense to bomb our civilian settlements again.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031420.html

10:22 army: Azerbaijan has so far lost 5139 soldiers (KIA), 4 TOS missile units, 521 tanks and armored vehicles, 18 aircrafts, 16 helicopters, 173 drones, etc.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031421.html

10:48: army published the names of 17 more Armenian soldiers who died in the battlefield, and clarified that the names of 10 soldiers were erroneously added to the list yesterday. 532 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031424.html

10:49: video from the front line showing the defenders of the northern front. Azeris had tried to capture a position at 3,300m height but were repelled after sustaining heavy losses.

Soldiers: beginning 8:30 they began heavily bombing for 2 hours and launched an attack with ~60 men. 30 of them intruded in our territory but couldn't infiltrate our position. Our boys knew what to do. One of ours was wounded.

https://youtu.be/CytFHxqeBvg

Photos: https://factor.am/294750.html

10:58: MFA Mnatsakanyan is holding a meeting with Minks Group co-chairs.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031425.html

11:03 army spokesman: the veterans of the First Karabakh War should know that their sons not only successfully continue their work but they exceed them in many ways.

https://news.am/arm/news/607664.html

11:18: Artsakh Parliament passed a bill to create a new "աշխարհազոր" army consisted of anyone who wishes to volunteer. Men and women, young and old, who aren't already in the army reserves, will be able to sign up, undergo training, and receive a weapon.

Artsakh president Arayik called upon everyone to unite and "help break the enemy's back to secure our right for a peaceful existence."

It's similar to the bill in the Armenian Parliament that was scheduled for a vote before the war.

"In the coming hours and days, our army will be replenished with our citizens with rich experience and knowledge of professional warfare and military service, whose participation will significantly contribute to increasing the effectiveness of our troops on the battlefield."

https://factor.am/294794.html

https://factor.am/294904.html

https://factor.am/295084.html

11:32: a drone [visibly Azerbaijan's Harop] crashed in northern Iran, not far from the Artsakh border. Iran's govt-run news agency IRNA says the authorities are investigating whose it is and how it crashed.

Video: https://youtu.be/N__FmDNDoI4

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031429.html , https://factor.am/294827.html , https://fip.am/13310

11:56: the World Monument Foundation has sharply criticized the acts of destroying cultural heritage buildings, after learning that Azerbaijan bombed the church in Shuchi. They asked both sides to refrain from damaging such buildings.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031431.html

12:04 Artsakh govt: the enemy launched a new large scale attack again. Peaceful settlements are also being shelled by artillery. Several thousand mercenary terrorists are taking part in the military operations on the Azerbaijani side.

Our army is fighting hard, trying to stop the enemy's offensive operations. Every effort must be made to inflict great losses on the enemy to ensure victory in this patriotic war.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031433.html

12:21: Orber Center is one of the groups that try to find the identities of the deceased Azeri soldiers. They identified 619 names by checking non-govt sources because Azerbaijan officially keeps it secret. More is yet to be identified.

Names: https://factor.am/294855.html

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031434.html

12:23 army spokesman: Our troops are currently fighting heroically and persistently.

https://factor.am/294840.html

12:24: Artsakh army published footage showing the aftermath of a battle that left numerous Azeri soldiers dead. Presumably in the north. "The enemy continues to suffer heavy losses."

Graphic but blurred: https://youtu.be/hd7mMaoBUzA

https://news.am/arm/news/607678.html

12:27: army released footage showing the destruction of an Azeri tank.

https://youtu.be/c_s-owNSLfY

12:57: a Parliament MP has urged the public not to delay their planned purchases and spend it now to help boost the economy and generate taxes. "Don't worry about the optics of going to a cafe and purchasing clothes in the mall."

https://news.am/arm/news/607690.html

12:58: Azerbaijan is caught with allegedly bribing the now-former President of the International Federation of United Wrestling Styles Rafael Martinetti.

Rafael is accused of accepting large sums from Azeri officials possibly as a bribe or money laundering. The Swiss media writes that Azeris "donated" him 6 million Franks in 2012, which he illegally kept secret and didn't mention in the wealth declaration forms.

A year after the bribe, in 2013, the Olympics Committee decided to remove the Wrestling from the Olympics games due to it being mired in corruption, but later decided to keep it, after Rafael resigned as Wrestling committee president.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031438.html

By the way, Azerbaijan also purchased gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics.

https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/fixing-the-olympics-azerbaijans-boxing-scandal

13:23: Armenian MoD met an Iranian colleague to discuss the war and the presence of terrorists deployed by Azerbaijan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031443.html

13:42: Russian MoD Shoygu expressed concerns over the news about the presence of Syrian militants in Karabakh front, and urged a ceasefire.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031444.html

13:50: in other news, four Syrian militants were neutralized in Chechnia, Southern Russia. Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov says the militants came from Syria. "The locals helped us identify them. Unfortunately, two officers died during the operation. The militants had plans to commit acts of terror."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031457.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031447.html

https://tass.com/emergencies/1211683

14:07: after Azeris entered the north-eastern village Mataghis last week, one of their soldiers uploaded a video shit-talking Russia and the CSTO military alliance.

https://infoteka24.ru/2020/10/13/72351/ , https://t.me/infoteka24/8787

14:37: video from a humanitarian center showing activists gathering aid for Artsakh residents, with the help of shipping companies like Globbing. "They are working like bees."

https://youtu.be/2rTdwBOkVzA

14:45: Georgian MFA says they prohibited the transfer of weapons over land and air since the escalation. "Only humanitarian and passenger flights are allowed," said the MFA, adding that they'll take appropriate steps if they find out that a humanitarian flight transports military equipment.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031451.html

15:00: Prince Abdulrahman bin Musad bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has joined the calls to boycott Turkish products after Turkey installed a military base in Qatar and bragged about its role in the Persian Gulf.

Saudi Arabia has recently begun officially pressuring its businesses to boycott Turkish products.

https://factor.am/294892.html

15:20: President Sarkissian gave an interview to the Russian RT outlet and spoke about Turkey's involvement in the conflict and the targeting of civilians.

https://youtu.be/VmrKytw1k3g

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031456.html

15:30: this little boy organized a charity show to pull a car with a rope. The donations will be sent to the army. https://youtu.be/kGTqu67dmz0

This little girl sells handmade bracelets for 25 cents a piece to help the army.

https://youtu.be/KXMAdxg1Wdk

15:51: MFA Mnatsakanyan gave an interview to BBC Newshour

https://factor.am/294927.html

16:02: the United States, the Russian church, Minks co-chairs, and others, have called for both sides to respect the ceasefire.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031463.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031464.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031466.html

16:33: 673 pieces of Turkish and Israeli-made illegal cluster bombs and other missiles have been discovered in the capital Stepanakert so far. They'll be transported outside the city for safe detonation.

https://youtu.be/1uu56Z4MX_Y

https://factor.am/294961.html

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031490.html

16:40: the Armenian community of Estonia held a demonstration in Tallin in support of Artsakh.

Photos: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031465.html\

16:42: the aerial footage of the Shushi church that was bombed by Azerbaijan last week.

https://youtu.be/pICPtmPVgOs

17:02: this goldfish managed to survive a severe bombardment of a house in Stepanakert. The owner plans to release it and make a wish.

https://infocom.am/Article/38749 , https://t.me/infocomm/23168

17:30: High-Tech Minister says the domestic drone production and military equipment repair industry is working around the clock.

https://factor.am/294996.html

17:38: Azeri infiltrators had earlier entered the southern town of Hadrut before being pushed out. Today Azeris uploaded images of a flag to satisfy Aliyev, supposedly installed on a building in Hadrut, but it was revealed as not being from Hadrut but rather a suburb, which matches the official Armenian statement that Azeris were pushed to an outskirt of Hadrut. It is also unclear when the photo was taken.

https://t.me/reartsakh/4838

17:59: the legend of Azniv Khanum continues. The Azeri media circulated fake photos about an Armenian woman in Stepanakert allegedly installing a sign in front of her houses that reads "welcome" in Azeri language.

https://t.me/infocomm/23175

17:50: Slovakian government has donated $25,000 to Artsakh through the Red Cross.

https://t.me/infocomm/23173

18:10: Italian-Armenians held a demonstration in Rome's Monte Citorio square, urging the govt to recognize the Artsakh Republic.

They were joined by former Prime Minister Matteo Salvini who expressed solidarity with Armenians. "We must not forget the suffering of the people close to us. If Europe means something to you, then defend our brothers who are the bastion of European civilization in the Caucasus and the Middle East."

https://www.facebook.com/salviniofficial/posts/10158143981178155

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031479.html

https://news.am/arm/news/607762.html , https://news.am/arm/news/607762.html

18:27: the city council of Kragero, Norway, joined by the current and three previous mayors, signed a resolution condemning the aggression against Artsakh.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031480.html

18:41: the Pontic Greek community donated $100,000 to Artsakh via www.HimnaDram.org

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/286495/

18:55: MFA Mnatsakanyan met Russia's Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031481.html

19:45: France is concerned about Turkey's role in Artsakh and "expects answers".

https://news.am/arm/news/607758.html

19:51: PM Pashinyan spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte about the right for people's self-determination and the Turkish-Azeri aggression against Artsakh.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031492.html

20:00: Armenian demonstrators marched between the UN office and the Russian embassy and called for the official recognition of the Artsakh Republic.

https://youtu.be/p3PRoVDlB9A

20:44: ladies in Gyumri are sewing clothes for the soldiers in the front lines. "Our production was small, but as soon as the war broke out, we started sewing water-resistant clothes and sleeping bags, which are a basic necessity for the soldiers, because my brother, being a participant in the 2016 battles, said that it was more important to have dry clothes than food."

https://factor.am/295036.html

20:45 world chess champion Garry Kasparov: "Starting point of Karabakh tragedy is Sumgait pogrom."

"Lenin, who viewed Turkey as the main ally, transferred two territories - Nakhichevan, populated in half by Armenians and Azerbaijanis, and Karabakh, inhabited exclusively by Armenians, to Azerbaijan. In fact, there is one detail that fundamentally separates the problem of Karabakh with Crimea and many other problems.

The law of the Soviet Union, which was adopted in 1990, provided for a fairly clear rule for the secession of the union republic, and it was clearly stated that the autonomous republics and national groups of compact residence should vote separately. And in the event of this disintegration, they have the right to their own self-determination.

This is a very important point that many people ignore now. Therefore, the question of Azerbaijan's sovereignty is dubious."

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/286492/Garry_Kasparov_Starting_point_of_Karabakh_tragedy_is_Sumgait_pogrom

https://t.me/reartsakheng/573

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21:00 army spokesman's briefing: in the morning, Azeris launched an attack in 4 directions. The northern section was intense. After a heavy bombardment, they launched an attack. There have been very few instances of such fierce battles in this war. Our army was able to throw them back and inflict heavy losses on them.

The battles continued elsewhere, too. The opponent has no significant advancements. In the past few days, Azeris adopted a new strategy. They form infiltration groups for quick entry in various settlements to quickly plant a flag for video-taping and propaganda purposes. It's mainly done for the Azeri public, but they also try to use it as psychological pressure against Armenia.

For a while now, after losing their attack potential and not gaining any significant achievements on the battlefield, they need to feed the Azeri public with such propaganda.

In the past 15 days, Azerbaijan's 4 military Corps achieved what a single Brigade was supposed to achieve. [basically, 50,000 did what 5,000 could normally do?]. They have no room to brag. Any international military expert with elementary knowledge can verify this.

This is why they need to quickly infiltrate settlements, take pictures with buildings, claim they are at the city halls, etc.

The situation in Hadrut is still the same. It's a mountainous and forest area. There can be infiltration attempts by Azeris.

Don't forget about defending yourself from COVID. We're seeing increasing numbers.

https://youtu.be/H1LsppEJbg4

https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Զորագունդ

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21:30: the Evangelical People's Party of Switzerland has sent a letter to the Swiss Parliament and MFA, urging an "immediate intervention to stop Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh", citing a threat of genocide, the bombardment of civilian settlements, the Turkish involvement.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031498.html

21:40: the Russian-Armenian community has been sending 10s of 1000s of tons of aid to Artsakh.

https://youtu.be/XU2jJ6OuMGw

22:46: Armenians held a demonstration in front of the Parliament building in Paris.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/198597

23:29: U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff has called for the United States to officially recognize the independence of the Artsakh Republic.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031507.html

23:30: Russian ANNA military reporters released footage from front lines, featuring soldiers who shot down 6 drones and enemy personnel, and their opinion on the so-called "ceasefire".

https://youtu.be/q4EpmNShlqQ

23:37: Pashinyan gave an interview to Reuters and spoke about Turkey's aggression and "their goal to complete the genocide".

https://www.facebook.com/nikol.pashinyan/posts/2778757912444586

23:38: as of right now, 31 civilians have been killed and 106 wounded in Artsakh.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1031508.html

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Worldwide donations to Artsakh: www.HimnaDram.org

Tax-deductable for Americans: www.ArmeniaFund.org

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You've read 3259 words.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/jamc3h/oct132020_wrapup_war_in_artsakh_karabakh/

Disclaimer: All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, even if they may sound as being guilty. Currency in Armenian Drams ֏ unless specified otherwise. Helpful overview of Armenia's media ownership and leanings.