“Azerbaijani army has claimed a huge credit for defeating Armenians in the 44 days of war which ended with a ceasefire on November 10, 2020, ensuring the return of all occupied districts around Nagorno-Karabakh under the control of Baku. A number of territories within the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh, including Shusha, a citadel-like city, were also captured by the Azeri forces.
Western military experts initially had shown skepticism, pointing out the lack of proper strategy and defensibility of the Armenian positions, which they mistakenly predicted could result in a long, protracted war of attrition in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani army proved them all wrong. While also suffering heavy losses, it eventually gained the upper hand overrunning Armenian defenses with a proper and methodical strategy using hi-tech military drones strikes to soften Armenian defences. Its adversary’s resistance almost collapsed after the loss of Shusha, a highly defensible city which fell in an uphill battle on November 8.
However, some questions arose and continue to remain regarding the leadership and top generals and other military officials of the Azerbaijani army. The puzzle started with Najmeddin Sadikov, chief of staff of the Azerbaijani army, first deputy defense minister. Serving in his position since 1993, Sadikov has managed to establish a close relationship with various Azerbaijani governments. But Sadikov has increasingly grown unpopular with the Azeri public in recent years, due to corruption allegations in the Azerbaijani army leveled against him. Pro-Turkish nationalists point out his ties with the Russian establishment, some even accusing him of treason. When hostilities flared up between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, 2020, Najmeddin Sadikov was almost not visible, though being the chief of staff of an army which was conducting a war. He only once appeared in a photo published by the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, presumably directing military operations along with other top military officials.
Later, information about him was removed from the website of the ministry, and as of now, a webpage to reflect information about the chief of staff, first deputy minister of defense of Azerbaijan appears blank. Furthermore, some social media accounts claimed that Najmeddin Sadikov has been arrested on charges of treason amidst the military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. So far, the Azerbaijani government has neither officially confirmed nor denied whether Sadikov has been dismissed from his position or arrested.
Uncertainties and controversies surrounding other Azeri high military officials have even multiplied after the country declared victory in the war against Armenia on November 10.
Initially, debates on social media sparked over decoration and awarding of military personnel for their distinction in fighting. Some social media users frowned upon awarding a title of national hero to Ibad Huseynov, a military, who fought during the first Karabakh war in the 1990s, but it’s not known if he also fought in the recent conflict. Moreover, a number of people, including war veterans, accuse Huseynov of falsely claiming that he killed and beheaded Monte Melkonyan, a US-born Armenian militant and commander who also fought in the first Nagorno-Karabakh war. Some nationalists prefer to believe Ibad Huseynov’s account, though an Azeri general also refuted his claim, and video footages of Melkonyan’s burial clearly show his head on his body. Thus, those who consider Huseynov a mere impostor, wonder why he should be titled as a national hero.
Others questioned the awarding of Afgan Sadiqov, a general, who had been recently arrested on corruption charges, for his alleged services during the war. Later commuted to house arrest, Sadigov is said to have directed military operations at various sections of the front. According to different social media claims, while military officers with flawed reputations were awarded or decorated, those who really fought with distinction were left abandoned or unawarded.
Tehran Mansimov, a commander of the Azeri special forces, who is said to have led a successful attack in the battle of Shusha, not only received any military honor, but was relieved from his duties. Some social media stories claim that he has been punished for disobeying the order to retreat from Kahnkendi (Stepanakert in Armenian), the separatists’ capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, where he had infiltrated. Under the ceasefire agreement, the city stays in an area guarded by Russian peacekeeper troops. A media report also points out his alleged close relationship with Najmeddin Sadikov.
Others even dispute the credibility of Mansimov’s combat successes, saying he became popular thanks to spreading videos and photos of himself on social media. Rovshan Akbarov, another Azerbaijani general, said he left the army shortly after the hostilities ended, according to the pro-government media, a move also seen as unexpected.
As critical information is usually not provided or commented on by Azerbaijani official sources, the situation around Azerbaijani military officers stays subject to social media allegations and unverified gossip. The silence of officials on important issues concerning the military fuels further uncertainty and speculations.
