Middle East Eye reports that during the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, Turkish special services “neutralized” the chief of the Azerbaijani general staff, Najmeddin Sadigov, who was considered a pro-Russian figure. A source familiar with the situation told Middle East Eye that Turkish officials arranged for his removal, took him to Turkey for questioning, and then allowed him to return to Russia.
Ankara has also supplied Azerbaijan with attack drones, electronic warfare systems, and reconnaissance equipment, as well as facilitated the participation of some Syrian fighters in the conflict. Turkish officials have also been involved in identifying and suppressing pro-Russian elements within the Azerbaijani army.
A senior regional diplomat told MEE that Russia could target Azerbaijan’s large diaspora, which is made up of 2-3 million ethnic Azerbaijanis.
Moscow may also seize assets in Russia belonging to the Aliyev family and related oligarchs. Among those in the spotlight are Azerbaijani billionaires God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev.
