Azerbaijan Deploys Troops and Air Defense Systems on Iran Border

Azerbaijan has placed its army on heightened combat readiness and deployed troops to the border with Iran.

The regional outlet OC Media reported on this.

Air defense along the border has also been reinforced, including systems designed to counter drones.

Meanwhile, all leave for soldiers, sergeants, and officers has been canceled, and those service members who were already on leave have been recalled to duty.

The increased military presence comes amid an operation by the United States and Israel against Iran that has been ongoing since late February.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has not yet confirmed or denied these reports and has not provided comments in response to journalists’ inquiries.

With these actions, Baku is likely trying to respond to potential threats of the conflict expanding, as Iran began launching missile and drone strikes on Middle Eastern countries on the very first day, and even attacked a British military base in Cyprus.

It is also possible that the increased military presence is intended to protect the 700-kilometer border with Iran from a potential influx of refugees if the conflict drags on.