Category: Azer News

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg separatist group fighting the Malian government, has disclosed direct contacts with Russia’s Africa Corps and called for dialogue with Trkiye as part of efforts to find a political solution to Mali’s deepening crisis.

FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane told Middle East Eye that the group hopes to engage with Ankara, whose growing influence in Mali has made Trkiye an increasingly important player in the country.

The FLA is currently fighting Malian government forces alongside Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an armed group aligned with al-Qaeda. Despite coordinating military operations, the two groups have fundamentally different objectives.

The FLA seeks autonomy for the Tuareg-dominated Azawad region in northeastern Mali, while JNIM aims to overthrow the Malian government.

The alliance has enabled the groups to coordinate offensives, seize towns and military bases and impose pressure on the capital Bamako. The conflict has also resulted in the killing of Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara, according to the report.

Russia’s growing role

The situation marks a major shift from the period when French and other Western forces supported the Malian government in its fight against JNIM and its predecessors.

Mali has since deepened its military relationship with Moscow. Russia deployed Wagner Group personnel to the country in 2022, while the Russian military presence was subsequently reorganized under the Africa Corps following Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny against President Vladimir Putin in 2023.

However, the Russian deployment has faced challenges in northern Mali.

An FLA and JNIM offensive in April highlighted vulnerabilities in Russia’s position in the region, with Africa Corps personnel withdrawing from the strategic city of Kidal before it was captured by the FLA.

Further reports emerged in July of possible arrangements between the FLA and Africa Corps during fighting around Anefis, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Kidal.

Ramadane confirmed that the FLA had maintained direct contact with Africa Corps personnel but stressed that the exchanges should not be interpreted as political negotiations or a strategic rapprochement between the two sides.

The disclosure highlights the increasingly fluid alliances surrounding Mali’s conflict, where separatist, Islamist and state forces are pursuing competing objectives while external powers seek to expand their influence.

Against this backdrop, the FLA’s call for dialogue with Trkiye suggests that Ankara could potentially play a role in future efforts to address the political dimensions of the conflict.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has instructed the military’s top legal adviser to examine possible legal action against the filmmakers behind the documentary NAZA, despite acknowledging that he has not watched the film in full.

Zamir said the documentary ‘is an attack on the State of Israel,’ adding that the military ‘will not allow IDF soldiers to be made targets through lies and blood libels’ and would use ‘every tool at our disposal’ against it.

The IDF chief said he had instructed the military’s top lawyer to ‘advance possible legal measures concerning the film and those involved in it,’ citing what he described as the documentary’s ‘potential implications’ for soldiers’ safety and Israel’s national security.

However, an IDF source said the military does not know what claims are made in the documentary beyond what it has seen in a short trailer. As a result, the army cannot currently respond to or investigate the film’s allegations, according to the source.

The IDF also said the filmmakers had not approached the military for a response to the claims presented in the documentary.

The Open Azerbaijan Sailing Championship has concluded in Baku following three days of competition.

The tournament featured sailors from Azerbaijan and Turkiye, who competed in the Optimist and ILCA 4 classes.

The championship was jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Azerbaijan Water Sports Federation. The races were held at the federation’s Sailing Center near Shikhov Beach, with competitors taking part in the Optimist and ILCA 4 classes.

During the three-day competition, sailors competed in a series of races along routes set according to wind direction and speed. The final standings were determined by the points accumulated across all races.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov highlighted the state’s support for sport in Azerbaijan. He welcomed both the Azerbaijani sailors and Turkish participants, praised the organization of the championship and congratulated the athletes, wishing them success in future competitions.

The winners received medals, diplomas and gifts from the federation, while all participating athletes were presented with certificates.

The names of Kamal Bashirli, the 2025 Azerbaijan champion in the Optimist class, and Davud Babazade, the 2025 champion in ILCA 4, were also added to the traditional Sailing Hall of Fame.

The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of certificates to participants of the Summer School in sailing, rowing and canoeing organized by the Azerbaijan Water Sports Federation.

The Donald Trump administration has repealed regulations that limited greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants in the United States.

The decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overturns a rule introduced under former President Joe Biden. The regulation required existing coal-fired power plants and new gas-fired plants to capture up to 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the EPA, repealing the rule is expected to help lower electricity prices and reduce costs for energy producers and consumers. The agency estimates that the decision could result in about $310 billion in savings.

The energy sector accounts for roughly a quarter of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. However, environmental experts warn that removing the restrictions could lead to higher levels of air pollution. Researchers at New York University say the policy change could contribute to thousands of additional premature deaths, particularly as extreme heat and wildfires become more frequent.

The decision has sparked a wider debate over the balance between affordable energy and environmental protection. Supporters argue that fewer regulations will encourage investment in traditional energy sources, while critics fear that the long-term health and climate costs could outweigh the economic benefits.

A meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is planned to take place in New York.

Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said this in response to an inquiry from Trend.

He noted that the meeting is expected to take place this month.

It should be recalled that on September 9, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told journalists on the sidelines of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026) that a meeting with his Armenian counterpart could take place in the near future.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia had held exchanges of views in recent weeks on the sidelines of events in Bishkek.

New geopolitical developments are creating fresh opportunities for Trkiye in its relations with China and Azerbaijan, while changing security dynamics in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz are also opening new prospects in energy security, according to comments on the evolving regional landscape. Fariz Ismayilzade, Azerbaijani Deputy of Milli Majlis and Vice-Rector of ADA University, said this at the panel discussion of the ‘Turkic World Dialogues: Common Future and Common Vision’ event, held in Baku.

“The developments are creating conditions for the implementation of new programmes while opening additional opportunities for regional cooperation, particularly between Trkiye and Azerbaijan,” he emphasised.

Touching on the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Fariz Ismayilzade said that the changing security environment has also prompted Trkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries to call for new defence and security mechanisms. “Steps are already being taken in the Arab world and the wider Middle East towards establishing new security arrangements, creating additional opportunities for Trkiye to play a more active role,” he underlined.

According to Ismayilzade, the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the new challenges facing global energy security are also emerging as major strategic issues.

“For Trkiye, these developments could have particular significance because of the country’s energy needs and its position as a major transit hub between energy-producing regions and European markets. The changing circumstances could therefore create new strategic perspectives for Ankara as it seeks to strengthen its energy security and regional role.

Trkiye is expected to become more actively involved in these processes in the period ahead, while the participation of additional countries could further reshape the regional balance.

Against this backdrop, close coordination between Trkiye and Azerbaijan will be particularly important.

The two countries should coordinate their steps as closely as possible, ensuring that their respective policies and initiatives reinforce one another amid rapidly changing geopolitical conditions.

The emerging environment could ultimately strengthen both countries, with Trkiye and Azerbaijan potentially emerging from the current geopolitical shifts in a stronger and more resilient position,” he said.

Technology reshaping future warfare

During the panel discussion, the deputy also touched on Trkiye’s breakthrough in technology, calling it another critical dimension of the changing security landscape.

Rapid technological advances are transforming industries and production processes while also fundamentally changing how wars are fought and how military capabilities are developed.

These changes are particularly significant for military force-building. Traditional approaches to developing armed forces and conducting military operations are evolving as new technologies, methodologies and operational concepts emerge.

The key question for states is how prepared they are to adapt to this transformation and how much investment they are willing to make in technological capabilities, innovation and preparedness.

“Trkiye has been making significant efforts in both its defence industry and broader innovation programmes, with the aim of strengthening its technological capabilities and reducing vulnerabilities in critical areas,” the Azerbaijani parliament member said.

He added that the country’s preparations reflect a broader strategic objective: ensuring that Trkiye is better equipped to respond to future conflicts and next-generation security challenges.

“As geopolitical competition increasingly becomes intertwined with technological competition, investment in innovation, defence technologies and industrial capacity is likely to become an increasingly important component of national security.

For Trkiye and Azerbaijan, closer co-ordination in these areas could provide another avenue for strengthening their strategic partnership while allowing both countries to adapt more effectively to the rapidly changing security environment,” he said.

Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on specific entry and exit routes for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz following several weeks of negotiations. Later, the Iranian side said maps and a joint document had been prepared for presentation to the Gulf states. The proposal is aimed less at “reopening” the strait than at establishing a coordinated and more predictable route for commercial shipping amid the current crisis.

On September 12, Iran conveyed seven conditions to the United States through intermediaries for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian media, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the conditions, which have been approved by Iran’s top leadership, are met. It was also noted that the understanding reached between Iran and Oman does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened. The agreement was due to be presented at a meeting between Iran and the Gulf states. However, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi later said that the meeting had been cancelled.

The experts believe that the sides had previously held sharply different positions on the issue. Tehran insisted on sovereign transit fees, while Muscat opposed direct charges for passage, warning that such a move could fuel tensions and conflict with international maritime law.

On August 25, Oman and Iran presented a phased plan to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The joint statement was issued following talks between Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The proposal calls for the creation of a joint temporary shipping corridor through the Strait, along with a joint project to clear the area of mines. At the next stage, the two sides planned to continue technical talks on establishing a permanent shipping corridor, the future management of Hormuz, information sharing, vessel traffic regulation, and the provision of navigation and related security services.

The Strait of Hormuz links Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran and Oman to global markets. Before the start of the US-Israeli operation against Iran, around 200-300 vessels passed through the Hormuz every day. The waterway handled about a quarter of global oil and petroleum product shipments and accounted for around one-fifth of global LNG trade.

It remains unclear how other countries in the region will respond to the agreement between Iran and Oman.

Speaking to AzerNEWS, political expert Rufiz Hafizoglu said that although Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on routes through the Strait of Hormuz, there are still no clear details on how the arrangement would work in practice.

Hafizoglu noted that the issue goes far beyond the question of commercial shipping and is closely linked to broader security and political tensions in the region. He recalled that US President Donald Trump had previously warned Oman against continuing talks with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the expert, this indicates that any agreement reached by Iran and Oman would have to take into account the interests of the United States and other major regional players.

Hafizoglu also pointed to Trump’s recent statement that Washington would not sign an agreement with Iran if it contradicted US interests. Commenting on whether the Iran-Oman arrangement could improve the situation for shipping, the expert stressed that it would be wrong to view the issue solely from the perspective of maritime traffic.

“Even if this agreement is implemented and Iran and Oman commit themselves to it, it may not have a significant impact on the overall situation in the region,” Hafizoglu said.

He added that Iran’s approach to security in the Strait of Hormuz could further complicate the situation rather than resolve it.

The expert also highlighted the unresolved question of how Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would respond to Tehran’s initiative.

Hafizoglu pointed out that avoiding further risks in the region is currently one of Saudi Arabia’s main priorities. He noted that the recent attack on a Saudi oil pipeline has already had a significant impact on the country’s economic interests and contributed to volatility in global oil markets, while shares of Saudi companies also came under pressure. At the same time, he stressed that this does not mean Riyadh is prepared to accept Iran’s conditions.

“Saudi Arabia will not simply accept the Iranian side,” Hafizoglu said, adding that Riyadh’s priorities are closely linked to reducing security risks and preventing further escalation.

He emphasized that resolving the conflict in Yemen remains particularly important for Saudi Arabia. According to Hafizoglu, Riyadh sees the Yemen issue as a vital security concern, much as the Syrian conflict was once viewed by Trkiye.

The expert also added that the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will depend not only on the Iran-Oman understanding, but also on the broader balance of interests between Iran, the Gulf states and the United States.

‘It is a matter of basic decency – you either have it or you don’t’: Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Armenia’s EU-EAEU Dilemma

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has criticized the Armenian authorities over what she described as their continued wavering between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union.

Zakharova compared Armenia’s current position to a troubled marriage in which the couple continues to live together despite uncertainty over their future.

‘An answer has been given not once, not twice, but repeatedly: ‘We will decide later.’ But when is ‘later’? When, excuse me, they have already started carrying the furniture out? When? This is simply a matter of basic decency. And when we talk about decency, either you have it or you don’t,’ Zakharova said.

Addressing statements by the Armenian leadership that the country’s course toward the EU has not yet been finalized, Zakharova argued that such claims contradict a law adopted by Armenia in April last year titled ‘On the Beginning of the Process of Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union.’

According to Zakharova, the adoption of the law indicates that Armenia has already taken a formal step toward the EU, despite its continued membership in the EAEU.

Polish state-controlled energy group Orlen lost $230 million in an attempt to purchase around 6 million barrels of Venezuelan crude using cryptocurrency,

According to an investigation by the Financial Times, the money was transferred through intermediaries and converted into USDT, but the planned oil delivery ultimately failed.

It was noted that in November 2023, Orlen’s Swiss trading subsidiary, Orlen Trading Switzerland (OTS), signed a $345 million contract with Dubai-based Hannon International to purchase Merey 16 crude oil from Venezuela.

OTS expected to earn around $25-30 million from the transaction and paid Hannon a $230 million advance.

Venezuela was reportedly willing to accept payment only in cryptocurrency, specifically USDT. Hannon therefore transferred the funds to intermediaries in Dubai for conversion into the digital currency.

One intermediary received $135 million, but according to Hannon, only $85 million in USDT was ultimately passed on to the Venezuelan seller. Another $30 million was transferred to a different company but never reached Venezuela.

Both were supposed to facilitate deliveries of Venezuelan crude during a narrow window in late 2023 and early 2024, when the US temporarily eased sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector. The window closed. The oil never came. The money didn’t come back either.

Azerbaijan has successfully participated in the International Tasanno Festival of National Cuisines and Cultures held in Tashkent. The country took second place in the “Best Cuisine” category.

The Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center, operating under the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, represented Azerbaijan at the festival with presentations reflecting the country’s rich national cuisine, cultural heritage and arts.

More than 15 countries, including Azerbaijan, were represented by their diplomatic missions at this year’s festival. The participating countries presented their national dishes, table traditions, customs, music and dances, as well as distinctive elements of their cultural heritage.

As part of the festival’s artistic programme, the center’s “Karabakh Victory” Dance Ensemble performed Azerbaijani national dances, presenting the richness of the country’s dance tradition and the distinctive features of its cultural heritage to festival participants.

As part of the competition, national dishes presented by the participating countries, their preparation methods, table arrangements and presentation were evaluated by a jury in several categories.

According to the final results, Azerbaijan secured second place in the “Best Cuisine” category.

Held annually since 2004, the International Tasanno Festival of National Cuisines and Cultures aims to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among peoples, promote cultural dialogue and expand opportunities for people-to-people diplomacy.

The Tasanno Festival brings together the national cuisines, arts and cultural traditions of different peoples, contributing to the development of cultural and humanitarian ties between countries, greater mutual recognition and stronger friendly relations.