Category: Azer News

A dissident group from Colombia’s former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the “Estado Mayor Central” (EMC), has claimed responsibility for the abduction of José Olger Melo Charry, a Colombian corporal serving in the French Foreign Legion who has been missing since August 6.

According to the EMC, the soldier was detained in the Cumbitara area of Narino department and is in good health. The group referred to him as a “prisoner of war” and warned that any potential military operation could put his life at risk.

Melo Charry has served in the French Army’s Foreign Legion for nearly four years. He disappeared while on leave in Colombia.

France’s Ministry of Defence said it was closely monitoring the situation, while Colombian authorities have launched an investigation.

It was also noted that a woman who was with the soldier was also taken by armed men but was released several hours later.

The French Foreign Legion is an elite branch of the French Army whose ranks are made up largely of foreign volunteers from dozens of countries. Its soldiers can be deployed alongside other French forces on operations overseas.

The SCO Plus format meeting has commenced in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek to attend the meeting.

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov welcomed President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government.

The participants of the SCO Plus format meeting then posed for a family photo.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

– Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich,

Distinguished heads of state,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the invitation and hospitality.

I am pleased to visit once again brotherly Kyrgyzstan. During my state visit a month ago, the Treaty on Allied Relations was signed. This historic document has elevated relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan to the highest level.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the President and the people of Kyrgyzstan on the achievements made in the country’s socio-economic development and the strengthening of its standing in the international arena. The election of Kyrgyzstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028 demonstrates the support of the international community for Kyrgyzstan’s policies.

A little over a year ago, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the text of the peace agreement, putting an end to a 30-year conflict. Thus, the South Caucasus region, which was a long-standing conflict zone, is becoming a zone of peace.

Four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in 1993 were implemented three years ago, 30 years later. Azerbaijan is already supplying petroleum products to Armenia and providing transit for third-country cargo. Together with Armenia, we are working to increase the volume of mutual trade, expand the range of goods, and create new overland transport links. However, unfortunately, the UN played no role in the implementation of these resolutions. Azerbaijan entirely restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity on its own. The development of appropriate mechanisms is required for the swift implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. If implemented, this would serve to enhance the UN’s prestige and the organization’s role in conflict resolution. Having led the Non-Aligned Movement for four years until recently, Azerbaijan will continue to contribute to strengthening the principles of multilateralism in international affairs.

Thank you for your attention.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov: Thank you very much, dear Ilham Heydarovich, for such a comprehensive speech. It is precisely such a broad dialogue that is essential for the formation of a fair, multipolar world.

Romania is set to lose at least pound 770 million in European Union funding after the country’s main political parties failed to reach an agreement on a public-sector salary reform required under its post-pandemic recovery plan.

The parties missed the August 31 deadline for adopting a new public-sector salary law, a key reform included in Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

According to EU sources, around pound 770 million could be deducted from the pound 8.44 billion still due to Romania under the pound 21.41 billion recovery programme. The exact amount will be determined by the European Commission when it assesses Romania’s final payment request, which must be submitted by the end of September.

Romanian President Nicu?or Dan said last week that the legislation was technically close to completion and could still be adopted by the end of the year. He described the reform as a ‘complicated topic with major social and economic implications’ that had been negotiated under considerable time pressure.

The public-sector salary reform is reportedly the principal reason behind the potential loss of EU funds, although several smaller targets, including measures related to decarbonisation, have also not been completed.

The proposed legislation has faced strong opposition from Romanian trade unions, which argue that it could reduce the salaries of some categories of public employees and that planned inflation-linked adjustments would not adequately compensate workers.

The dispute has already prompted street protests. Several trade union federations demonstrated outside the Labour Ministry on August 25, calling for higher minimum wages and the restoration of collective bargaining.

The missed deadline has also triggered a political blame game among the pro-European parties that formed Romania’s previous governing coalition under centre-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

The dispute comes as Bucharest faces increasing pressure to complete the remaining NRRP reforms before the EU funding window closes, with the country having already received only part of the substantial financing allocated under the post-pandemic recovery programme.

“I highly appreciate Slovakia’s participation in the restoration of our liberated territories and regard this as a clear example of our friendship and strategic partnership,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini on the occasion of his country’s Constitution Day.

The head of state expressed confidence that the traditional ties of friendship between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, as well as interaction at both bilateral and multilateral levels, will continue to expand through their joint efforts in line with the interests of the peoples of the two countries, and that their strategic partnership will be further strengthened.

Relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are continuing within their traditional framework, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said Iran’s mission to the IAEA in Vienna remains in contact with relevant agency officials when necessary.

‘Iran’s representation in Vienna holds talks with the relevant sides of the agency wherever necessary. There are no discussions that would constitute a new process between Iran and the IAEA,’ he said.

Baghaei also accused some IAEA officials, including Director General Rafael Grossi, of making statements at certain points that had been exploited by other parties.

‘Iran still has a serious demand from the agency to align and regulate its conduct with the agency’s statute,’ he said. ‘Iran wants the agency to refrain from becoming involved in issues under the influence of the political ambitions of certain member states.’

The Iranian official also reiterated Tehran’s previous statement that there had been no nuclear activities at Mount Kolang.

Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have increased amid a broader dispute over Iran’s nuclear program and international efforts to resume negotiations.

The latest developments come amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States.

On July 8, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire had been violated and ordered new strikes against Iran. In response, Iran targeted US military facilities in the Persian Gulf region with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Although Washington has not ruled out the possibility of Iran returning to negotiations, disagreements over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and other issues continue to cast uncertainty over the prospects for a broader peace process.

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also once again been brought close to a standstill, further highlighting the continuing risks surrounding the strategically important waterway.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States is carrying out what he described as ‘large and powerful’ strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions after Iran launched missiles towards US military positions in Jordan.

Trump said the US action was in response to Iran’s deployment of maritime mines and the launch of eight missiles towards a US base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said its air defence systems intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace.

‘If the failed state of Iran responds with a strike, it will be hit again much harder and on a much larger scale,’ Trump said, warning that the Islamic Republic could face devastating consequences.

‘When it is all over, there will be almost nothing left of the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ he added.

The latest escalation follows US strikes on Iranian military positions on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the operation targeted Iranian rocket launchers that were being prepared to deploy sea mines into the strategically vital waterway. US Central Command described the action as limited and precise, saying it was intended to protect commercial shipping and the free flow of global trade.

Iran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked military positions in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Jordan said eight missiles were intercepted, while the UAE said it had intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters.

The exchange of fire marks a sharp deterioration after several weeks of relative calm between Washington and Tehran. The confrontation comes as the Trump administration has increasingly relied on economic pressure and sanctions against Iran while maintaining that it is prepared to use military force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation because of its importance to global energy markets. The latest military exchanges have also raised concerns over the safety of commercial shipping, with reports of vessels being hit by projectiles in the waterway.

Organizations involved in mine clearance in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories carried out extensive demining operations throughout August.

According to the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), demining teams discovered and neutralized 514 anti-personnel mines, 121 anti-tank mines, and 2,724 other explosive devices.

Overall, 7,568.9 hectares of land were cleared of mines and other explosive ordnance in August.

Humanitarian demining remains a critical component of Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery strategy. Large areas of land in these regions remain contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, posing a significant threat to civilians and slowing the pace of reconstruction projects and the safe return of internally displaced persons.

“The relations between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, based on mutual respect, trust, and constructive dialogue, are gratifying,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini on the occasion of his country’s Constitution Day.

“In recent years, the development of political dialogue between our countries, the increase in high-level visits, and the expansion of the scope of our cooperation have further enriched the content of our bilateral relations,” the head of state added.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Greece to continue supporting Lebanon’s army and official security forces as Beirut works to address what he described as two major challenges: the continued presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory and the existence of weapons held by armed groups outside state control.

Aoun made the appeal during talks in Athens on Monday with Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas and other senior officials, stressing that the two issues must be addressed ‘simultaneously and in parallel’ through a complete Israeli withdrawal and the extension of the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority across the country.

‘The objective of negotiations with Israel is to end the state of hostility,’ Aoun said at a press conference, referring to ongoing US-mediated diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel.

‘We are advocates of peace and insist on ending this state of hostility. Lebanon and its people are tired of wars,’ he added.

Aoun also called for the full implementation of a framework agreement signed by Lebanon, Israel and the United States at the end of June aimed at ending hostilities and establishing the basis for longer-term peace.

‘We ask Greece to help, as much as possible, to ensure the agreement is implemented,’ Aoun said, arguing that military approaches had failed and that diplomacy offered the best path forward.

He stressed that Lebanon’s stability was important not only for the country but also for the wider Middle East and Europe, warning that renewed instability could have broader regional consequences.

Important to notice, Israel and Greece have signed a pound 3 billion ($3.5 billion) defence agreement under which Israel will build a comprehensive, multi-layered air defence network for Greece, dubbed ‘Achilles Shield.’ The deal is the largest defence export agreement in the history of Israel-Greece relations and one of the largest in Israel’s history.

Tasoulas reaffirmed Greece’s support for Lebanon, saying that negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv could contribute to strengthening Lebanese sovereignty and prosperity while facilitating the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Adopted in 2006 following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Resolution 1701 established security arrangements along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Athens also intends to strengthen Lebanon’s relations with the European Union, according to Tasoulas.

Aoun’s visit comes as Beirut steps up diplomatic efforts ahead of a preparatory meeting in Paris on September 17 for a planned international conference aimed at mobilizing support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces.

France has invited military delegations and experts from several countries to participate in the meeting.

Lebanon is seeking international assistance on several fronts, including securing an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, addressing ceasefire violations, extending state authority throughout the country and preparing for the eventual withdrawal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate is due to expire in December.

Coinciding with Aoun’s visit to Athens, the Lebanese army received a second tranche of Greek military assistance. According to the army command, the latest donation included 13 M113 armored personnel carriers and 10 trucks.

The Lebanese military is expected to present a detailed assessment of its requirements at the Paris meeting, outlining the expanding responsibilities it faces as the UNIFIL presence is reduced.

A military source said Lebanese forces are being asked to deploy across the south, secure the country’s borders, combat terrorism and smuggling, maintain internal stability, enforce the state’s plan to place all weapons under its exclusive control and eventually assume additional responsibilities currently associated with the UN peacekeeping mission.

Among the army’s reported needs are vehicles, transportation and communications equipment, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, drones, radar, engineering equipment for tunnel detection and mine clearance, as well as funding for the construction of additional military positions.

Israel’s Channel 13 has reported new details of an alleged Mossad plan to overthrow Iran’s Islamic Republic by supporting a Kurdish armed incursion into northwestern Iran.

According to the report, the operation, code-named ‘Puss in Boots,’ was developed under former Mossad chief David Barnea following the June 2025 war with Iran. The plan reportedly envisioned Israeli and US airstrikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions along the Iran-Iraq border, particularly in Iran’s Kurdish region, creating a corridor for Kurdish forces to enter Iranian territory.

Channel 13 reported that thousands of Kurdish fighters were brought to Israel for operational training as part of preparations for the proposed offensive. The Mossad reportedly expected the entry of the Kurdish forces to encourage thousands of additional young Kurds to join the movement and ultimately trigger a broader uprising against the Iranian government.

The strategy reportedly went beyond a limited Kurdish offensive. Israeli planners allegedly believed that a successful advance into northwestern Iran could spark mass demonstrations across the country and eventually lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic.

A particularly striking element of the reported plan was the alleged role envisioned for former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. According to Channel 13, Mossad officials referred to him by the code name ‘The Friend’ and considered him as a potential political figure who could emerge following a regime collapse.

The proposed operation reportedly received initial US approval. During a February meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, American officials asked about the readiness of the plan. Barnea reportedly estimated that overthrowing the Iranian government could take around a year, while then-Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir reportedly assessed that it could take as long as three years.

However, the plan was ultimately halted. According to Channel 13, Washington reversed its position roughly three days after the operation began, with a senior Israeli official quoted as saying that the US sent a message instructing the Kurdish forces to stop. Israeli officials reportedly attributed the reversal partly to pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition within the Trump administration, including from Vice President JD Vance.

The reports also indicate that Israeli strikes in northwestern Iran during the conflict were intended, at least in part, to facilitate the Kurdish advance by targeting Iranian security and military infrastructure in the region. The broader Kurdish operation, however, failed to develop as originally envisioned.

The allegations have not been independently verified in full, and Israeli authorities have not publicly confirmed the reported regime-change operation.