$4.8B worth of Armenian arms destroyed in Karabakh war

BAKU, Azerbaijan

In recent fighting for the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, $4.8 billion worth of arms belonging to Armenia were destroyed in its efforts to cling to the area which it occupied for nearly 30 years.

Academics in the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) calculated the extent of the Armenian army's material losses in weapons and vehicles during the 44-day war.

The Azerbaijani army, which launched operations on Sept. 27 to liberate Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, and its surrounding provinces from Armenian occupation, both saved its lands and dealt a painful blow to Armenia's military.

From the first day of the operation, the Azerbaijanis carried out intense attacks on the Armenian forces both on land and from the air.

According to statements from the Armenian top brass after a Russia-backed truce was signed last month, it was reported to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in just the first four days of fighting, signs of disintegration in Yerevan's forces became evident in the face of the Azerbaijani assault.

During the occupation period, Turkish-made UAVs in Azerbaijan's inventory dealt the greatest damage to the Armenian army, which built its defensive lines behind thick concrete walls.

With the cease-fire that the Yerevan administration had to sign after Azerbaijan's continued advance, liberating its lands from occupation as it went, the Armenian army's losses became clearer, with Armenian weapons ending up in scrap piles almost every step of the way.

Relations between the former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10 to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The truce is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have been withdrawing in line with the agreement.