Armenian expert on Turkish "intelligence" behind Azerbaijani victory  in 44-day war

ArmInfo.  Turkologist and researcher of the Turkish military- industrial complex, Anzhela  Simonyan, spoke about the role of Turkish intelligence, MIT, in the  44-day war of 2020 around Artsakh.

The expert noted that when discussing the 44-day war in Artsakh,  public attention is usually focused on visible military factors:  drones, armored vehicles, or personnel. However, according to her,  the recently published official book "National Intelligence  Organization 1826-2023" reveals the "shadow" side of the war, where  Turkish intelligence, MIT, played a key role. "Furthermore, the book  publishes archival documents from the National Intelligence  Organization (MIT) for the first time. Author Polat Safi argues that  this conflict became a testing ground for MIT's 'game-changing'  strategy, which involved transferring all operational methods  accumulated in Syria, Iraq, and Libya to the Caucasus. This transfer  of experience entailed MIT's direct and dual support for Azerbaijan,  which was carried out at both the intelligence and special operations  levels," Simonyan writes.

According to her, MIT effectively assumed the role of "intellectual  center" for the Bayraktar TB2: although UAVs are a type of air force  weapon, their devastating effectiveness was ensured precisely by the  critical data provided by intelligence. Simonyan noted that, using  Turkish Gokturk satellite systems, intelligence analysis centers  processed geospatial data (GEOINT), allowing them to detect Armenian  hideouts and mobile targets before a strike.

"However, MIT's presence was not limited to technological support. As  part of covert operations, Turkish Special Ops units directly  participated in combat operations, particularly in the Shusha  direction, where they served as operational advisers and  coordinators. At the same time, military success was reinforced by  active behind-the-scenes intelligence diplomacy. The then head of  MIT, Hakan Fidan, was in constant contact with the heads of the  Russian intelligence services (FSB and SVR) to prevent direct Russian  intervention," the Turkologist continued. Simonyan emphasized that  the Turkish side is already officially proud of this fact,  emphasizing that without the special operations on the ground and the  provision of critical data by MIT, the outcome of the war could have  been completely different. "We are dealing with a reality in which  intelligence services are becoming the primary instrument for  delineating state borders. For MIT, the 44-day war was merely a  prelude to expanding its zones of influence in the Caucasus and  changing the regional status quo on the path to creating a 'Turkic  world,'" the Turkologist concluded.

As a reminder, on September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan, with the support of  Turkey and the involvement of mercenaries from the Middle East,  committed aggression against Artsakh. The 44-day war was concluded by  a trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, between the leaders of  Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.  This war marked the beginning of  the loss of Artsakh and the occupation of Armenian territories on  several fronts.