Armenia

Armenian Authorities Recover Illegally Held Weapons Following Voluntary Surrender

On March 21, the Armenian Defense Ministry stated that following public outreach by the Military Police regarding the voluntary surrender of illegally held weapons and ammunition, a citizen contacted the Vanadzor Department of the Military Police. The individual, who had participated in the 44-day war, reported that he had brought weapons and ammunition with him and provided their location, requesting that this notification be treated as a voluntary surrender.

Personnel from the Stepanavan base of the Vanadzor Department responded to the scene and discovered a bag hidden in a water pipe. After securing the area, the Military Police coordinated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs Patrol Service and the Tashir Department of the Police’s Security Service.

The joint operation recovered 1 AK-74 assault rifle, 8 cartridge cases (7 loaded with 210 rounds of 5.45 caliber ammunition), 176 additional bullets of various calibers, 5 grenades, 2 grenade detonators, 2 cylinders, and 1 TNT detonator.

The incident report and related documents were forwarded to the Stepanavan Investigation Department of the Republic of Armenia Criminal Investigation Department for consideration of initiating criminal proceedings.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Military Police Delegation Visits Bulgaria To Foster Cooperation

On March 19, a delegation from the Military Police Department of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense visited Sofia, Bulgaria, as part of the program for developing bilateral relations between the two countries. The group was led by Elgun Aliyev, the Deputy Chief of the Main Department of Internal Security and Investigations and Chief of the Military Police Department, Major General.

During the visit, the delegation toured the administrative buildings of the Bulgarian Military Police Department and the Regional Military Police Unit, gaining insight into the organization, management, and daily operations of the Bulgarian military police. Presentations were delivered on the duties of the Bulgarian Military Police in peacetime and wartime, as well as their activities within the framework of NATO.

The discussions focused on the current state and prospects of cooperation in the military police sector, with extensive exchanges of views on various related topics. The visit highlighted mutual experience sharing, the enhancement of professional training, and the expansion of opportunities for joint activities. It was considered an important step in strengthening cooperation between the military police of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria and further developing security relations between the two countries.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Condoles Loss Of Lives In Qatari Helicopter Crash

On March 22, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, expressed his condolences to Yaşar Güler, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, and to H. E. Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of Qatar.

In his letters, Hasanov stated: "I was deeply saddened by the news that a helicopter belonging to the Qatari Armed Forces, which was carrying out a training flight within the Qatar–Türkiye Joint Combined Forces Command, crashed into the sea due to a technical malfunction, resulting in the death of one serviceman of the Turkish Armed Forces, two technical specialists of the ASELSAN company, and four servicemen of the Qatari Armed Forces. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased and extend my deepest condolences to their families. May Allah grant eternal peace to the deceased."

Georgia

Irakli Chikovani Attends Commemorative Ceremony At Trinity Cathedral

On March 20, Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defense and Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia, attended a commemorative ceremony at Trinity Cathedral alongside military personnel. The event, held in cooperation with the cathedral, honored the memory of His Holiness Ilia II, the Catholic-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Tskum-Abkhazia.

The ceremony was attended by Giorgi Matiashvili, the Commander of the Defense Forces, deputies from the Ministry of Defense, representatives of the General Staff, personnel from the National Defense Academy, cadets from the Military Lyceum, and other military officials, all paying tribute to the late patriarch.