Azerbaijan hosts the large-scale military exercises conducted by the Special Forces Units of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan. These joint drills are called “Three Brothers – 2021” exercises. 

The joint military drills started on 12 September and will continue until September 20.

The Three Brothers - 2021 exercises, as first such drills aims at the strengthening and deepening of further partnership and cooperation between three brotherly countries in the fields of military, defense and security. At same time, the joint drills will serve to reinforce the bonds of brotherhood between the armed forces of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan.

It should be noted that these joint exercises are believed to provide an opportunity for the servicemen of the Special Forces Units of three brotherly countries to exchange their experience in combating terrorism and other security challenges.

The persistent organization and enhancement of such joint drills by the armies of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan is of importance for the strategic activities to contribute to peace, stability and security in the region of the South Caucasus. It is necessary to expand and solidify the mutual ties and contacts between three brotherly countries in all fields of military and defense on basis of long-term brotherhood.

Eurasia Diary conducted an exclusive interview with Muhammad Asif Noor, Pakistani expert on Eurasian studies regarding the aims and goals of the development of the military and defense cooperation between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan.  

Muhammad Asif Noor, Director of Centre for Central Asia and Eurasian Studies- Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Pakistan

- Mr Muhammad Asif Noor, you know that nowadays the Special Forces Units of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan have been holding the large-scale combat operations in the various areas of Azerbaijan. Firstly, how can you appreciate Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan trilateral cooperation in terms of military and defense capabilities?

 - The Joint military exercise “Three Brothers-2021” held between the armies of three brotherly countries. This is first time that such exercises happened and continued for eight days. The drills are meant to improve the long standing ties between the three countries especially in the defense sector and intelligence sharing. These drills are significant in breaking new pathways in defense and military cooperation especially in building capacities of each other. All the three armies are capable however such exercise help to bring out the knowledge and sharing the bonds that help to build strength. Three brotherly countries have strong diplomatic ties at the bilateral level, trilateral and multilateral levels. This new way of military cooperation will enhance the confidence and build the relationships amongst the three countries. Pakistan and Turkey were the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan as a free and independent country while both have not recognized Armenia as a state. Both Pakistan and Turkey supported Azerbaijan in its 44 day long war on Karabakh last September. This trilateral military level cooperation will continue to build relations, especially cooperation in defense production, trainings, mutual learning and cohesion for regional peace and stability.

- Do you think that the trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan based on brotherhood could contribute to peace, stability and security in the region of the South Caucasus?

- I think these exercise will not only act as a deterrent for the any country to act as an aggressor but will continue to contribute towards peace, stability and security in the region especially in the South Caucuses. The region is mired with conflict as a result of the aggression from Armenia backed by the powers at the globe and region. Pakistan as a nuclear power, with Turkey as having powerful military and Azerbaijan with its recent rise in defense capacity will augment well for the region and beyond as well.

- How do you think, are there any opportunities for the establishment of three brotherly countries - Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan military alliance in the near future?

- Yes, I agree that there is a possibility however I strongly believe that informally amongst the government and state level there exist strong bond of cooperation in the military ties. Regular high levels visits between the three states and heads of military reflects that cooperation is very close. I wonder if there will be a formal alliance between the three countries. May be in future but at the moment what I see is synchronization of the defense development. All three countries need each other for the support in their regional political, strategic and security dimensions. With the rise in conflict in Afghanistan, both Pakistan and Turkey are looking for supporting each other. Recently we have observed that parliamentary delegation from three sides met in Baku and signed Baku Declaration. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan support Pakistan at the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, while Turkey and Pakistan support Azerbaijan on Karabakh and Armenia while Azerbaijan and Pakistan support Turkey on the Cyprus conflict in Easter Mediterranean region.

- What can you say about  the reaction of Russia and Iran sharing borders with Azerbaijan towards increasing role of Turkey and Pakistan in terms of military, economy and diplomacy in the South Caucasus?

- Well, I think that these are strategic pursuits that the three countries are reaching out to each other for their cooperation in the defense, security and strategic manner. This is not against anyone however there are several meanings that Moscow and Tehran can adopt out of this equation. Every state focus on their interest and for that interest they can go beyond regions to build alliances.

by Yunis Abdullayev