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Important Facts about NKR Defense Army
(Nagorno Karabakh Army)
1. NKR Defense Army was officially established
on May 9, 1992 to defend Nagorno Karabakh's population against Azerbaijani
military aggression; it remains true to its mission. NKR Army united
self-defense units of Nagorno Karabakh that were formed in early 1990s
to protect the NK population against Soviet and Azeri attacks.
2. NKR Defense Army was among the first organizations
that confronted and successfully fought against international Islamic
terrorism. When Azerbaijan failed to gain control over Nagorno Karabakh,
its leaders hired Islamic radicals to fight against the Nagorno Karabakh
Armenians whom they presented as "Christian infidels." Azerbaijan's
government-recruited mercenaries included Afghan mujahedins, Chechen
fighters and other Islamic radicals.
3. NKR Defense Army's successful military operations
in 1993-1994 forced Azerbaijan to recognize Nagorno Karabakh's ability
to defend itself. This recognition lead to a cease-fire accord signed
by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia on May 12, 1994.
4. As a critical component of the established
balance of forces, NKR Defense Army contributes to regional stability
in the Southern Caucasus.
5. NKR Defense Army is the main guarantor of
security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
6. NKR Defense Army stays out of politics and
is under strict civilian command of the democratically elected government
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
7. NKR Defense Army, NKR Police and NKR National
Security Service are the only organizations in Nagorno Karabakh which
are allowed to bear arms.
8. NKR Defense Army is a dynamically developing,
combat-ready organization with high morale.
9. NKR Defense Army is a modern, well-equipped
army — with effective command and control, border guard, air defense,
heavy and light artillery, mechanized infantry, engineering, intelligence
and special operations units.
10. NKR Defense Army officers are highly trained
professionals, many of whom have extensive combat experience. The training
and military education of current and future officers of NKR Defense
Army is a continuing process.
11. NKR Defense Army is considered by international
military experts as the most capable military force among all post-Soviet
militaries on the unit-for-unit basis.
12. NKR Defense Army actively cooperates with
international organizations, including the OSCE (ceasefire regime monitoring),
the ICRC (law of war, human rights, landmine awareness, hostages), the
HALO Trust (humanitarian de-mining) and the IWG (working group on refugees,
internally displaced and hostages).
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