Israel's Covert Military Operations in Azerbaijan Amid Iran Conflict
Israel's Secret Deployment in Azerbaijan
During its conflict with Iran, Israel reportedly sent elite military and intelligence personnel to Azerbaijan, utilizing sites near the Iranian border for surveillance, drone missions, and possible rescue operations, as per a CNN report citing four knowledgeable sources. The report indicates that Israeli forces operated from various locations in southern Azerbaijan, some situated merely 60 miles from Tabriz, an Iranian city that was targeted during the hostilities.
The deployment allegedly included members from Israel's special operations units, elite rescue teams, and Mossad agents. Initially, their mission was to prepare for emergency extractions, but it later evolved into intelligence gathering and drone operations. A spokesperson from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington dismissed these claims, asserting that Baku "firmly rejects unfounded allegations regarding the use of Azerbaijan's territory for operations against third countries."
A Broader Covert Network?
A Wider Network Around Iran?
The report implies that Azerbaijan is part of a larger covert Israeli network throughout the Middle East. Sources suggest that Israel has also established secret operational bases in Iraq, deployed additional air defense systems to the UAE, and set up logistical support in Somaliland, potentially allowing Israeli aircraft to conduct long-range missions.
These positions would effectively encircle Iran from the north, west, and south, significantly enhancing Israel's operational capabilities during the conflict. The Iraqi military has previously denied the presence of unauthorized foreign bases within its borders, while neither the UAE nor Israeli officials have commented on these recent allegations.
The Importance of Azerbaijan to Israel
Why Azerbaijan Matters To Israel
Azerbaijan has long been recognized as a crucial strategic ally for Israel in the region, even prior to this report. Baku provides a substantial portion of Israel's oil imports, while Israel has emerged as a key supplier of advanced military technology to Azerbaijan, including drones, precision-guided munitions, and air defense systems. Notably, Azerbaijan was the first foreign buyer of Israel's Iron Dome system. The partnership has strengthened over the last decade, fueled by mutual concerns regarding Iran's influence and security activities.
According to the report, Israeli strategists had begun establishing intelligence infrastructure near the Azerbaijan-Iran border weeks before the conflict intensified, allegedly setting up surveillance systems capable of tracking Iranian military movements and missile launches.
Drone Operations and Intelligence Activities
Intelligence, Drones And The Battle For The Northern Frontier
One of the most notable assertions in the report is that Israeli special forces and intelligence units utilized Azerbaijani territory for drone operations and battlefield surveillance. These forward positions reportedly provided early warnings of Iranian missile activities and offered support for downed Israeli pilots. Furthermore, the report claims that one operation linked to the Azerbaijani network involved the March 4 assassination of Rahman Moghaddam, identified as the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence division. Neither Israel nor Azerbaijan has publicly acknowledged any involvement in such operations.