Erdogan Boasts Turkey’s Direct Involvement in Artsakh War while Threatening Israel

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey boasted about his country’s direct involvement in the 2020 Artsakh war when he threatened military action against Israel for its continued military operation in Gaza.

“We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them,” Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a speech specifically outlining Turkey’s defense industry.

“There is no reason why we cannot do this … We must be strong so that we can take these steps,” he added in his remarks, which were televised, Reuters reported.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz was quick to react to Erdogan’s statement, saying that the Turkish leader is “following in the footsteps” of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who was executed after the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. “He should remember what happened there and how it ended,” Katz wrote in a post on X.

France, the United States and Russia acknowledged Turkey’s role in the Artsakh war at the time, all three all but confirming that Erdogan’s regime sent Turkish-backed mercenaries to fight alongside Azerbaijani soldiers.

Turkey’s combat drones heavily used by the Azerbaijani army are cited as a key factor behind Baku’s ability to occupy Artsakh.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry at the time of the 2020 war said Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets, deployed in Azerbaijan shortly before the war, also participated in the war, striking civilian and military targets across Artsakh.

Artsakh Defense Army officials also reported Turkish ground forces were involved in the war. Both Azerbaijani and Turkish flags were hoisted in the strategic Karabakh town of Shushi after its occupation in November 2020.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry on Monday reacted to Erdogan’s remarks, claiming that Turkish forces were not involved in the Artsakh war, saying that Turkey, as well as Pakistan, provided political support to Azerbaijan.

The irony is not lost that Israel supplied weapons to Azerbaijan before, during and after the 2020 war, forcing Yerevan to recall its ambassador to Israel just days after the war broke out and after Armenian forces downed Israeli-made drones being used by Azerbaijani forces.