They are pro-Assad by default. Both countries are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Turkey has nonetheless denied reports by France that it has sent mercenaries from Syria to fight in Nagorno-Karabakh. Together, the two countries work to promote European energy security, expand bilateral trade and investment, and combat terrorism and transnational threats. Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Elin Suleymanov confirmed … Turkey is sending Syrian fighters into the area to fight on Azerbaijan’s side, and Armenia claims the Turkish air force is also fighting with Azerbaijan – a claim Baku and Ankara deny. [10], In 2018, it was announced that the chairmen of Azerbaijani companies wish to participate in various tenders, the main purpose of which is the reconstruction of oil and gas pipelines, roads, etc. [10] The dispute over Karabakh and occupied territories by Armenian forces still fuels harsh criticism and Baku was loud in condemnation of this illegal and unacceptable settlement. [6], During the talks between the Minister of industry and energy of Azerbaijan Natig Aliyev and the Minister of industry and energy of Syria Sufyan Allau, which were held in the capital city of Damascus on 4 March 2010, a Memorandum of intent was signed to conclude an agreement on gas supplies. However, Azerbaijan broke the silence and reacted strongly when in July 2012 Armenian authorities allowed Armenian refugees from Syria to settle in the Karabakh districts. The leaders of another influential Shia association working “for the promotion of moral purity”, Manevi Safliga Devet Ijtimai Birligi,[19] Elshan Guliev and Elshan Mustafaoglu, took a similar stand: “behind the support to the rebels are foreign powers that are hostile to Iran and to Shia and who want to punish the Syrian regime for being pro-Iran”[20]. ), Shi’ism, Resistance, and Revolution, Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1987), pp. [17] He clearly does not believe in the democratic and revolutionary aspirations of the Syrian opposition to Assad and blames foreign intelligence. Since the outbreak of the Arab spring revolutions, Baku is stranded in a political limbo. By using this website, you agree to our cookie policy. [4][14] Syria and Azerbaijan cooperate within the framework of the United Nations (UN), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), etc. On the regional geopolitical scene, they stood on different sides: Syria is a close ally of Russia and Armenia, because of a large Armenian diaspora in the country. Israel should take sides and help Azerbaijan. “What is happening in Syria is not a people revolution against a tyrant—although Assad is one—but a plot formed by the United States and Israel to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad; and doing so, the objective is to get rid of Iran’s major ally in the region” [18]. Syria is accredited to Azerbaijan from its … And President Emmanuel Macron of France said on Wednesday that there was evidence that a proxy force of Syrian fighters had been deployed from southern Turkey to Azerbaijan. On the other side, in terms of regional geopolitics, a regime change in Damascus, whatever comes afterwards, would benefit Baku in the sense that it would muffle Iran’s influence and reinforce ties with Turkey, without openly joining the coalition against Assad’s regime. u.s.-azerbaijan relations The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey are complex and characterized by both tension and cooperation. Reports of Caucasian jihadists, from Northern Caucasian ethnic groups like Lezgins, Udins, Avars, and Chechens, have been made. [24] Their affinity with the Alawis is not to be found in religion. And for many Shia in Azerbaijan, “the United States and their Sunni friends allied against Iran only to weaken Ahmadinejad’s regime”.[21]. Azerbaijan and Israel have engaged in close cooperation since 1992. It would prove the people are right and can overthrow an autocratic regime that shares strong similarities with Aliyev’s regime in Baku. A joint Azerbaijani-Syrian business forum was held during the visit. Will relations grow? Сирия. It is the product of a long history of colonialism, nationalism, and authoritarianism. It’s the only Turkic-speaking state from the former Soviet empire to experience such a divide, inherited from history and geography—an obscure border zone between Ottoman and Safawid empires. [7][9], The Azerbaijani government plans to allocate approximately 5–10 billion dollars for investment in the Syrian economy. On the other side, a regime change in Damascus would stress Russian and Iranian diplomatic failures and indirectly pave the way for the emerging of Azerbaijan as a regional power. The central mosque on the Martyrs’ place, which was a landmark of Turkish religious influence in the country, was officially closed for security reasons,[14] but the true motive behind the closure did not lure anyone. Scattered among these ancient mountains are the debris of Syrian mercenaries, Israeli drones, Turkish helicopters and Russian bombs, all exploding out into an unpredictable regional war. Ankara has asserted that Azerbaijan has the capacity to fight without Turkish support. [18] Interveiw with Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, Baku, Dec 2012. Besides, other Sunni and more or less radical Salafi movements originating from the Arabic Peninsula developed and emerged on the religious scene of the Northern Caucasus and Northern Sunni regions of Azerbaijan, where they had never been before, and exacerbated the Sunni Shia divide. [2], On 23 November 2010, the parties entered into an agreement on the technical details of the purchase of natural gas for a period of 20 years. As for Shia activists, they are much more open about the Syrian crisis: openly supporting the Assad regime against the opposition and its foreign advocates. (It is worth mentioning that there is truth in what he says, with the U.S. providing assistance to the armed rebel forces and the CIA coordinating the flow of arms from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to the rebels.) Beyond the Sunni Shia split, the secular opposition forces view the Arab spring revolutions as a source of inspiration. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Syrian Arab Republic were established on 28 March 1992. The traditionally very discreet Salafi community and social network, which is itself divided on this issue among others, kept its distance. [12], The increasing and region wide Sunni and Shia split is a major threat to Azerbaijan’s national stability because of its unique and mixed Shia and Sunni religious identity. Syrian rebel fighters have signed up to work for a private Turkish security company as border guards in Azerbaijan, several volunteers in Syria’s last rebel stronghold have said, at a … Although it wasn’t an open competition, their influential efforts contributed to revive the national divide between the Sunni and Shia communities in Azerbaijan.[13]. Russia's military presence in Syria and support for Assad came to the fore in recent years during the allied campaign against the terrorist group Islamic State, … One may object that only a non-significant minority of pious Muslims and religious figures are genuinely concerned and involved, while the vast majority of the secularized population looks at Syria more with curiosity than solidarity[15] because it is focused on its own survival. And the damage could be more substantial that we think for this long forsaken but strategically and energetically important country to the region, as well as to European and to US interests. Azerbaijan denies the fighters have been deployed. Whereas many Azerbaijani Shia students stayed in the Shia district of Sayyida Zaynab in Damascus, and many pilgrims visit the place, they haven’t bond with the Syrian Alawis, nor did they seek to learn more about their particular practice. To make matters worse for Iran, Turkey and Israel are negotiating a deal to improve diplomatic and economic relations. [24] Interview with Kenan Rovshanoglu, Bakou, 21 December 2012. [1] The deterioration of what is now a civil war into a sectarian conflict between opposing Shia and Sunni communities has spread to Lebanon[2] and raises the specter of more confessional or sectarian unrest in Turkey and in Iraq. But, if they don’t speak out publicly, individuals do in private and support jihad forces in Syria. Any development in the situation implies so many political and religious consequences for the Syrians, as well as for the neighboring countries, that it jeopardizes the whole and fragile regional status quo. [17], Azerbaijan National Library named after M. F. Akhundov, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of industry and energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of healthcare of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, "АЗЕРБАЙДЖАН И СИРИЯ НАМЕРЕНЫ ЗАКЛЮЧИТЬ ДОЛГОСРОЧНОЕ СОГЛАШЕНИЕ ПО ПОСТАВКАМ ГАЗА", "ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЙ ВИЗИТ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА СИРИЙСКОЙ АРАБСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БАШАРА АЛЬ-АСАДА В АЗЕРБАЙДЖАН В ЧЕСТЬ ВЫСОКОГО ГОСТЯ", "Ильхам Алиев: "Азербайджан выступает за решение вопроса Нагорного Карабаха в соответствии с международными правовыми нормами" – ВИДЕО – ФОТО – ОБНОВЛЕНО", "Азербайджан и Сирия подпишут соглашение об устранении двойного налогообложения", "Сирия начинает импорт азербайджанского газа", "Сирия и Азербайджан строят долгосрочные планы – Новости нефти, новости газа, новости ТЭК", "Зачем Шойгу приглашает Азербайджан в Сирию? Check your email for details on your request. [citation needed] Armenia is accused by both Turkey and Azerbaijan of allowing Syrian refugees to resettle in Karabakh, amidst diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Syria. "The agreement between the Ministry of education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of education of the Syrian Arab Republic on cooperation in the field of secondary education»; "Agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of the Syrian Arab Republic on cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies»; "Agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of the Syrian Arab Republic on mutual assistance and cooperation in the field of customs Affairs»; "Memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the. Baku’s reaction to whatever form of foreign influence indicates how concerned they are about gaining their control back over their own destiny and keeping the secular harmony between their communities so as to ensure national integrity. While Baku is weighing the pros and cons for its sole national interests, like we all do, Syrian civilians continue to fall under the harsh repression of their democratic aspirations. The escalation of violence in Syria between pro- and anti-Assad forces varies in inverse proportion to the deafening silence shown by Azerbaijan (and other regional and international powers). Both schools differ very much in terms of religious fundamentals, and all attempts at including Alawis in the greater Twelfth Imam Shia failed, but they both praise Ali,[22] and that’s pretty much where the comparison ends. [1] George Joffé, « The regional implications of the conflict in Syria”, NOREF, Norvegian Peacebuilding Ressource Center,May 2012, URL : http://www.peacebuilding.no/Regions/Middle-East-and-North-Africa/Syria/Publications/The-regional-implications-of-the-conflict-in-Syria, [2] Paul Salem, « Syrian Crisis Spills into Lebanon », Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, May 22, 2012, URL : http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/05/21/syrian-crisis-spills-into-lebanon/ausr, [3] Deborah Amos, « Syrian Uprising Raises The Specter Of Sectarian War”, National Program Radio, Januray 04 2012, URL : http://www.npr.org/2012/01/04/144626452/syrian-uprising-raises-the-specter-of-sectarian-war, [4] See for example, John Calabrese, « The Regional Implications of the Syria Crisis”,Middle East Institute, December 21, 2012, URL : http://www.mei.edu/content/regional-implications-syria-crisis, [5] On the history of relations between Azerbaijan and Syria, see the official website of Azerbaijan Foreign Affairs Ministry: http://www.google.az/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mfa.gov.az%2Ffiles%2Ffile%2FSuriya.pdf&ei=QkUFUeHRLe670QHTy4CwBA&usg=AFQjCNGVkE00HIKk4KlunN-qfm23I15gqw&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmQ, [6] Khadija Ismayilova, “Azerbaijan: Protests in Egypt Are Reverberating in Baku”, Eurasianet, January 31, 2011, URL : http://www.eurasianet.org/node/62802, [7] Joanna Lillis, « Will There Be a Central Asian Spring?”, Foreign Policy, January 26, 2012, URL : http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/24/will_there_be_a_central_asian_spring, [8] Kester Kenn Klomegah, « Arab Spring knocks at Azerbaijan’s door », Al Jazeera, April 12 2011, URL : http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/04/2011411112810697612.html, [9] M. Aliev, « Azerbaijan to highlight complexity of Syrian issue at UN Security Council », Trend Az, 4 January 2012, URL : http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1976342.html, [10] Marianna Grigorian, « Armenia: An Uncertain “Homecoming” for Syria’s Diaspora”, Eurasianet, July 31, 2011, URL : http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65728  Voir aussi Marianna Grigoryan, « Armenia: Syrian Refugees Resettling in Nagorno-Karabakh”, Eurasianet, January 24, 2013, URL : http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66446, [11] Eldar Mehdiev, “Azerbaijan to discuss settlement of occupied Azerbaijani territories by Syrian Armenians at PACE”, Trend, 8 August 2012, URL : http://en.trend.az/news/karabakh/2054397.html, [12] Gunel Ahmad, « Azerbaijan: Police Crack Down on Baku Protesters”, Eurasianet, January 26, 2013, URL : http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66454, [13] Bayram Balci, Altay Goyushov, “Changing Islam in Post-Soviet Azerbaijan and its impact on the Sunni-Shia cleavage”, in: Maréchal, Brigitte & Zemni, Sami,Contemporary Sunni-Shia relationships, Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2012). 237-54, URL : http://www.martinkramer.org/sandbox/reader/archives/syria-alawis-and-shiism/, [23] Moosa Matti, Extremist Shiites: the ghulat sects, Syracuse University Press, 1987. Further evidence is emerging of rebels from Syria being recruited to fight as mercenaries in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, a regime change in Damascus would be disastrous for Baku. Azerbaijan, like all of Syria’s regional neighbors, is affected by the ongoing civil war there. The society for friendship and cultural relations operates in Damascus. A Syrian … Iraq has always supported Azerbaijan’s just position in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, members of Iraqi parliament’s international relations committee have said during the meeting with Chargé d'Affaires of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iraq Nasir Mammadov, Azertag reported on September 16. After fighting Turkey’s battles in Libya, the Syrian National Army is caught in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan—and dozens are dying. Azerbaijan's victory in war brings out Israeli flags. [16] Those were involved in Afghanistan before, but their actual number in Syria and their story is hard to trace. "Armenia and Azerbaijan are faced with the challenge of becoming the next spot, like Syria and Libya. Until now, the Syrian crisis has had, overall, a limited impact on the largely secular Azerbaijan, which is geographically separated from the war-torn country by Iran and Turkey. [16], On 7–18 December 2015, with the financial support of the International Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AIDA) and the organization of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Jordan, humanitarian aid was distributed to 400 Syrian families settled in Jordan, including food and health products. 5 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas to Syria.[2][3]. However, Azerbaijan and Syria established diplomatic bilateral relations as early as 1992. The regime shares a lot with the deposed despots of Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, and even more with Assad’s Syria. More information about Syria is available on the Syria Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. The validity period of the visa is 15 days.[12]. Overshadowed by both Iran and Turkey, it finds itself stuck between the two major pro- and anti- Assad supports in the region. Azerbaijan has been independent for two decades, and over that period of time, it built neither strong political nor economic relations with Syria. Azerbaijan is one of the few majority Muslim countries besides Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Kosovo, Albania, Gulf countries and the other former Soviet republics to develop bilateral strategic and economic relations with Israel. Most post-Soviet autocratic regimes don’t feel secure from contagion[6] and have taken exceptional and giveaway measures out of self-protection. This article originally appeared in Foreign Policy Journal. Religion became a powerful cultural and national identity marker. U.S.-SYRIA RELATIONS. Russia, which has a military air base in Armenia, repeats its policy in Syria by working with several parties at once. This article is part of WikiProject Azerbaijan, which aims to improve Wikipedia's coverage of Azerbaijan-related topics. The ongoing bloodshed shows no sign of appeasement and Syria has reached an impasse. ... with Turkey while Israel maintains relations with Azerbaijan… Внешэкономсвязи, политика", "Syria supports Azerbaijan's fair position on Karabakh conflict – deputy FM", "Cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Syria", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Azerbaijan–Syria_relations&oldid=1007105051, Articles with dead external links from February 2021, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "Memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the chamber of shipping of Syria and the, "Memorandum of mutual cooperation between the, "Protocol of intent on cooperation between the. The small but oil-rich Caucasian country offers an original and interesting point of view, as it is itself a mixed nation of Sunni and Shia communities. Washington, DC 20036-2103. [22] Martin Kramer, « Syria’s Alawis and Shi‘ism », in Martin Kramer (ed. 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW [13] However, since the Syrian Civil War, Syria has been accused of supporting Armenia, Azerbaijan's arch-rival. Several studies have focused on its potential impact on Lebanon, Iraq, or Turkey,[4] but none so far has given insight into Azerbaijan’s perceptions of it. Turkish proselytes both governmental (from the Diyanet on behalf of Ankara) and private (mostly Saït Nursi’s and Fethullah Gülen’s disciples, but also Suleyman Tunahan’s followers and Osman Nuri Topbas’s naqshibendis) indirectly challenged the Shia influence from some of Iran’s most popular ayatollahs and marja’al taqlid. But the Syrian crisis weighs on the nation’s religious quarrels. The Salafi leader and prosecuted imam since 2008, Gamet Suleymanov, hardly ever mentions Syria in his preaches. Rumors are rumors but the strains in Iran-Syria relations is real. [11], Baku has apparently no interest in a change of regime in Damascus. With the exception of Ali Sistani, all are Iranians and based in Iran, and young Azerbaijani leaders like Haji Ilgar or Elshan Mustafaoglu were educated in Iran and remain close to the position of Iran’s greatest figures and for more political reasons than religious affinity with Syria’s Alawis. It is undeniable that the Azerbaijanis are traditionally little informed nor interested in what’s happening in the Middle East. [11], The two countries cooperate in a number of areas: energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, trade, science, education, health, ecology, construction, and so on. Soviet systematic anti-religion repression had relatively successfully turned a traditional Muslim society into secular socialist citizens and laymen. [4] The business forum resulted in the signing of 14 documents: In September 2009, the two governments signed an agreement to eliminate double taxation. The first independent republic of Azerbaijan (1918-1920) gave the illusion it had smoothed out all religious divides. [2][4], The citizens of Azerbaijan have the opportunity to obtain a visa at the border with Syria. "Memorandum of understanding between the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of electricity and renewable energy»; This page was last edited on 16 February 2021, at 14:04. Although to a lesser extent, as it is not an immediate neighbor to Syria, Azerbaijan is affected by the ongoing civil war. Azerbaijan wishes to cut free from the Russian influence and is still at war with Armenia over the Karabakh territory and other occupied Azerbaijani lands. Aliyev surely doesn’t want to shoot himself in the foot by supporting the Syrian opposition and give way to domestic social, political and economic claims. However, religious leaders, activists, and disciples follow Syrian updates with great interest because they resonate on the Azerbaijani religious scene. The spontaneous Islamic revival that followed was soon encouraged by foreign religious groups, originating among others from Turkey and Iran. U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992, following its independence from the Soviet Union. For national stability purposes, the Azerbaijani state has established a tight control over all religious groups through two institutions: the Muslim Board and the state Committee for Religious affairs, who are both in charge of promoting an official national Islamic faith and identity and for subduing to their authority (and to central power) all religious activists in the country. They are well aware the man is a tyrant, but the feeling that Arab spring revolutions will favor the Muslim Brotherhood is extremely pervasive in the Shia community. A recent poll shows that only 35 percent of the Azerbaijani believe the country is going in the right direction, against 34 percent who wish for a revolution on the example of what happened in Northern Africa, 14 percent who are disgruntled but favor the status quo and stability, and 17 percent who do not give an opinion, probably because they fear chaos in a Syria-like scenario, as shown by official media propaganda and reports. However, Azerbaijan and Syria established diplomatic bilateral relations as early as 1992. When questioned about his paradoxical attitude, he dodges the issue and gives a pure religious reading of the situation. They added: “There is no such thing as Western democratic intentions, nor for Syria, nor for any other Arab country; the West proved totally indifferent to the Shia uprising in Bahrein”. With a population of 60% Shia and 40% Sunni, Azerbaijan is under the direct influence of both Iran and Turkey. The Alawis of Syria do not recognize the authority of any marja’al taqlid, whether from Iran or Iraq, and remain loyal to their ancestral syncretic practice, known as ghulat or “excessive” by all other Shia schools. The Syrian war is a serious concern for the regime in Baku. Relations between Israel and Russia further improved after the Russian military intervention in Syria in September 2015. “The failure of those diplomatic efforts between Turkey and Armenia was a watershed for Turkey-Azerbaijan relations,” Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat who now chairs the … If you enjoyed reading this, subscribe for more! But it was not until May 2008 that Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Damascus. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar took sides with the opposition, which is mainly Sunni, while Iran, Bagdad, and Hezbollah in Lebanon[3] took sides with the Assad regime, which is supported essentially by the Shia/Alawite community, so that at the regional level, domestic and international politics alike are now affected by the Syrian war. Together, the two countries work to promote European energy security, expand bilateral trade and investment, and combat terrorism and transnational threats. The bloody conflict that has erupted between Azerbaijan and Armenia isn’t the result of ancestral hatreds or deep-seated animosity between Muslims and Christians.
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