Drone Strike From Iran Triggers Full Military Readiness in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has placed its armed forces on full combat readiness and begun mobilizing reservists following a drone attack near its border with Iran, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense on March 6.

The move came after President Ilham Aliyev authorized what officials described as “Mobilization No. 1,” a measure that places the military on the highest level of operational alert. Under the order, Azerbaijani forces are deploying units to combat positions or pre-designated operational areas.

The Ministry of Defense outlined the steps involved in the mobilization in a statement published on its official Telegram channel.

The escalation follows an incident on Thursday, March 5, when two drones launched from Iranian territory reportedly struck targets in the Nakhchivan region, an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran.

According to Azerbaijani authorities, one of the drones hit the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, located roughly 10 kilometers from the Iranian border. The second drone reportedly crashed near a school in the village of Shakarabad.

Two people were injured in the attacks, and the airport building sustained damage.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike, describing it as “a gross violation of international law.” Following the incident, Iran’s ambassador in Baku was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed a formal protest note.

Azerbaijani officials also demanded that Tehran conduct a full investigation into the attack and provide assurances that similar incidents will not occur again.

Earlier, Azerbaijan closed part of its southern airspace for 12 hours after saying four Iranian drones crossed its border.

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