NON-COMBAT LOSSES EXCEED COMBAT LOSSES IN AZERI ARMED FORCES

Ayna
15 Sep 07
Baku

The Azerbaijani army had higher non-combat losses than combat
losses in the first nine months of 2007. By studying the print and
broadcast media, the Doktrina research centre established that in
2007 10 servicemen had been killed in combat (by Armenian snipers or
mine explosions), while 33 had died of other causes (suicide, road
accidents, bullying etc.) Comparing the data for 2007 with previous
years, the research centre traced an upward trend in the proportion
of non-combat to combat losses in the Azerbaijani military. The
following is the text of Casur Sumarinli’s report on Ayna web site,
entitled "Transitory army. Non-combat losses exceed combat losses in
Azerbaijani armed forces"; subheadings as published:

The Azerbaijani armed forces have lost almost 50 men in the first
nine months of 2007. According to information from the Doktrina
journalists’ military research centre, 47 servicemen died during this
period. Sixty-six were wounded or injured by various causes in the
same period.

In 2006 the armed forces lost at least 48 men. They lost 39 men in
2005, 35 in 2004 and 75 in 2003.

Breakdown of losses

This year of those who lost their lives 42 were servicemen from
the Defence Ministry, two from the State Border Service, two from
the Internal Troops and one from the National Security Ministry,
according to research in the print and electronic media carried out
by the Doktrina centre.

For comparison, in 2006 46 men serving in Defence Ministry military
units died and two in Border Service units. In 2005 35 of those who
died were from the Defence Ministry, three from the State Border
Service and one from the Internal Troops. In 2004 30 of those who
died were from the Ministry of Defence, three from the State Border
Service and one from the Azerbaijan Higher Military School and Internal
Troops respectively.

Of those who died in 2007, 41 were soldiers, one was a sergeant,
one a cadet, two were warrant officers and two were officers
(lieutenants). Of those who died in 2006, 36 were soldiers, one a
petty sergeant, two warrant officers and nine were officers. Of those
who died in 2005 32 were soldiers, one a petty sergeant, two warrant
officers and four were officers. Of those who died in 2004 most (27)
were soldiers. Five officers also died that year.

Those who died in 2007 had been called up by 33 district army
commissariats. Four of the servicemen who died were from Ismailli
District. The same number came from districts in the city of Baku.

Other soldiers came from Saki (three), Xacmaz (two), Qobustan (two),
Xanlar (two), Calilabad (two) and Qazax districts. Each of the
remaining districts reported one loss.

More of those who died in 2006 had been called up from various Baku
districts. In 2005 more deaths were registered amongst conscripts
from Masalli, Saki and Ganca commissariats than from other districts.

In 2003-04 Baku was the "leader" again in this respect.

The largest number of those who died in 2007, at least 13 people,
were born in 1988. Those born in 1988 [as published], 1987, 1986,
1983 and 1976 come next. Approximately 19 of the 47 who died had been
conscripted to military service during different call-ups in 2006.

Five had been called up in 2005 and three in 2007.

Combat losses

There were more non-combat losses than combat losses this year in
the Azerbaijani armed forces, according to research in the print and
electronic media carried out by the Doktrina centre. Experts say this
trend has been continuing since 2005. In 2007 the Azerbaijani armed
forces lost around 14 people in combat situations.

Armenian bullets

This year around 10 people have been killed by enemy bullets.

Research shows that the main fatal incidents occurred in Agdam and
Fuzuli districts. Five soldiers fell victim to Armenian bullets in
each of the two districts. Research shows that our soldiers encounter
Armenian bullets mainly because of carelessness. At the same time it
cannot be ruled out that some complications occur during the course
of field engineering work.

In 2006 12 of our servicemen were killed by Armenian snipers’ bullets,
in 2005 22, in 2004 nine and in 2003 34.

Mine explosions

Recently in 2007 four people died in mine explosions. Two incidents
occurred in Naxcivan. Two other incidents occurred in Fuzuli and
Agdam districts respectively. However, monitoring of such incidents
since 2005 shows that the number of mine explosions in Azerbaijan is
gradually increasing. Experts think that there may be two reasons for
this: the first is that the Azerbaijani armed forces have intensified
their engineering work at their positions, the second is carelessness
and a lack of skilled personnel in mine engineering.

One person was killed by a mine explosion in 2006, two in 2005,
four in 2004 and seven in 2003.

Suicides

The number of suicides has continued an upward trend in 2007. This year
nine of our soldiers have committed suicide. The incidents occurred at
military units in Sarur, Ganca, Tartar, Tovuz, Lankaran, Xizi, Qazax
and Goranboy. Research shows that the number of suicides has soared
this year compared to last year. A number of negative instances in
the Azerbaijani armed forces are the cause. Research shows that the
reasons for the suicides were bullying, non-regulation behaviour,
bribery, violence, verbal abuse, humiliation and the like.

Seven of our servicemen committed suicide in 2006, four in 2005,
four in 2004 and eight in 2003.

Road accidents

Six servicemen have died in the many car accidents that have occurred
this year. According to experts, in the past two years losses from
accidents caused by army vehicles in Azerbaijan have become more
serious. Research shows that the main reason for this is that vehicles
in the army are poorly maintained and quite a lot of army drivers do
not fully appreciate the responsibility of their work.

In 2006 eight of our servicemen died in car accidents and one in
2005. Monitoring of 2004 and 2003 did not reveal any such accidents.

Non-regulation behaviour

There has been a sharp increase in cases of non-regulation behaviour
that cause a range of negative incidents in the army, but this deadlock
in relations between servicemen can still be tackled. Taking this
idea forward, experts think it necessary to take urgent action to
create healthy relationships in the army.

At least 10 servicemen died in 2007 as a result of non-regulation
behaviour in the army. Research has shown that most incidents this
year took place in military units in Ganca, Tartar, Gadabay, Beylaqan,
Tovuz, Calilabad, Fuzuli and Agdam. Observers think that instances
of non-regulation behaviour are the cause of the increase in both
suicide and desertion.

In 2006 five of our servicemen died as a result of non-regulation
incidents, four in 2005, 10 in 2004 and 13 in 2003.

Accidents

According to figures for 2007, four servicemen have died as result
of accidents in the armed forces. The injuries had various causes –
avalanche, fire, and negligence. Monitoring shows that the number
of fatalities caused by accidents in the Azerbaijani armed forces in
2007 is slightly less than in previous years.

Ten of our servicemen died in accidents in 2006, four in 2005 and
eight in 2004. No accidents were registered in 2003.

Illness and poisoning

If information had not recently been circulated about a mass outbreak
of poisoning in soldiers serving in a military unit in Qala, they
would not have thought of taking serious action to protect the health
of army servicemen. According to research, one of our soldiers died
from illness in the armed forces in 2007. The reason was a heart
defect. On the whole we should note that since roughly the middle of
2004 the war on illness and similar instances in the army has produced
some quite positive results.

One of our soldiers died from illness or related problems in 2006
and seven in 2003. No cases were recorded in 2005 and 2004.

Unexplained cases

There have been three unexplained deaths in the armed forces recently
this year and in these and other instances the media have been kept
in the dark about who died and of what causes. Research shows that
the uncertainty around these incidents and the failure to disclose
them to the public create a number of negative impressions, including
that the army is being built ineffectively.

One of our servicemen died from unknown causes in 2006, one in 2005,
two in 2004 and one in 2003.

Wounded

This year 66 people have been wounded or hurt in some way in the
armed forces. Research by the Doktrina centre has revealed that of
these 40 people were injured (or wounded) in car accidents, nine
in mine explosions, nine by Armenian bullets, seven as a result of
non-regulation behaviour and one as a result of negligence.

The Doktrina centre has shed light on incidents of wounding and injury
in recent years. There is information that 38 of our army servicemen
were wounded (or injured) in 2006, 44 in 2005, 20 in 2004 and 35
in 2003.

Total

Experts think that non-regulation incidents, suicide and accidents
are increasing in the armed forces. To sum up, in 2003-2007, that
is over 57 months, the Azerbaijani armed forces lost at least 244
servicemen. Of them, 105 died in combat (87 from Armenian bullets
and 18 from mine explosions) and 139 died in non-combat situations.

During this period more than 203 servicemen were wounded or injured
by various causes.

We should note that monitoring of the press services of Azerbaijan’s
power structures at different times confirmed this information.

Note: This article has been submitted to the competition "Azerbaijani
army: daily reality".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress