ANKARA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye on Thursday strongly condemned drone attacks on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, warning that such strikes risk widening the regional conflict.
"We strongly condemn the UAV attacks carried out today against Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling for an immediate halt to actions that could escalate tensions.
"Attacks targeting third countries in the region and increasing the risk of the war spreading must end immediately. Türkiye will continue to stand by Azerbaijan, as it always has," it said.
The attacks occurred around midday, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said. One drone struck the terminal of Nakhchivan International Airport, injuring two civilians and causing structural damage, while another fell near a school in Shakarabad village. The ministry said the strikes violated international law and would heighten regional tensions.
The ministry also summoned the Iranian envoy in Baku to lodge a "strong protest" over the incident.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said it is "preparing the necessary retaliatory measures," adding that the attacks "will not go unanswered."
Later in the day, Azerbaijan reportedly closed part of its airspace in the south near Iran. The airspace is said to remain closed for 12 hours.
Iran on Thursday denied involvement in the incident. The General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces told state news agency IRNA that it respects the sovereignty of all countries, particularly neighboring and Muslim states, and has not launched any drones toward Azerbaijan.
Nakhchivan is an Azerbaijani exclave separated from the main part of the country by Armenia and borders Armenia, Iran, and Türkiye. ■
