The scale of religious-ideological provocations, coordinated information operations, and cyberattacks against Azerbaijan is reported to be increasing.
elchi reports that this was stated in a statement by the Milli Məclis’s ad hoc commission for combating foreign interference and hybrid threats.
The statement emphasized that foreign actors have expanded hybrid attacks against the country against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s growing international influence, its role in energy security, its strategic importance in regional transit corridors, and domestic stability.
According to the commission, investigations conducted with relevant state bodies have identified activities aimed at manipulating public opinion, creating polarization in society, and undermining trust in state institutions.
It was stated that these operations are carried out through agents of influence operating inside and outside the country, secret organizations, hacker groups, foreign media outlets, fake social media accounts, and bots.
The statement also claimed that some forces operating in friendly and neighboring countries are trying to create ethnic, religious, and political conflicts in Azerbaijan by disseminating disinformation content through seemingly independent channels.
The commission noted that during hybrid threats, manipulative content is directed at specific audiences using social media algorithms, “echo chambers,” and “filter bubbles” mechanisms.
In addition, based on the results of ongoing monitoring, it was stated that Azerbaijani society has not succumbed to such provocations and supports the measures taken by the state.
The Milli Məclis’s ad hoc commission, together with relevant state bodies, declared that hybrid attacks have been prevented and that such attempts will not go unanswered in the future.
The commission also expressed its gratitude to the citizens of friendly and neighboring countries who condemned the activities directed against Azerbaijan.