Caspian military drills: Five nations unite, Russia excluded

In July, five former USSR countries are set to carry out joint military exercises over the Caspian Sea, notably without Russia's involvement, sparking immediate concern in Moscow.

The military drills, dubbed "Birlestik-2024" (Kazakh for "Unity-2024"), will involve the armed forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This decision was reached in early April at a defense ministers' meeting in Aktau, Kazakhstan, along the Caspian Sea.

Details on the troop numbers participating in the exercises remain unspecified. However, according to the IntelliNews portal, the drills are described as "operational-tactical command-staff exercises" focusing on "combat training missions in a conflict zone."

Kazakhstan will host the exercises on its territory, specifically on the Oyamaz peninsula in the Mangystau region (in southwestern Kazakhstan) and at Tokmak Cape by the Caspian Sea.

While four Central Asian countries have previously held joint military drills, the inclusion of Azerbaijan this time is intriguing, according to analysts. More bewildering, however, is Russia's exclusion from the exercises.

Notably, the "Birlestik-2024" drills are not affiliated with any international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (which includes all participating states except Azerbaijan, along with Russia and China) or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which counts Belarus, Armenia, and Russia among its members, but not Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Among the participants, four countries are members of the Organisation of Turkic States, Tajikistan being the exception. Experts find the invitation extended to Tajikistan particularly puzzling, raising questions about the exercises' objectives. If the intent were to simulate a conflict with Afghanistan, it would seem logical to hold the drills in countries bordering Afghanistan rather than by the Caspian Sea.

Analysts also highlight the absence of Russia and Iran, both Caspian Sea neighbors, from the exercises. Neither country was invited, even as observers. Russia has been drawn to this fact, while Iran has not yet offered an official response. However, there is still time until July, and the possibility remains that invitations could be extended to Moscow and Tehran.

The countries announcing their participation in the "Birlestik-2024" drills are part of the Middle Corridor, a trade and transport route linking China with Europe, circumventing Russia. This route has seen accelerated development since 2022, following the imposition of sanctions on Russia by Western countries due to its actions in Ukraine. Additionally, the significance of this corridor has increased following attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi militias in Yemen.

As noted by IntelliNews analysts, the key takeaway from these maneuvers is the collaboration in security matters among the participating countries without involving regional powerhouses. The portal views this positively.

Source: PAP