Marine Infantry of Azerbaijan
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Marine Infantry Battalion
| native_name = {{lang|az|Dəniz Piyada Taburu}}
| image = File:Marine Corps of Azerbaijan at the Victory Parade 2020 in Baku 2.jpg
| caption = A formation of marines at the Baku Victory Parade of 2020.
| dates =
| start_date = 1994
| country = {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
| branch = {{navy|Azerbaijan}}
| type = Marines
| specialization = Amphibious reconnaissance
Amphibious warfare
Armoured warfare
Artillery observer
Anti-tank warfare
Bomb disposal
CBRN defense
Close-quarters combat
Counterinsurgency
Demining
Desert warfare
Fire support
Force protection
HUMINT
Indirect fire
Intelligence assessment
Maneuver warfare
Military engineering
Naval boarding
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Urban warfare
| size = 2,000
| command_structure = Azerbaijan Armed Forces
| garrison = Zikh (outskirts of Baku)
| march =
| mascot =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| equipment = IWI Tavor X95{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/28/azeri-army-day-parade-reveals-aztex-rifle-x95-purchase/|title=Azeri Army Day Parade Reveals AZTEX Rifle, X95 Purchase -|date=28 June 2018}}
}}
The Marine Infantry Battalion ({{langx|az|Dəniz Piyada Taburu}}) is a marine corps of the Republic of Azerbaijan.{{Cite web|author=N.Novruz|date=5 August 2017|title=В фарватере НАТО|url=https://www.goal.az/project/news/44725|access-date=28 November 2020|website=goal.az}} It serves in combat operations an amphibious assault force of the Azerbaijani Navy.{{Cite web|title=Azerbaijan Navy|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/azerbaijan/navy.htm|access-date=2020-12-21|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.anl.az/down/meqale/azerbaycan/2013/avqust/320783.htm|access-date=2020-12-21|website=www.anl.az|title=Azərbaycan Milli Kitabxanası}}{{Cite web|last=By|first=modern az|title=Azərbaycanın keçmış müdafiə naziri məqalə yazdı|url=https://modern.az/az/news/25781/azerbaycanin-kecmis-mudafie-naziri-meqale-yazdi|access-date=2020-12-21|website=modern.az}} It is currently based in Zığ. Its polygon is on Wulf Island in the Bay of Baku.{{Cite web|date=2012-04-25|title=Specnazopedia - всё о спецназе России|url=http://specnazopedia.narod.ru/spnazerbai.html|access-date=2020-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425063530/http://specnazopedia.narod.ru/spnazerbai.html|archive-date=2012-04-25}}
Overview
Due to a need for extra troops on the front lines of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, a Marine Battalion was formed from the personnel of the naval and ground units of the Naval Forces. The battalion was sent on 19 April 1994{{Cite web|url=https://ordu.az/az/news/123758/azerbaycan-hdq-kecmisden-bu-gune--qarabag-muharibesinde-istirak-eden-deniz-piyada-taborumuz-–-fotolar-|title=Azərbaycan HDQ keçmişdən bu günə: Qarabağ müharibəsində iştirak edən Dəniz Piyada Taborumuz – FOTOLAR}} to the front in order to prevent an enemy offensive in the Aghdam, returning on 25 July upon the successful completion of its combat mission.{{Cite web|title=МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБОРОНЫ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ|url=https://mod.gov.az/ru/voenno-morskie-sily-755/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБОРОНЫ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ|language=ru}} A United States Navy delegation visited Baku from 15 to 18 September 2009 to familiarize themselves with the service combat activities of the unit.{{Cite web|last=APA.az|date=|title=Военнослужащие США ознакомятся с батальоном морской пехоты Военно-морских сил Азербайджана|url=https://apa.az/ru/azerbaydjanskaya-armiya/-141675|access-date=2020-11-28|website=apa.az|language=az}} Exchanges of marines have also been carried out with a number of foreign countries.
= 2020 Karabakh war =
Members of the marine infantry took part in hostilities during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The marines took part in the capture of the Qubadli District.{{Cite web|last=MENAFN|title=President Aliyev congratulates commanders for liberation of Gubadli city, villages of Gubadli district|url=https://menafn.com/1101018833/President-Aliyev-congratulates-commanders-for-liberation-of-Gubadli-city-villages-of-Gubadli-district|access-date=2020-12-21|website=menafn.com}} They were honored alongside other military personnel at the Baku Victory Parade on Azadliq Square on 10 December. The marine formation was led by First Class Captain Zaur Guliyev.{{Cite web|date=10 December 2020|title=Hərbi Dəniz Qüvvələrinin Zəfər yürüşü – VİDEO|url=https://oxu.az/war/447922|access-date=11 December 2020|work=Oxu.az|language=az}} Captain Guliyev was earlier awarded the title of Hero of the Patriotic War.{{Cite web|title=Распоряжение Президента Азербайджанской Республики О присвоении звания "Герой Отечественной войны" военнослужащим Вооруженных сил Азербайджанской Республики|url=https://mod.gov.az/ru/news/rasporyazhenie-prezidenta-azerbajdzhanskoj-respubliki-o-prisvoenii-zvaniya-geroj-otechestvennoj-vojny-voennosluzhashim-v-34032.html|access-date=2020-12-21|website=МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБОРОНЫ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ|language=ru}} Personnel of the marine infantry completed their missions and returned to their base on 1 December, during which the Commander of the Naval Forces Rear Admiral Subhan Bekirov expressed gratitude to them.{{Cite web|last=MENAFN|title=Azerbaijani marine infantry personnel return to place of permanent deployment [PHOTO]|url=https://menafn.com/1101219214/Azerbaijani-marine-infantry-personnel-return-to-place-of-permanent-deployment-PHOTO|access-date=2020-12-21|website=menafn.com}}