Video Does Not Show Iranian Military Drill on Border With Azerbaijan
The Claim
Footage shows snippets from the “Conquerors of Khaybar” military drill on Iran’s northwestern border following increasingly tense relations with Azerbaijan.
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Emerging story
Users on Facebook and Twitter have recently circulated a video clip they claimed was of Iranian military drills – dubbed “Conquerors of Khaybar” – that took place northwest of Iran as relations with Azerbaijan strained.
Photo Description: The photo shows a screenshot taken from a video claiming to be part of Iranian “Conquerors of Khaybar” military drills following “soured relations with Turkey- and Israel-backed Azerbaijan.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it misleading. The video clip dates back earlier than claimed. It was taken as part of military exercises conducted by the Serbian military at the Pester plateau in Oct. 2020. The military training was attended by Serbian President and Supreme Commander Aleksandar Vučić, in addition to a number of the country’s ministers.
Photo Description: The photo showed the actual date when the video was taken, on Oct. 11, 2020.
Video Description: The original YouTube video shows the same footage, only dated Oct. 11, 2020.
Photo Description: The photo shows a screenshot of the video published on a Serbian website, dated Oct. 12, 2020.
The claim began to circulate following Iran’s launching of military drills dubbed last Oct. 01, 2021. The drills took place on Iran’s northwestern border with Azerbaijan and Armenia to improve the combat readiness of its military units in that region.
Translated by: Ahmed N. A. Almassri
