8 November 2020 is inscribed in the history of Azerbaijan as Victory Day in golden letters. Led by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the glorious victory of Azerbaijani army in the 44-day Patriotic War has finally put the lid on the long-lasting conflict. 

The historical victory achieved by the Azerbaijani Army is of special significance from the point of view of the interests of the state and the people. Liberation of our lands, which had been under occupation for many years, first of all restored the confidence of the Azerbaijani people in their power, strengthened the people’s trust in their leader, his policy and their loyalty to Heydar Aliyev’s ideas.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly exposed Armenia’s aggressive policy at important international events and declared to the whole world that the aggressor adheres to fascist ideology and that terrorism is supported at the state level. In particular, the result of the efforts of Azerbaijani diplomacy in recent years has created an appropriate legal basis for the documents and resolutions of such international organizations as the UN Security Council, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States, etc. This significantly strengthened Azerbaijan’s legitimate position in the information war, played an important role in the victory of historical justice against fascist ideology, ethnic cleansing, genocide, state terrorism and occupation policy of Armenia. Armenian lies and policies pursued by Armenia for many years were fully exposed.

The Second Karabakh Patriotic War, which started on 27 September to liberate our occupied lands, ended on 10 November 2020 with the victory of Azerbaijan and surrender of the enemy. As a result of 44-day military operations, about 300 settlements were liberated, including Fuzuli city, Jabrail city, Zangilan city, Gubadli city, Hadrut, Sugovushan and other settlements. On 8 November, President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev announced to the people about the liberation of Shusha.

It meant that the victory was approaching. On 9 November our valiant army liberated more than 70 villages, 1 settlement and 8 strategic heights. On 10 November Armenia raised the “white flag” and signed the capitulation declaration.

This victory once again demonstrated to the world to whom Shusha, which had been under Armenian occupation for almost 30 years, really belongs. The liberation of this city, reflecting an important part of the historical memory of the Azerbaijani people, a city with unique architectural features and at the same time of military and strategic importance, led to the beginning of a new stage in the life of our entire country. It was after the liberation of Shusha from occupation that Armenia was forced to sign the capitulation act. The visits of the President of Azerbaijan to the city of Shusha, preparation of the general plan of the city in a short period of time once again confirm the deep spiritual significance of this city for Azerbaijan and every Azerbaijani. Great works have been done, such as restoration of the museum and mausoleum complex of Molla Panah Vagif, opening of the Bulbul House-Museum, statue of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, restoration of historical, religious and architectural monuments here. The President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that all necessary measures will be taken to make Shusha one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

As a result of Operation Iron Fist, a new history of Azerbaijan was written. This victory was a vivid confirmation of the military power of the modern Azerbaijani State and the determination of the Azerbaijani people to achieve victory. As a symbol of our victory, the majestic Victory Parade held on 10 December 2020 solemnly demonstrated to the whole world the strength and pride of the victorious Azerbaijani Army. Today, we can proudly say that the Azerbaijani Army is among the strongest armies of the world. Psychological preparation, patriotism and fighting spirit of our servicemen are very high, and with our historic victory the whole international community has once again become a living witness of it. With the 44-day Patriotic War we showed the whole world that we are an invincible nation. President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the nation on the occasion of liberation of Kalbajar from occupation said: “The war showed again who is who. Armenia is a defeated country, Azerbaijan is a victorious country”. The Armenian myth was shattered by our glorious army, the Armenian army was defeated and knelt before us. They will live with this stigma for the rest of their lives. We will live with pride as a victorious nation. Today, Azerbaijan has reunited with Karabakh, achieved a historic victory, and our martyrs, our innocent people, the people who died during the genocide committed by Armenians have been avenged on the battlefield.

By the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated December 3, 2020, it was decided to solemnly celebrate November 8 as Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan every year in order to perpetuate this unprecedented victory, which has become a celebration of the power of our people and our national pride. It is of exceptional importance for the authority of our country and the future development of our state.

Recommended literature:

1. Bahar Sonam, R. Zəfər - 44 günlük Qarabağ müharibəsi - Azərbaycanın hərbi və diplomatik uğurları / R. Bahar Sonam ; Azərbaycan Respublikasının Qeyri-Hökumət Təşkilatlarına Dövlət Dəstəyi Agentliyi. - Bakı : Adiloğlu, 2022. - 304 s.
2. Bahar Sonam, R. Zəfər - 44 günlük Qarabağ müharibəsi - Azərbaycanın hərbi və diplomatik uğurları / R. Bahar Sonam; Azərbaycan Respublikasının Qeyri-Hökumət Təşkilatlarına Dövlət Dəstəyi Agentliyi. - Bakı : Adiloğlu, 2022. - 304 s.
3. İbrahimov, Xaqani. Zəfər günü / X. İbrahimov ; elmi red. N. Q. Cəfərov. - Bakı : Avropa nəşriyyatı, 2021. - 432 s.
4. Zəfər memuarları : döyüşçülər sərkərdə və müharibə haqqında / A. R. Abdullazadə, Q. M. Ağayev, R. Ə. Aslanov [et al.] ; Bakı Şəhər İcra Hakimiyyəti. - Bakı : Şərq-Qərb, 2021. - 324 s.
5. Zəfər salnaməsi / Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası ; bur. məsul R. Kazımov ; red.: G. Cəfərova, A. Quliyeva. - Bakı : Şərq-Qərb, 2021. - 536 s.
6. Zəfər salnaməsi = Хроники победы = A Chronicle of Victory / Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin Administrasiyası ; layihənin rəh., baş red. M. Mərcanlı ; fot.: S. Kivrin [et al.]. - Dubai : IRS Publishing House, 2021. - 189 s.
7. Vətən müharibəsi - 44 gün / "Respublika" qəzeti ; layihənin rəh. X. Vəliyev ; tərt. T. Ə. Əhmədov ; bur. məsul M. Mirzə. - Bakı : Nurlar NPM, 2020. - 480 s.
8. 44 gün Vətən Müharibəsi : Hulusi Kılıç informasiya cəbhəsində / ideya müəl. G. Yaz ; red. C. Qədir. - Bakı : XAN nəşriyyatı, 2021. - 152 s.
9. Müdrik siyasət və Qarabağ zəfəri / N. Hüseynova, N. Cəbrayılzadə, N. Həmidli [et al.] ; red. E. İmanov ; Bakı Şəhər İcra Hakimiyyəti. - Bakı : Hədəf Nəşrləri, 2021. - 224 s.
10. Уроки дипломатии длиною в 44 дня / Институт Права и Прав Человека НАНА ; авт. идеи А. Мустафазаде. - Баку : Elm və təhsil, 2021. - 281 с.
11. История Отечественной войны : фактор личности: 27 сентября - 10 ноября 2020 года / Исполнительная власть города Баку, Институт Истории им. А.А. Бакиханова НАНА ; рук. проекта, авт. предисл. Э. Азизов ; науч. ред. К. К. Шукюров. - Баку : Шарг-Гарб, 2022. - 444 с.
12. Vatan Savaşı Tarihi : Şahsiyet Faktörü: 27 Eylül - 10 Kasım 2020 / AMBA A.A. Bakihanov adına Tarihi Enstütü, Bakü Şehir İcra Hâkimiyeti ; proje başkanı, önsöz E. Azizov ; ed. K. Şükürov. - Bakü : Şerq-Qerb, 2022. - 444 s.