The town of Zangilan, located in the East Zangazur area of the south-western part of Azerbaijan has a unique historical and military importance. Shelling occurred by Armenian armed forces in 1993 during the First Garabagh War and the district was subjected to destruction for 27 years until October 20, 2020 when Azerbaijani forces took it back. Today Azerbaijan celebrates the fourth anniversary of this historic event which was a strategic shift in the country’s offense towards the liberation of occupied territories.
Liberation of Zangilan and Neighboring Villages
The liberation of Zangilan is considered as a part of that period of the Second Karabakh War, where Azerbaijani troops proved themselves capable of recovering lost territories rapidly. The cities of Zangilan and six villages of Havali, Zarnali, Mammadbeyli, Hekari, Sharifan, and Mughanli were liberated from Armenian occupation on October 20, 2020, said the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The recapture was not only limited to Zangilan; other villages from Fuzuli, Khojavend and Jabrayil districts were also ‘liberated’ from the militants, which clearly exhibited that returning sovereignty of Azerbaijan on a large portion of their land.
Discovering the Wonderful Natural Resources and Geographical Advantages of Zangilan
Situated in the strip of the border with Iran, the area of the region is 707 square kilometers Zangilan region invest in the beautiful landscapes. It features mountains, steep heights, plane fields of tulips, and productive forests. Occupation is associated with the destruction of natural resources such as the forests which were eliminated, the infrastructures that were destroyed, yet Zangilan, remains beautiful, symbolizing both strength and a future.
In the past, people of Zangilan rayon widely engaged in agriculture and nomadic livestock breeding. But during the occupation, these resources were used actively by the Armenians and led to great amounts of ecological and economical damage. The Government of Azerbaijan has not spared any effort to restore Zangilan following liberation from occupation with the aim of transforming a city reduced to rubble into a city of opportunity.
Rapid Reconstruction and Development
The change that has occurred in the region of Zangilan after the liberation was very fast- moving and significant. The reconstruction activities that have been realized in this region have been led directly by the president Ilham Aliyev. On October 3, 2024, during his visit to Zangilan, President Aliyev, together with Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, assessed the progress of ongoing construction work and the construction of the Zangilan Recreation Complex and the Digital Control Centre for the construction of the Zangilan Electric Power Network. The most important were the preparation of the construction sites of new residential districts, as the laying of the first piles for the construction of apartments suggested the beginning of the renaissance of the region.
There is also the development of Zangilan City master plan up to 2040, which defines the further economic and socialsolid development of the region. As part of this plan, the construction of a unique Smart Village in Agali is provided, aimed at the development of effective programs for sustainable farming and following the use of modern technology in everyday life. It was only in 2023 that the residents of Agali started to occupy the houses which meant the starting of a new phase in the lives of the people of this village.
Minjivan and the Zangazur Corridor: The Strategic Perspective
Minjivan is an Azeri village located in Zangilan and has great importance in terms of geographical communication routes of cars, trains, and oil pipes. Grazed during the occupation, Minjivan is currently in the process of its reconstruction and development; the construction of 630 homes by 2040 is planned to accommodate almost 9,000 people. This development will be a symbol of tenacity and growth to realize the larger vision of the Zangazur corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through vital connectivity routes.
Zangilan International Airport: A Gateway to the Future
On 21 October 2022, Zangilan International Airport started its operation, thus adding more value to the region’s strategic importance. The opening of the airport to which President Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended is a huge success in the big plan of turning Zangilan into a major transport center linking Azerbaijan to the rest of the world.
Zangilan has also turned into an important centre of international events. In terms of the humanitarian demining, the town coorganized with the UNDP the 3rd International Conference on Humanitarian Demining in May 2024 where more than 300 participants from 75 countries were discussing the problems of landmine mitigation and environmental rehabilitation. The event was also a pointer to the fact that Zangilan could be the hub of global interaction s on some of the most pertinent global issues.
Conclusion
Zangilan province also proves that Azerbaijan submits to the imperatives of the revival of the territories after years of occupation. With its breathtaking sceneries and essential geographical location it is.
Mr. Malik M. Shafiq is the Managing Editor of “The Europe Today”. An expert on history, political science and current affairs. He is recognized as an authority on the National Issues, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China, Climate Change, and Central Asia.
