Baku, November 20, 2024 — The Europe Today: Today marks the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Aghdam from Armenian occupation, a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s history that ended 27 years of control over the district.
The liberation followed the 44-day Patriotic War, which began with a counter-offensive by the Azerbaijani Army on September 27, 2020, and concluded on November 9, 2020. During this period, Azerbaijani forces reclaimed more than 300 residential settlements, including Aghdara, Murovdagh, and strategic highlands near Zangilan. The turning point came on November 8, 2020, with the liberation of Shusha, compelling Armenia to sign a trilateral statement of capitulation on November 10.
Under Article 2 of the trilateral statement, signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Aghdam city and the occupied portion of the Aghdam district were returned to Azerbaijan on November 20, 2020. Subsequently, Kalbajar and Lachin districts were also liberated on November 25 and December 1, respectively, without further loss of life.
In an address to the nation on November 20, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev hailed the liberation of Aghdam as a historic achievement, crediting the Azerbaijani Army’s decisive victory on the battlefield. “If Azerbaijan had not defeated Armenia militarily, they would not have withdrawn from our territories willingly,” he stated, emphasizing the significance of the military triumph under his leadership as Commander-in-Chief.
To honor this milestone, November 20 has been designated as Aghdam City Day under a decree issued by President Aliyev earlier this year. Additionally, a medal titled “For the Liberation of Aghdam” was established to recognize the heroism and bravery of servicemen who participated in the district’s liberation.
Aghdam, once a thriving district, suffered extensive destruction during its occupation, which began on July 23, 1993. Armenian forces looted and razed the city, destroying residential settlements, cultural monuments, and cemeteries. The minaret of the district’s mosque, which was left standing, became a symbol of its devastation. Renowned American journalist and writer Thomas de Waal, who visited the occupied territories in 2001, compared the destruction in Aghdam to that of Hiroshima following the 1945 atomic bombing, earning it the moniker “Hiroshima of the Caucasus.”
Today, Azerbaijan continues its efforts to rebuild and restore Aghdam, transforming it into a symbol of resilience and national pride. The anniversary of its liberation serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the strength of the Azerbaijani people in reclaiming their homeland.
