September 27 is a significant date in Azerbaijan’s history. It is a day of remembrance and honouring of those who sacrificed their lives for the Country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and have been observed as Remembrance Day since 2020. It is also the first day of the Patriotic War, one of the most important events in Azerbaijan’s modern history, which is a witness to what a determined country, led by resolute and visionary leaders can achieve.
A Response to Necessity
On 27th September 2020, after Armenia conducted a massive military offensive against Azerbaijan’s military positions and Azerbaijani civilian settlements, Azerbaijan carried out counter-offensive operations to protect its citizens and its territory. The Patriotic War of 44 days had started following the aggression. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces, under the command of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, liberated the territories that had been occupied for almost 30 years, thereby restoring the territorial integrity of the country.
This success came about over time. It had been a long, patient course of national preparation, foresight and strategy.
Patience
International calls for the withdrawal of Armenia’s occupation troops were ignored for nearly three decades and some 20 per cent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognised territory has been under Armenian occupation. Azerbaijan has always tried to solve the issue through peaceful means by using negotiation and international mediation during this period.
President Ilham Aliyev’s approach over these years was an unusual blend of wisdom and foresight. He maintained the door remains open for diplomacy, but was keen to improve the state institutions, have a resilient and diversified economy, and modernise the country’s defence capabilities. Those conscious efforts were the basis on which Azerbaijan would later protect its sovereignty. At the time of trial, the nation was prepared; it was not a reaction that had occurred in a few seconds, but a long-term vision.
Defence
Azerbaijan’s people suffered immensely from the war. Missiles, rockets and artillery were fired repeatedly at the cities, towns and villages of Aghdam, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Goranboy, Naftalan and Tartar. There were 98 civilian deaths, 414 serious civilian injuries, and over 3,000 civilian houses and 100 apartment blocks destroyed or damaged. In this adversity, the people of the country were united behind their Commander-in-Chief and his calm voice for 44 days instilled confidence in them that their sacrifices would not be lost.
Shusha: The Crown of Victory
The campaign led to the liberation of many towns, cities and villages. Of these, the liberation of Shusha on November 8, 2020 is one of the most significant days in the history of the country. The epicenter of Azerbaijani culture, music and poetry was Shusha, which was once restored to the rightful place in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. On November 10, two days later, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a trilateral statement that helped end the bloodshed.
The success stemmed from a well-defined strategy, which was executed both on and off the battlefield, with military efforts being backed by diplomatic maneuvering, all managed personally by President Aliyev.
Price for Victory
There was much loss for victory. In the Patriotic War, 2,908 servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were martyred, six were missing and over a thousand were wounded or lost their health as a result of the Patriotic War. This liberation of Azerbaijani lands was achieved thanks to the courage and sacrifice of martyrs, soldiers, officers and veterans, which will be remembered forever in the nation’s memory. Remembrance Day is a day that is theirs. It’s the day when Azerbaijan bows its head and thanks those who sacrificed their lives and future generations are able to live in dignity and freedom.
The Great Return
President Aliyev’s mission was not over after the war, but was starting. It was under his leadership that Azerbaijan started an ambitious initiative to reconstruct liberated territories and facilitate return of the Azerbaijanis on their ancestral lands. The reconstruction of cities, towns and villages is from scratch. Infrastructure is being restored, and modern social and economic facilities are being developed, where there was only ruins before. At the heart of these activities is the “Great Return” initiative, which has seen families effect the homecoming of the liberation that was long overdue for them after almost three decades of waiting.
A Leader for Peace
President Aliyev has also worked tirelessly for peace and stability in the South Caucasus in addition to reconstruction. The process of normalisation of Armenia’s relations, including the initialization of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations and the signing of the Joint Declaration in Washington on 8 August 2025, is a milestone in the path towards a durable peace in the region. The developments mirror a state of mind of a statesman who knows that security and prosperity are best ensured when neighbours are in cooperation rather than confrontation and that this can be a promise not only for Azerbaijan but for the region.
Remembering the Past, Building the Future
September 27 is not just a day of remembrance for Azerbaijan. It’s a time to remember what it took to secure the nation’s independence and a time to recommit the nation to a peaceful and safe future. This is a day of condolences for Azerbaijan, a day of respect and gratitude towards all martyrs, towards the veterans of the war and towards all those who sacrificed their lives. It is also a day when the efforts of the President Ilham Aliyev, who led the people of Azerbaijan with patience for many years, days of war and years of work of reconstruction and reconciliation in the country, are being remembered. His legacy is in the renovated map of Azerbaijan, in the rebuilt streets of the liberated cities, and in the hope of a peaceful South Caucasus. Let the remembrance of the martyrs be perpetual, let their sacrifice be remembered forever.
Owner of “The Europe Today” and Patron-In-Chief/Owner of “The Gulf Observer”, Chairman “The Gulf Observer Research Forum”, Foreign Affairs Expert, Analyst, International Award Winning Author and Poet.
