Azerbaijan Embassy in Pakistan marked the third anniversary of the second Karabakh War, commemorated as “Victory Day”, that resulted in the liberation of the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh territories by Azerbaijan from Armenia.
November 8 is celebrated in Azerbaijan as the day when conflict ended with the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation of the Armenian forces after 30 years. The 44-day war in 2020 led to the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Celebrations in Islamabad
In Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad, the ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The hall was beautifully adorned with blue-red-green Azerbaijani flags.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi, and others joined Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov in cutting cake to celebrate the Victory Day of Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event was also attended by Pakistan’s deputy federal minister for fefense production Humayun Ahmed, senators, ambassadors, and diplomats of foreign countries in Pakistan, Pakistani Armed Forces officers. Azerbaijani citizens living in Pakistan also participated in the reception.
The event also featured videos depicting Azerbaijan’s historical victory, the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories, as well as Pakistan’s solidarity with Azerbaijan.
Highlights from Ambassador’s speech
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov began his speech congratulating his fellow countrymen and friends in Pakistan.
“November 8 is celebrated as Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan every year. Three years ago, Azerbaijan liberated its territories from Armenian occupation and restored its territorial integrity. We honor with deep respect and gratitude our Martyrs who gave their precious lives for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of our country” he said in the beginning of the speech.
Farhadov expressed deep gratitude to Pakistanis for their moral and diplomatic support during the occupation and 44 days of the Patriotic War. “It is no coincidence that the Pakistani flag is waved along with the Azerbaijani and Turkish flags in Azerbaijan by the common people as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Pakistani brothers and sisters.”
Here are some key points about the significance of Victory Day from the ambassador’s speech:
- Azerbaijan celebrates Victory Day on November 8, marking the third anniversary of the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation.
- Armenia occupied 20% of Azerbaijani territories for nearly three decades and committed war crimes during the occupation.
- The Khojaly Genocide in 1992 resulted in the death of 613 innocent civilians, including women and children.
- The United Nations and various international organizations issued resolutions demanding Armenia’s withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories, which Armenia did not comply with.
- Azerbaijan attempted peaceful negotiations to resolve the Karabakh conflict, but Armenia consistently ignored these efforts and resorted to military provocations.
- In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive in response to Armenia’s large-scale military attack on Azerbaijani Army positions and civilian settlements, ultimately liberating its territories under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership.
- Azerbaijan’s cities and villages suffered extensive destruction and cultural/religious monuments were desecrated during the Armenian occupation. Whereas, Azerbaijan did not target civilians or civilian infrastructure during the Patriotic War and local anti-terrorism measures.
- Armenia continued military provocations even after the war, leading to the launch of local anti-terrorist measures to ensure safety, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces.
- Azerbaijan proposed a peace agreement to Armenia, allowing for the return of Azerbaijanis to their historical homeland and establishing a reintegration portal for Armenian residents in Azerbaijani territories.
- Azerbaijan has prioritized reconstruction and restoration efforts in the newly liberated areas, facilitating the return of displaced people, by allocating US$7 billion.
Azerbaijan celebrates 3rd anniversary of Victory Day
On November 8, 2023, Azerbaijan marked Victory Day, commemorating the third anniversary of its successful campaign to reclaim the Karabakh region from Armenian occupation in 2020.6
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev oversaw a military parade in the main city of Nagorno-Karabakh, weeks after his army recaptured the long-disputed region from Armenian separatists in a lightning offensive.
A grand military parade was held in Khankendi, known as Stepanakert by Armenians, the capital of Karabakh – the city was freed from Armenian separatist control in September 2023 in the final phase of the liberation efforts. The city had been under Armenian control since the Soviet Union’s collapse.
Azerbaijani troops, accompanied by a military band, marched through the central square of Khankendi to honor the day.
The event was commemorated with marches across Azerbaijan, honoring those who served and paid tribute to the fallen. Marches were also held in the cities of Ganja, Barda, Fuzuli, Lachin, and Zangilan.
44-Day Patriotic War
Following the Soviet dissolution in 1991, Armenia had gained control of Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s geographic area.
After years of failed negotiations and continued provocations, Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive operation which led to the 44-day conflict ending with the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation of the Armenian forces for 30 years. The 44-day war in 2020 led to the liberation of most of Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts.
The Second Karabakh War ended on November 10, when Armenia signed the declaration accepting its defeat. The Azerbaijani army liberated five cities, four towns, and 286 villages from occupation and Armenia agreed to withdraw its forces from Agdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts. This opened the door to normalization with Armenia. Shusha’s liberation on November 8 was later declared as Victory Day by presidential decree.
Over 2,900 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in the war, with the country declaring September 27, the beginning day of the operation, Martyrs’ Memorial Day
