Azerbaijan marks Aghdam’s fourth year of freedom from occupation No shots fired, no spirit broken

Today, November 20, is Aghdam City Day — a celebration of resilience, liberation, and hope.

Four years ago, a new chapter began for the city of Aghdam as it emerged from nearly three decades of occupation, Caliber.Az reports.

This day marks the anniversary of Aghdam's peaceful return to Azerbaijani control, an outcome of Azerbaijan's resounding victory in the Patriotic War. The triumph was sealed without a single shot fired in the city, a testament to the strategic brilliance of Azerbaijan’s military campaign.

On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani army launched a decisive counteroffensive in response to Armenian provocations. This campaign liberated multiple districts, hundreds of villages and settlements, and strategic high points, rapidly turning the tide of the conflict. The continuous success of the Azerbaijani forces sowed panic among Armenian troops, who struggled to maintain morale and fled the battlefield. The 44-day Patriotic War ultimately concluded with Azerbaijan’s historic victory.

Aghdam presented unique challenges: the city was heavily mined, and Armenian forces had erected formidable defences. Conducting large-scale military operations there would have risked significant casualties and extended the conflict. Instead, Azerbaijani forces encircled enemy troops in Aghdam through a carefully calculated advance, avoiding direct confrontation in that sector. The encirclement created widespread panic among Armenia’s military and political leadership, forcing them to sign an act of surrender.

With the tripartite statement signed on November 10, 2020, hostilities ended. According to the agreement, Aghdam was officially returned to Azerbaijan on November 20, 2020. After 27 long years of occupation, the Azerbaijani tricolour once again waved over Aghdam, a city liberated without bloodshed.

President Ilham Aliyev later decreed that November 20 be celebrated annually as Aghdam City Day, establishing this date as a symbol of national pride and perseverance.

The history of Aghdam’s suffering is profound. Armenian forces seized the city on July 23, 1993, occupying 846.8 square kilometres or 77.4% of its territory. This included 1 town and 80 villages in the heart of Karabakh. The occupation destroyed 26 of 38 collective and state farms, 105 of 129 healthcare facilities, 74 of 108 schools, 199 of 271 cultural centres, 14 of 17 mosques, 24 construction organizations, and 67 enterprises. Damage estimates reached $13.135 billion. Among the countless losses were Aghdam’s historical and cultural treasures, including the renowned Bread Museum, barbarically erased during the occupation.

By Tamilla Hasanova