September 20: Azerbaijan celebrates day of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Aghdara cities

Today, September 20, is the day of the cities of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, and Aghdara. 

Caliber.Az reminds its readers that this meaningful date is observed in Azerbaijan following a decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev on September 18, 2024.

The date marks the disarmament and withdrawal of the remaining Armenian armed forces and illegal armed groups from Azerbaijani territory, following a localised anti-terror operation conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on September 19–20, 2023.

The anti-terror measures aimed to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the trilateral statement; prevent large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region; disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territory; neutralise their military infrastructure; ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, as well as civilian personnel involved in reconstruction efforts, Azerbaijani servicemen; and to restore Azerbaijan’s constitutional order.

As part of the anti-terror measures, which lasted just 23 hours and 43 minutes, high-precision weapons were used to disable both frontline and deep positions of Armenian armed forces units, long-term firing points, as well as military equipment and strategic targets. As a result, the Armenian separatists were forced to "raise the white flag."

In response to an appeal from representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, conveyed through the Russian peacekeeping contingent temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan, an agreement was reached to halt the local anti-terror operation on September 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM, under the following conditions:

1. The Armenian armed forces units and illegal Armenian armed groups located in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan are to lay down their arms, abandon their combat positions and posts, and fully disarm. The units of the Armenian armed forces will withdraw from Azerbaijani territory, and the illegal Armenian armed groups will be disbanded.

2. At the same time, all weapons and heavy equipment are to be handed over.

3. The implementation of these measures is carried out in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

On September 20, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan addressed the nation and announced the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty following the successful completion of localised anti-terror operations. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev, praised the Azerbaijani soldiers and officers for their high level of professionalism and strong moral character.

In his address to the nation, the president expressed his sorrow over the martyrs lost during the anti-terror operations: 

“May Allah rest the souls of our martyrs in peace! We have wounded soldiers and officers. May Allah grant recovery to them. They sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, justice, and Azerbaijan's sovereignty. Their blessed memory will live forever in our hearts.”

In his speech, the head of state once again warned those who look down on Azerbaijan and covet its lands.

“I must also say that those who despise us, those who despise our land, and those who set their sights on our lands should never forget that the Iron Fist is in place and will always be! No one can speak to us in the language of dictate and ultimatums! Let no one forget this! Don't forget that Karabakh is Azerbaijan!”

Immediately following the anti-terror operations, representatives of the Armenian community living in Karabakh—who had repeatedly refused to negotiate with Azerbaijani representatives—were compelled to agree to a meeting held in the city of Yevlakh. 

During these meetings, issues such as the dismantling of the separatist regime and the reintegration of the Armenians living in Karabakh were discussed. At the same time, the Armenian population of Karabakh was given the opportunity to review the reintegration terms proposed by Azerbaijan and to make their own decision about whether to remain in the region. On September 28, 2023, the separatist leader Samvel Shahramanyan signed a document formally dissolving the so-called regime in Karabakh.

As a result, following anti-terror operations that lasted less than 24 hours, the Armenian army, which had been illegally present on Azerbaijani territory, was completely disarmed and left the country. The illegal junta regime in Karabakh was dismantled. Additionally, through the efforts of Azerbaijan’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the main leaders of the separatist regime were arrested.

After the anti-terror operations, state sovereignty and the constitutional order were fully restored throughout Azerbaijan.

On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev visited the city of Khankendi, the Khojavand, Shusha, Khojaly, and Aghdara districts, stopped by the Asgaran fortress, and raised the Azerbaijani flag there. On November 8 of the same year, a military parade was held in Khankendi to mark the third anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War.

Currently, restoration and construction work is underway on the lands liberated from occupation, following the strategic roadmap approved by President Ilham Aliyev. Displaced persons are gradually returning to their homeland. It is safe to say that all projects related to the revival of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur will be successfully completed, transforming these regions into beautiful parts of Azerbaijan.