Azerbaijan marks five years since the liberation of Zangilan

Today, October 20, marks five years since the liberation of Zangilan.

On October 20, 2020, President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, in an address to the nation, announced the liberation of the city of Zangilan and six other villages in the district — Havali, Zarnali, Mammadbayli, Hakari, Sharifan, and Mughanli.

The battles for Zangilan, culminating in victory for the Azerbaijani army, represent another glorious chapter in the country’s history and in military operations on the southern front along the Araz River.

Following the orders of the head of state on December 25, 2020, and June 24, 2021, a group of servicemen distinguished in the battles was awarded the “For the Liberation of Zangilan” medal for their personal courage and bravery demonstrated during the liberation of the district from occupation.

After Zangilan’s liberation, alongside demining efforts, reconstruction and infrastructure development have been actively carried out, and life has returned to the district. Zangilan was the starting point for the return of internally displaced persons to territories liberated from occupation.

Since 2022, former displaced residents have begun returning to Aghali, which was restored based on the “smart village” concept. The resettlement of people to their native land began in July 2022 and continues to this day.

In addition, an international airport has been opened in the district. The inauguration ceremony on October 20, 2022, was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This is the first airport built in Azerbaijan’s East Zangezur Economic Region and the second on territories liberated from occupation.

By decree of President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, October 20 is officially celebrated as Zangilan Day.

Zangilan District is located in the southern part of Karabakh, bordering Iran. Before the occupation in 1993, the district, covering 707 square kilometres, had a population of 39,000. The territory lies in the interior of the southern side of the Lesser Caucasus. The climate is mostly temperate and warm. Rivers, including the Araz, Okhchuchay, Hakari, and Basitcha,y flow through the district, providing resources for domestic and agricultural use as well as other sectors. The area also has deposits of building stone, raw limestone, gold, black marble, and other minerals.

Armenian armed forces occupied Zangilan on October 30, 1993. At the time of occupation, the district comprised the central town of Zangilan, five settlements, and 79 villages. During the 27-year occupation, Zangilan’s resources were plundered, infrastructure completely destroyed, settlements vandalised, homes and historical monuments demolished, and orchards and forests cut down.