Azerbaijan marks second anniversary of Zangilan's liberation

October 20 marks the second anniversary of the liberation of Zangilan from Armenia's decades-long occupation.

Two years have passed since the city was cleared of Armenian invaders, Caliber.Az reports.

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

On October 20, Dardchinar, Kurdlar, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Gargabazar, Ashaghi Veysalli, Yukhari Aybasanli villages of Fuzuli, Safarsha, Hasangaydi, Fughanli, Imambaghi, Dash Veysalli, Aghtapa, Yarahmadli villages of Jabrayil and Aghjakand, Mulkudara, Dashbashi, Gunashli and Chinarli villages of Khojavand districts were also liberated. Azerbaijan's tricolour flag was hoisted in all the liberated territories.

The battles for Zangilan, crowned with the Azerbaijani army's victory, are another glorious page in the history of our country and combat operations on the southern front, along the Araz River.

On December 23, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Zangilan district liberated from occupation. Supreme Commander-in-Chief Aliyev raised Azerbaijan's national flag in Zangilan.

After the liberation of Zangilan, construction and restoration work continues in parallel with mine clearance, and infrastructure is being successfully restored in the district. It is no coincidence that life has already returned to Zangilan. It was from this area that the return of internally displaced persons to the territories liberated from occupation began. This year, the return of former internally displaced persons to Aghali began, restored on the basis of the "smart village" concept. The resettlement of residents to their native land began in July 2022.

On April 26, 2021, President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation of the first "smart village" project, covering Aghali 1, 2 and 3 of the Zangilan district. On May 27 of this year, the "smart village" of Aghali-1 was already opened. President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

In addition, the first airport is being built on the district's territory. Zangilan airport has already been granted the status of an international one. This is the first airport built in Azerbaijan's East Zangazur Economic Region and the second on the territories liberated from occupation. Prior to that, the Fuzuli International Airport was put into operation. Another airport in the liberated territories is being built in the Lachin district.

Under the presidential order dated December 25, 2020, and June 24, 2021, a group of servicemen who distinguished themselves in battles was awarded the medal "For the Liberation of Zangilan". They were awarded for their personal courage and bravery shown during the fight to liberate the area from occupation.

The Zangilan district is located in the southern part of Karabakh, on the border with Iran. The population of the district with an area of 707 square kilometres before the occupation was 45,000 people (in 1993 - 39,000). The district's territory is located in the inner part of the southern side of the Lesser Caucasus.

The district has a mostly moderately warm climate. The Araz, Okhchuchay, Hakari and Basitchay rivers flow here, the resources of which were used for household and agriculture and in other areas. Building stone, raw limestone, gold, black marble and other minerals were also mined here.

The Zangilan district was occupied by the Armenian Armed Forces on October 30, 1993. At the time of the occupation, in addition to the district centre with the same name, there were five settlements and 79 villages located here. As a result of the 27-year occupation, Zangilan's wealth was looted, infrastructure was utterly destroyed, settlements were vandalised, houses and historical monuments were destroyed entirely, and gardens and forests were cut down.