Azerbaijan marks third anniversary of liberation of Kalbajar

Today marks three years since the liberation of the district of Kalbajar from Armenian occupation.

Kalbajar was to be returned to Azerbaijan as early as November 15, 2020, in accordance with a statement signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. However, the Armenian side requested an additional 10 days for the withdrawal of its units from the area and the departure of the displaced people. Showing humanity and taking into account the Russian President's request, Azerbaijan agreed to postpone the return of Kalbajar until November 25.

The district of Kalbajar was occupied by Armenian armed formations on April 2, 1993. As a result of the occupation, 53,340 Azerbaijanis were displaced, 55 servicemen, 511 civilians were killed, 321 people were taken prisoner or missing, and thousands of residents were wounded.

After the occupation of Kalbajar, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution No. 822 demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all occupation forces from Kalbajar and other occupied districts of Azerbaijan. But like other resolutions, this document remained on paper.

In just 44 days, the Azerbaijani Army implemented the UN Security Council resolutions that had remained unimplemented for almost 30 years. The withdrawal of the Armenian occupation troops from Kalbajar became possible thanks to the political will of the President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, who successfully led the army's actions in the Patriotic War.

On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani Army, having prevented the provocation of the Armenian armed forces, launched a counter-offensive and liberated several districts, hundreds of villages and settlements, and strategic heights from the enemy. The 44-day Patriotic War was crowned with the victory of the valiant Azerbaijani Army.

The military-political leadership of Armenia, realising its defeat on the battlefield, was forced to sign the surrender act. Thus, the district of Kalbajar, which had been under occupation for 27 years, was liberated from the invaders.

Nowadays, the tricolour flag of Azerbaijan proudly flies over the district, as well as over other liberated lands. The servicemen who participated in the battles for the liberation of Kalbajar were honoured with awards by order of President Ilham Aliyev for their bravery and valour shown in the battles.

At present, reconstruction works are being carried out in Kalbajar, new infrastructure is being built. More than 71,000 natives of Kalbajar district are looking forward to returning to their native places.

According to the order signed on July 31, 2023, to establish a "City Day" for cities liberated from occupation, the date of November 25 announced Kalbajar City Day.