Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day, honouring fallen heroes

Today, Azerbaijan observes Martyrs’ Remembrance Day, honouring those who fell in the Patriotic War, which began to prevent military provocations and actions by Armenia against Azerbaijan and to ensure the safety of the civilian population.

According to Caliber.Az, this year marks the fifth annual observance of the day.

On this day, central and local authorities have planned a series of events across the country, and the memory of the martyrs will also be honoured abroad.

As in previous years, the martyrs will be respectfully commemorated in Azerbaijan’s active places of worship—including mosques, churches, and synagogues—with prayers offered for the repose of their souls.

At 12:00 noon, a minute of silence will be held to pay tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Martyrs’ Remembrance Day is observed annually in Azerbaijan following a decree by President Ilham Aliyev on December 2, 2020, as a mark of deep respect for the servicemen who heroically fought in the Patriotic War and gave their lives to defend the country’s territorial integrity.

On September 27, 2020, under the leadership of Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army launched counter-offensive operations along the entire frontline to prevent military provocations and combat activities by the Armenian armed forces, as well as to ensure the safety of civilians. The 44-day Patriotic War concluded with a decisive victory for Azerbaijan.

A total of 2,908 servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan became martyrs during the Patriotic War.

On September 19, 2023, an anti-terrorist operation was launched to halt large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan, to disarm and remove the remaining Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territory, and to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan in these areas. The operation, which lasted just 23 hours and 43 minutes, was carried out with exceptional professionalism by the Azerbaijani army, achieving all assigned objectives. The illegal Karabakh junta regime was dismantled. Additionally, key leaders of the separatist regime were arrested through the efforts of Azerbaijan’s security and law enforcement agencies.

During the anti-terrorist operation, 192 servicemen of the Azerbaijani army became martyrs.

As a result of the Patriotic War and the anti-terrorist operation, Azerbaijan’s ancestral lands, which had long been under Armenian occupation, were liberated. This restored the country’s state sovereignty and constitutional order across its entire territory. Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts are now underway in the liberated areas, and the safe return of residents to their native lands is being facilitated.