Azerbaijan's path to Great Victory Analyzing Four Years of Triumph

Any war is won not only on the battlefield but also through a well-developed and implemented strategy that includes strengthening the positions of the warring state on the world political stage, as well as enhancing its economic power. Today, on the anniversary of the beginning of the 44-day war, which became a Patriotic War for our people, it makes sense to assess Azerbaijan's historical success from this perspective.

On September 27, 2020, the armed forces of Armenia once again grossly violated international law by using various types of weaponry, including heavy artillery, to shell Azerbaijani settlements and military positions from multiple directions. As a result of this provocation, both Azerbaijani civilians and servicemen were killed and injured. This incident became the last straw for official Baku.

On the same day, the President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation, describing the hostile provocation as "yet another manifestation of Armenian fascism." The response was firm and decisive. By the afternoon, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced that the army had liberated seven villages: Ashagi Abdurrahmanli, Garakhanbeyli, Garvand, Horadiz, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli (Fuzuli District), Boyuk Marjanli, and Nuzgar (Jabrayil District). Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense reported the destruction of Armenian posts in the Agdara region and on the heights of the Murovdag mountain range, as well as the capture of several commanding heights.

Thus, the defeat of the Armenian occupying forces began on the very first day of the war. What was most striking was that the leaders of major world countries, as well as the OSCE, NATO, and other international organizations, called on both sides to "de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible." Essentially, this was a call for Azerbaijan to halt the liberation of its territories. It was also a demand to "forget" the four UN Security Council resolutions that clearly outlined the requirement for the withdrawal of all illegal Armenian armed formations from the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia. However, Azerbaijan, acting strictly in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which stipulates the right to self-defence, continued the liberation of its lands.

The actual conclusion of the 44-day war occurred on November 8, 2020. On that day, delivering joyful news to the Azerbaijani people, President Aliyev declared, "Shusha, you are free!"

All that remained was to officially formalize Armenia's surrender. This occurred on November 10, 2020, when a trilateral statement was signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, announcing a complete ceasefire and the end of all military operations. Notably, Pashinyan did not even dare to appear on television at that time.

He was focused on other matters. To put it bluntly, he was trying to save his own skin. The announcement of the trilateral statement sparked unrest in Yerevan. As a result, around 2:30 AM local time, protesters stormed the Armenian government building in search of Nikol Pashinyan. It was clear that he had hidden himself very well. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ararat Mirzoyan, received a beating, becoming a classic "scapegoat" for the failed and provocative strategy of Pashinyan.

President Ilham Aliyev's strategy led to the return of the Kalbajar, Aghdam, and Lachin districts without lengthy and bloody battles. Yes, this Great Victory came at the cost of the lives of our servicemen, our martyrs. According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, the number of military personnel killed during the 44-day war was 2,823. We all owe them an unpayable debt.

However, it should be noted that, according to Armenian diplomat Mikayel Minasyan, the authorities in Armenia are deliberately concealing the actual number of military casualties, which he claims amounts to around 4,700 soldiers. Additionally, on March 26, 2021, former Armenian Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Vazgen Manukyan stated that the Armenian side lost more than 5,000 soldiers in this war. Indeed, the enemy suffered much greater losses. This is also a reflection of the effective strategy employed by President Aliyev, aimed at minimizing casualties within the Azerbaijani army.

The uniqueness of this strategy lay in its ability to counter attempts by Armenia's backers to prevent the liberation of Azerbaijan's temporarily occupied territories. This achievement is the result of years of astute diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, Azerbaijan was economically prepared for warfare. The acquisition of the most modern weaponry, the establishment of a powerful defense industry, and the training of future commanders in the world's top military academies all required substantial financial resources. Azerbaijan successfully managed all of this. It achieved a historic victory in the 44-day war, laying the groundwork for the full restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity last autumn.

Now, Azerbaijan is rapidly and independently rebuilding the liberated Karabakh, strengthening its position on the global political stage, and enhancing its economic power, all while effectively countering attempts by Armenia and its sponsors to tarnish its great victory.