Azerbaijan's triumph: Four years of victory and sovereignty Restoring national pride

Today, Azerbaijan marks the fourth anniversary of its victory in the 44-day war. On November 8, 2020, after reclaiming much of the territory occupied by Armenia, the Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha, the crown jewel of Karabakh.

As the years pass, this milestone has become part of the national consciousness, yet its importance grows clearer with time. Looking back, the events that followed reveal the immense weight that was lifted from Azerbaijan’s path.

In June 2021, a historic milestone was achieved with the signing of the Shusha Declaration, forging an unprecedented bond between Azerbaijan and Türkiye that extends beyond cultural and economic ties to encompass a military-political alliance. This partnership now ensures that the armed forces of both nations stand united in defence of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity—a vision long cherished by many.

Several summits of the Organization of Turkic States have been held, and numerous bilateral agreements signed, underscoring the growing momentum of the Turkic world. Increasingly, the concept of a unified Turkic space, or Turan, is being discussed as a re-emerging centre of global influence. Azerbaijan’s resolution of the Karabakh conflict served as a critical test of resilience—one that, once passed, paved the way for broader integration processes across the entire Turkic sphere.

Azerbaijan's global standing and international influence have surged, with its selection as the host for the world’s foremost climate summit, COP29, standing as a clear indicator of this elevated status.

The outcome of the Patriotic War was the restoration of control over a significant portion of previously occupied territories, including Shusha, as well as parts of the Khojavand and Aghdara regions—areas once part of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. As President Ilham Aliyev has often emphasized, this victory broke the long-standing status quo. Azerbaijan demonstrated, decisively and on the ground, that any notion of borders once envisioned by Armenian irredentists, even in the form of autonomy, is no longer a viable topic of discussion.

In November 2020, Azerbaijan laid the groundwork for the full restoration of its sovereignty. Though most of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was under the presence of Russian peacekeepers, Armenian military units and separatist factions still lingered there in defiance of the Trilateral Statement. To complete what had been started, it was essential to re-establish full sovereignty over this “grey zone” within Karabakh.

Azerbaijan rose to this challenge with remarkable success—through deft diplomacy, all external risks were neutralized, and with valour on the battlefield, Azerbaijani forces completed the mission. On September 20, 2023, during a swift counter-terrorist operation, Baku restored control over the entire Karabakh region, raising the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi. To visualize these events from 2020 to 2023, the victory on November 8, 2020, symbolized Azerbaijan’s test of statehood, while September 20, 2023, affirmed it.

These dates—November 8, 2020, and September 20, 2023—stand as twin pillars of Azerbaijan’s larger triumph. It is fitting that the first is commemorated as Victory Day, while the second marks the Day of State Sovereignty.

There is another important nuance worth highlighting. November 8 washed away the sorrow of May 8—the date marking the occupation of Shusha by Armenian forces in 1992—enabling Azerbaijan to once again celebrate May 9—Victory Day over fascism—with full pride. This link is not merely symbolic; it reflects a direct ideological continuity. In both instances, Azerbaijan defeated fascism: in 1945, it was German fascism, and in 2020, Armenian. Unlike Germany, which became a model state after facing its past, Armenia has yet to confront its history and continues to hold onto hopes of revenge. These ambitions are encouraged by certain external forces, wary of Azerbaijan’s rising strength, its alliance with Türkiye, and the growing unity within the Turkic world.

Our responsibility to future generations calls for safeguarding our statehood with all resources. The 2020 victory instilled in us not only pride but also confidence that we can meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Happy Victory Day, dear compatriots!