Azerbaijani Armed Forces mark 105th anniversary

Azerbaijan celebrates the 105th anniversary of the establishment of its Armed Forces on June 26.

On June 26, 1918, the first regular military unit - separate Azerbaijani corps - was created under the decision of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic’s Council of Ministers. The government set the task to create a 25,000-strong army.

On August 1 of the same year, Azerbaijan’s Military Ministry was founded, with Khosrov bey Sultanov appointed as the first minister.

Then, on December 25, Gen Samad bey Mahmandarov was appointed as the Minister of War and Lt Gen Aliaga Shikhlinsky as the Deputy Minister.

The first success in the military sphere was achieved on September 15. The National Army, together with the Caucasian Islamic Army under the command of Nuru Pasha, liberated Baku and the surrounding counties from the Armenian-Bolshevik occupation. The first military parade in Azerbaijan was held in Baku in 1919.

June 26 was declared the Armed Forces Day by the decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev on May 22, 1998.

Caliber.Az editorial office congratulates the personnel of the Azerbaijani Army and wishes our soldiers success in their sacred service in the name of protecting Azerbaijan’s independence and ensuring the territorial integrity of the country.