Azerbaijani defence minister sends heartfelt wishes to families of martyrs on Solidarity Day

Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has congratulated the Azerbaijani Army personnel on the occasion of December 31 – the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

"I congratulate you on the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year! I wish each of you good health and success in your honorable service," Caliber.Az reports, citing a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

"This significant day, established on the initiative of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, symbolizes the unity of our people and reminds us of the importance of solidarity for our independence and bright future.

I congratulate the families of the Martyrs and military personnel who lost their health in the course of combat operations, who are steadfastly standing in defence of our lands, and send them my best wishes.

Good luck and prosperity in 2025!" the statement reads.

Notably, World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day, observed annually on December 31, celebrates the unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis worldwide. The holiday's origins trace back to late December 1989, when residents in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic dismantled border fences between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran, symbolically reuniting Azerbaijanis separated for decades.

Recognizing the significance of this event, on December 16, 1991, Heydar Aliyev, then Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan, declared December 31 as the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. This initiative was later adopted nationwide, and since 1992, the day has been celebrated as a public holiday in Azerbaijan.

The main idea of this holiday is the unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis worldwide, respect for national and spiritual values, and a sense of belonging to the historical Motherland. Today, over 30 million Azerbaijanis reside in Iran, with significant communities in Türkiye, Russia, the United States, and various European countries.

By Khagan Isayev