Azerbaijani president condemns Western forces for inciting Armenia to wage new war

On November 8, President Ilham Aliyev delivered a forceful address on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Victory Day, where he not only celebrated the country’s triumph in the Second Karabakh War but also addressed the ongoing provocations from certain Western forces. 

Aliyev condemned the actions of Islamophobes and Azerbaijanophobes in Western capitals who were actively inciting Armenia to pursue further hostilities, warning that these external pressures threaten regional stability and Azerbaijan's hard-won peace, Caliber.Az reports via Azertag.

“Today, anti-Azerbaijan forces, including some Islamophobes and Azerbaijanophobes in Western capitals, are inciting Armenia to a new war,” President Aliyev stated. “Some Western supporters now want to portray Armenia as a 'peace dove,' as if the 30-year occupation, the destruction, atrocities, and the Khojaly genocide never happened.”

He underscored that the international community was overlooking Armenia's past actions, including the destruction of Azerbaijani mosques and the desecration of graves in the occupied territories. “The destruction of our mosques, the desecration of our graves, and the devastation throughout Karabakh and East Zangezur are being overlooked. They want to make the world community forget, but we will never forget, and the Azerbaijani people must never forget. Future generations must know this history and never forget it,” he emphasized.

The President made it clear that Armenia must abandon its arms buildup, warning that Azerbaijan's military capabilities far exceeded those of its neighbour. “Armenia must abandon its policy of armament; it must come to an end. I have said this repeatedly, and they know that they must pay attention to my words. It is not too late; they should abandon it. They will never have the power to compete with us,” President Aliyev said.

Despite the challenges, the President reiterated that Azerbaijan's primary focus was peace and rebuilding the country. “We do not want war. We have achieved our goals: we ensured our territorial integrity and state sovereignty. Our territorial integrity is upheld along all borders, and former displaced persons and refugees are returning to their ancestral lands. Now, we are focused on rebuilding. This is our main priority,” he added.

President Aliyev also reaffirmed that Azerbaijan would never forget the 30-year history of occupation. “The thirty-year history of occupation will never be erased from our memory, and as I said earlier, it should never be erased. We must always be prepared for new provocations, and we are ready,” he stated.

He underscored the readiness of Azerbaijan's Armed Forces to confront any provocations, emphasizing the military's preparedness to defend the nation’s sovereignty. “If anyone wants to test our strength again, they will be defeated once more, and once again they will be humiliated. Because the 44-day Patriotic War and the anti-terror operation, our victory, is not only Armenia’s defeat but a bitter and humiliating defeat for those behind them.”

The President recalled Azerbaijan's strategic victories, including the peaceful liberation of the districts of Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin, and the decisive military actions that followed. “We liberated the districts of Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin without a single shot being fired. Following that, through purposeful and well-thought-out policies and decisive actions, we significantly strengthened both our political, strategic, and military strategic positions,” President Aliyev said.

He also noted that the fate of the separatist group in Karabakh had been sealed following the successful anti-terror operation of September 2023. “The anti-terror operation carried out in September 2023, which lasted only a few hours, was yet another lesson for them. With this, the root of separatism was eradicated, and the book was closed. Now, there is no trace or sign of the separatists in the lands of Karabakh,” the President emphasized.

Reflecting on his tenure, President Aliyev recalled his pledge in 2003 to restore Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. “In 2003, when I was first elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I declared that, no matter the cost, we would restore our territorial integrity, and that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan would never be up for negotiation. Life has proven this,” he said.

He highlighted the key factors that contributed to Azerbaijan's success, including economic growth, military preparedness, and unity among the people. “Economic growth, our significant political influence, our firm stance on international platforms, the unity of the people and government, the nurturing of the younger generation, and the establishment of a patriotic spirit in society—these factors all contributed to our victory,” President Aliyev added.

The President closed his address by reaffirming the patriotic war as a defining moment in Azerbaijan's history. “The Patriotic War is our glorious history, our brilliant victory,” he stated. “We avenged the blood of the martyrs of both the First and Second Karabakh Wars, as well as the anti-terror operation, on the battlefield. We restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Earlier in the day, President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the Victory Park in Baku, where President Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani flag. The family also laid a wreath and flowers at the Victory Monument.

Later, the President and his family visited the National Flag Square, where he again raised Azerbaijan’s tricolour flag.