From tragedy to triumph: the path of Khojaly Review by Teymur Atayev

How the souls of the Khojaly victims must have rejoiced yesterday, those who did not live to see this day. Yet in truth, their spirits had rejoiced much earlier — when the valiant Azerbaijani Army achieved its brilliant Victory in the Patriotic War. When the Khojaly district was liberated from the occupiers’ heel. When the Azerbaijani flag was raised over Khojaly. When the foundation stone was laid for the Memorial Complex dedicated to the victims of the genocide. When the first former internally displaced persons returned to Khojaly. And then came yesterday — the Memorial became a reality.

Let certain political forces, including those in supposedly neutral Switzerland, be blinded by their resentment of Azerbaijan’s present-day successes. Let BBC correspondents bite their elbows in frustration, and Amnesty International staff exhaust their nerves in helplessness. Against this backdrop, Khojaly — like all our lands liberated from occupation — is flourishing.

All of Karabakh and East Zangezur have taken on new life, adorned with modern infrastructure, international airports, mosques, restored churches, universities, schools, hospitals, cable cars, hotels, and, finally, the keys to new apartments for those returning to their native lands under the large-scale “Great Return” programme.

Let our adversaries continue tormenting themselves. Meanwhile, the embassies of Croatia, France and Slovakia in Baku shared publications marking the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. The French Embassy, on its official page on the social network X — in French and Azerbaijani — expressed solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan, who honour the memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy with deep respect.

And this is the Embassy of France — which once received the separatists entrenched on sovereign Azerbaijani lands as “honoured guests.” Such a geopolitical volte-face, the result of systematic and consistent work, was highlighted the day before by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev — including the efforts of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which, immediately after its establishment, launched the international campaign “Justice for Khojaly!”.

Nearly twenty countries have already officially recognised the Khojaly Genocide, and this process continues.

Historical justice… How difficult it is to achieve, even when all the evidence — documents, testimonies, traces — lies on the surface. Yet Azerbaijan, in what is a brief span by historical standards, has managed to bring its triumph closer. The head of state outlined a step-by-step path towards this: the international recognition of the Khojaly genocide, Victory in the Patriotic War, the liberation of Khojaly, and the Baku trial of war criminals. President Ilham Aliyev described this trajectory as the “complete triumph of justice.”

There is nothing to add here. The words of the country’s leader are a historical truth — a truth that is becoming a lesson for many. A lesson, and a source of hope, for those who struggle for their rights and the restoration of their dignity.

At the same time, the puzzle of this unique victory has not been forged through slogans or shouting. It has been built through measured, finely calibrated steps — both in domestic and foreign policy. At its core lies the unity of the Azerbaijani people, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation or place of residence. Our greatest wealth is solidarity, transforming into a single fist capable of acquiring any degree of strength — even reinforced-concrete resilience. It was this unity that made it possible to crush the enemy on the battlefield.

It was there, on the battlefield, that the brave soldiers and officers of the Azerbaijani Army repelled individuals driven by a fascist worldview, who opened fire on peaceful cities and condemned children, women and the elderly to death.

No pasarán — “the enemy shall not pass.” And he did not pass. He fled the battlefield in disgrace, taking nothing with him but looted toilets. What else was left for him but to shame himself before the world?

As the head of state emphasised yesterday, it was the unbending will of our people that ensured this triumph of justice — when everyone, in their own place, brought Victory closer, believed in it, and safeguarded it.

“There are not too many countries in the world that would win a complete and absolute victory in a just war and ensure their territorial integrity and sovereignty by liberating every inch of land, and then bring war criminals to justice,” President Ilham Aliyev declared at the opening of the Memorial. The Azerbaijani people proved capable of doing precisely that. Because no one can break the fist of our unity, and there was “no force that could influence our determination.” In strict accordance with the norms and principles of international law, the enemy’s capitulation was secured.

The war began in 2020 and ended with our unequivocal victory. Three years later, the historic towns of Khojaly and Khankendi, along with other settlements, were liberated and breathed the air of freedom. Azerbaijani heroes put an end to the illegal junta regime, driving what became the final nail into the coffin of Armenian separatism — so persistently encouraged by biased anti-Azerbaijani forces.

On February 26, 2026, the people of Khojaly took part in the opening of the Memorial Complex with pride, reverence and tears of joy. In this, as the head of state emphasised, the unbending spirit of the Azerbaijani people was revealed — a people who preserved their dignity, self-respect and faith. Today, Azerbaijan’s policy serves as a guarantor of the peace achieved in the region — a peace that became reality through the consistent implementation of all the principles that Baku defined as the foundation of the settlement.

Having prevailed in war, the Azerbaijani people are asserting themselves on the global stage as well — despite obstacles and artificially created barriers imposed by well-known forces. The agreements reached in August 2025 in the “Office No. 1” of the world vividly demonstrated Azerbaijan’s political weight and strength. Throughout the years of occupation and external pressure, the country did not once retreat from its principle of defending national interests.

Moreover, Azerbaijan actively promoted the ideas of justice and solidarity, including by initiating at the platform of the United Nations General Assembly a call for the elimination of “vaccine nationalism.”

Azerbaijan was also among the states that openly opposed manifestations of neocolonialism. Official Baku has reinforced its support for small island developing states and today stands ready to share its experience of peaceful development with all interested partners.

In his inaugural speech in 2003, President Ilham Aliyev declared that Azerbaijan would never accept the occupation of its lands and would liberate them at all costs. Ten years later, after being re-elected for a new term, the head of state emphasised: “We must restore justice [...] This issue must be resolved in full,” expressing confidence in the full settlement of the conflict and the withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces. He stated that Azerbaijanis must return to Karabakh, and that the Azerbaijani flag must be raised in Shusha and Khankendi. The strategic goal was defined as the return of Azerbaijanis to all their historic lands. “I am sure that we will achieve that,” President Aliyev concluded on October 19, 2013.

What was said — was done. On February 26, 2026, the head of state once again stressed that “there was no force that could influence our determination.” Indeed, there was none — and there will be none. Azerbaijan continues confidently and consistently along the path it once chose — the path of defending the national interests of the state.