Minjivan freed: Azerbaijan marks 5-year anniversary

Today, October 21, marks the anniversary of the liberation of the village of Minjivan in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan District from Armenian occupation.

As Caliber.Az recalls, five years have passed since one of Azerbaijan’s historic settlements was freed from Armenian forces.

On October 21, 2020, alongside Minjivan, the villages of Babayli, Uchunju Aghali, Saril, Khumarli, Hajalli, Khurama, Jahangirbayli, Turabad, Ichari Mushlan, Girag Mushlan, Malikli, Udgun, Baharli in Zangilan District, the villages of Balyand, Papi, Tulus, Tinli in Jabrayil District, and the villages of Gejagozlu, Ashagi Seyidahmadli, and Zargar in Fuzuli District were also liberated.

On November 8, 2020, a border post of the State Border Service was established in Minjivan. The Azerbaijani national flag was raised, and border guards began their operational duties.

On April 26, 2021, President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited Minjivan.

Minjivan is located on the banks of the Araz River. It was founded between 1795 and 1798 following the resettlement of families from the village of Minjivan in Southern Azerbaijan. In the 19th century, two villages with this name were registered in the Zangezur district.

The village was occupied by Armenian forces in 1993. Prior to the occupation, Minjivan had residential houses, schools, libraries, kindergartens, and a railway station. After the First Karabakh War, Armenian forces destroyed the village and dismantled the railway. Part of the rails was sold, while the rest was used to construct anti-tank fortifications.