Türkiye’s majestic towers display Azerbaijani pride on Victory Day PHOTO

Istanbul's iconic Galata Tower was illuminated in the vibrant colours of the Azerbaijani flag on November 8, celebrating Azerbaijan’s Victory Day.

The lighting display was accompanied by an animated depiction of the Khari Bulbul flower, a symbol of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

In a similar gesture of solidarity, the Estergon Tower in Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, was also lit up with the Azerbaijani flag’s colours to commemorate the occasion.

This initiative was organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Türkiye with the support of the local municipality, marking a moment of shared celebration between the two nations.

Victory Day, observed annually on November 8, was officially established by President Ilham Aliyev through a decree on December 3, 2020. The day honours the historic end of the 44-day Second Karabakh War, which began on September 27, 2020, when Azerbaijan launched the "Iron Fist" counter-offensive in response to Armenian provocations. The conflict ultimately restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity after nearly 30 years of occupation.

A key turning point of the war was the liberation of Shusha on November 8, a city of immense cultural and strategic significance. Known as the "crown of Karabakh," Shusha’s natural defences made it nearly impregnable, requiring Azerbaijani forces to navigate treacherous terrain and engage in intense close combat. The victory was achieved without extensive heavy weaponry to minimize collateral damage.

The war concluded with a ceasefire agreement on November 10, 2020, signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia, formally ending hostilities. This agreement led to the peaceful return of Azerbaijani territories, including Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin, as well as the development of new transport links to connect Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan's western regions.

While Azerbaijan extended an offer of peace, Armenia continued to provoke tensions. In response, Azerbaijan launched rapid anti-terror operations, dismantling Armenian separatist forces and securing full sovereignty over the region, ensuring the dissolution of the separatist regime in Karabakh.

By Tamilla Hasanova