Azerbaijan marks fifth anniversary of Karabakh victory with parade

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has presided over a military parade in Baku marking the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War. During the commemorative events, Aliyev emphasized that decades of strategic preparation, economic development, and military capacity building ultimately enabled Azerbaijan to reclaim territories that had been under Armenian occupation for nearly thirty years.

Reconstruction and Resettlement Progress

The Azerbaijani leader highlighted significant reconstruction achievements in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, noting that approximately 60,000 citizens have now returned to resettle in the liberated areas. President Aliyev firmly declared that "We have returned to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as rightful owners. The Azerbaijani flag will fly here forever. Karabakh is Azerbaijan," reinforcing the nation's sovereignty over the territories.

International Support and Military Cooperation

President Aliyev expressed particular gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their steadfast support during the 2020 conflict. He specifically recalled Erdogan's early declaration that "Azerbaijan is not alone" as a pivotal moment that demonstrated international solidarity. The military parade notably featured participation from Turkish and Pakistani troops, symbolizing the strategic military cooperation among the three nations.

Historical Context and Commemoration

The Victory Day celebration commemorates Azerbaijan's liberation of most Karabakh territories during the 44-day conflict in fall 2020, which concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement. The November 8 date specifically marks the liberation of Shusha city, with the original November 10 commemoration adjusted to avoid overlapping with the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's passing, reflecting the deep historical bonds between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.