Azerbaijan Marks One Year Since Anti-Terror Operation in Karabakh Region

A year ago, a swift and decisive operation by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces marked a turning point in the long-standing Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On September 19, 2023, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a one-day anti-terror operation targeting illegal Armenian armed formations and their military infrastructure in the Karabakh (Garabagh) region of Azerbaijan. The operation was a response to escalating Armenian provocations and attacks on Azerbaijani positions, following fatal mine incidents in the Khojavand district that claimed the lives of Azerbaijani law enforcement officers and civilian workers.

The anti-terror operation was conducted to enforce the provisions of the trilateral statement signed in November 2020, following the 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The primary goals were to prevent large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and remove Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territory, and neutralize their military infrastructure.

The operation also aimed to ensure the safety of civilians returning to the liberated territories, protect those involved in restoration efforts, and safeguard Azerbaijani military personnel, while reestablishing Azerbaijan’s constitutional order. High-precision weapons were used to disable Armenian forces’ forward and deep positions, long-term firing points, and military equipment and installations. The entire operation was completed in just 23 hours and 43 minutes.

Azerbaijani forces advanced between 5 to 26 kilometers into the separatists' lines across 13 key directions – five in the north and eight in the south. Significant breakthroughs were made in critical areas such as Aghdara-Asgaran, Khankendi-Khojavand, Sugovushan-Vang, Tezekend-Syrkhavand, and Khankendi-Khojaly, enabling Azerbaijani forces to gain control of all major roads in these regions.

Following the successful completion of the operation on September 20, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation, announcing the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.

“I want to hope that the steps we have taken and the results of anti-terrorist measures will allow us the opportunity to finally remove the obstacle to the peace talks created by Armenia, whatever you call it, and this will create a new reality in the South Caucasus, will create peace, lasting peace,” President Aliyev stated.

“I must also say that those who despise us, those who despise our land, and those who set their sights on our lands should never forget that the Iron Fist is in place and will always be! No one can speak to us in the language of dictate and ultimatums! Let no one forget this! Don’t forget that Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” he added.

As a result of the anti-terror operation, the illegal Armenian military forces was entirely disarmed and removed from Azerbaijani territory. Furthermore, Azerbaijani special services and law enforcement agencies apprehended the key leaders of the illegal armed separatist regime in the Karabakh region. Azerbaijan’s state sovereignty and constitutional order were fully restored across the country.

On October 15, 2023, President Aliyev visited the city of Khankendi, as well as the Khojavand, Shusha, Khojaly, and Aghdara districts. During his visit, he raised the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi, Khojaly, Asgaran, Khojavand and Aghdara. On November 8 of the same year, a military parade was held in Khankendi to mark the third anniversary of the victory in the Second Karabakh War.

Azerbaijan is currently implementing large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions. As part of the Great Return program, thousands of former IDPs have already returned to their native lands. By 2026, around 140,000 former IDPs are expected to return to their homeland.

Recently, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order amending the previous decree establishing City Days in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. The amendment designates September 20 as the official Day of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, and Aghdara.

This new designation follows a series of other City Days: Lachin City Day on August 26, Jabrayil City Day on October 4, Fuzuli City Day on October 17, Zangilan City Day on October 20, Gubadli City Day on October 25, Shusha City Day on November 8, Aghdam City Day on November 20, and Kalbajar City Day on November 25.

These City Days commemorate the liberation of key regions of Azerbaijan, celebrating the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity.