August 5 Commemorates Day of the Azerbaijani Navy

Baku, The Gulf Observer: August 5 marks the Day of the Azerbaijani Navy, a significant occasion honoring the establishment and development of the country’s naval forces. The Azerbaijan Navy was originally founded in 1919 during the era of the Azerbaijan People’s Republic.

Following the British withdrawal from Baku in the summer of 1919, control of the city port and several warships were transferred to the Azerbaijani government. This transfer led to the formation of the Azerbaijan Caspian Navy, a crucial step in safeguarding the nation’s maritime borders.

By the end of 1919, the Azerbaijani military mission, led by General Ibrahim Agha Usubov, procured various naval assets from abroad, including six single-gun destroyers, twelve destroyers, six submarines, and a range of artillery and communication equipment. Admiral Islamov, a Turkish-born Russian naval officer, was invited to aid in establishing the national navy, and Azerbaijani captains were assigned to command key vessels.

However, the development of the navy faced setbacks due to the April invasion and subsequent Bolshevik takeover, which led to the disbandment of the Azerbaijani navy.

Following the dissolution of the USSR, Azerbaijan reinstated its naval forces. On April 7, 1992, the Headquarters of the Naval Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established, with 25% of the Caspian Navy and the Higher Naval School being allocated to Azerbaijan. On June 26, 1992, the national flag of Azerbaijan was raised on the guard ship “Bakili.”

The Azerbaijan State Maritime Academy was founded on July 15, 1996, based on the Baku Maritime School, marking a new era in Azerbaijani maritime education. August 5 was officially designated as Navy Day by a decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev in 1996, celebrating the ongoing contributions and heritage of the Azerbaijani Navy.