Azerbaijan Commemorates Kalbajar City Day, Marking Four Years Since Liberation
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan solemnly celebrates Kalbajar City Day on November 25, marking the fourth anniversary of the district’s liberation from Armenian occupation. This annual observance follows a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023.
The liberation of Kalbajar was a direct result of the political leadership and strategic military guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, alongside the Azerbaijani Army’s successful operations during the 44-day Patriotic War.
Under the trilateral agreement signed on November 10, 2020, by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Kalbajar district was initially scheduled for return on November 15, 2020. However, at Armenia’s request, Azerbaijan extended the deadline to November 25, demonstrating its humanitarian principles and accommodating a request mediated by Russia.
Kalbajar had been under Armenian occupation since April 2, 1993, resulting in significant human and cultural losses. During the occupation:
- 53,340 residents were displaced.
- 55 military personnel and 511 civilians were killed.
- 321 individuals were taken prisoner or reported missing.
- Thousands of residents suffered injuries.
Since the liberation, extensive restoration and reconstruction efforts have been underway in Kalbajar. New infrastructure projects, including road construction and essential services, aim to revive the district and restore it as a vibrant part of Azerbaijan’s national fabric.
Kalbajar City Day serves as a reminder of Azerbaijan’s resilience, honoring the sacrifices made during its fight for sovereignty and celebrating the ongoing efforts to rebuild and rejuvenate liberated territories.
