From Occupation to Victory

During the illegal occupation of its internationally recognized territories by Armenia, Azerbaijan witnessed the failure of international law. It faced injustice and an approach rooted in double standards within the OSCE, the United Nations, PACE, and a number of other international organizations. Nearly 30 years of peace negotiations produced no results, and the occupation was never brought to an end.

In 1993, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) that unequivocally supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and demanded the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories. The failure to implement these documents, however, exposed the weakness of UN mechanisms.

For many years, representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries engaged in what amounted to “tourist diplomacy,” making regular but fruitless visits to the region. Armenia occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, 700,000 people were driven from their lands, and 250,000 Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from Armenia. This process caused serious damage not only to cities and settlements but also to Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.

On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a successful counter-offensive in Karabakh. Over 44 days they destroyed the enemy army, and by November 9, five cities, four towns, and 286 villages had been liberated from occupation. The liberation of the city of Shusha by the Armed Forces decided the outcome of the war. Military operations were halted with the signing of the Trilateral Statement.

Over those 44 days, thanks to the courage and valor of our heroic servicemen, and at the cost of the blood and lives of our martyrs, the whole world witnessed Azerbaijan’s glorious victory. Through the heroism and professionalism of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Armenia’s army, military equipment, and manpower were destroyed, and Azerbaijan demonstrated its strength and might.

After the Patriotic War, a Military Trophies Park was established on the instructions of the Head of State to house the enemy military equipment, weapons, and ammunition seized by our Armed Forces in the liberated territories. To promote the unparalleled heroism shown by Azerbaijani soldiers in the Second Karabakh War and the magnificent historic Victory they achieved, and to immortalize the cherished memory of our martyrs, a Patriotic War Memorial Complex and a Victory Museum have been built in Baku.

Today, hospitals, schools, residential buildings, cultural facilities, museums, airports, railways, and tunnels are being built in our liberated cities and villages, and our mosques are being restored. In short, life is being returned to the liberated lands. More than 90,000 people have now resettled in Karabakh and East Zangezur.