The 24-hour anti-terror measures were remembered not only for the might of our army but also for the principled position of President Ilham Aliyev. In his various speeches, the President repeatedly noted that the Karabakh issue could not be a subject of discussion, that this matter must be resolved within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and that our lands would never be conceded to anyone. As a result of this position, Azerbaijan demonstrated its strength to the world, to Armenian power centers, and to the forces supporting separatism through the 24-hour anti-terror measures. At the end of all this, that historic moment, which had been dreamed of and yearned for over the years, became a reality. The whole world watched the ceremony of raising the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi. The waving of our tricolor flag in Khankendi and our other historic cities became a symbol of the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
These thoughts were expressed by Member of the Milli Majlis Rashad Mahmudov. According to him, one of the important pages of the historic process that will never be forgotten was written on October 15, 2023. The President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, and Aghdara. The waving of our tricolor flag in Khankendi demonstrated the realization of the dream our people had waited for many years. On November 8, a military parade dedicated to the Victory in the Patriotic War was held in Khankendi. This parade was remembered as one of the historic events demonstrating Azerbaijan’s full sovereignty over Karabakh. The establishment of Karabakh University was one of the important steps in the construction phase of the Victory. The formation of higher education opportunities in Khankendi laid the foundation for a new stage of development aimed at the future of Karabakh. According to the relevant decree of the head of state, September 20 is solemnly celebrated every year as Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, and Aghdara Day. This honorable history will never be erased from memory as the day when the longing that lasted for more than 30 years ended, Azerbaijan’s sovereignty was fully restored in those territories, and a new stage of our people’s return to their historic lands began. Following the liberation, along with large-scale construction works, the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands, including Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, and Aghdara, began to be carried out rapidly. Thanks to the power of our country, our compatriots are enjoying a safe and comfortable life in their native lands, building their new lives in the homes they have longed for for years. This return is one of the clearest indicators of Azerbaijan’s will, sovereignty, and firm state presence in its native lands.
The deputy concluded by noting that the liberation of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Aghdara, and our other historic settlements from enemy occupation was achieved precisely through the decisive leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. His political will, professionalism, diplomatic skill, strategic approach based on military power, and pragmatic view of events ensured the writing of a page in Azerbaijan’s history that will never be erased. The name of this page is the heroic completion of the Karabakh victory and Azerbaijan stamping its mark on history as a victorious state.