The historic Victory became a balm for the wounds I sustained in the First Karabakh War. Like my fellow soldiers, I suffered gunshot and shrapnel wounds. However, the most severe wound was the wound of the Homeland. This wound remained in our hearts for years. The longing for Karabakh lived with us as long as our lands remained under occupation.
The years following the First Karabakh War left deep scars on our memories. The memory of our martyrs, the lost lands, the people separated from their native lands, the unfulfilled dreams turned the Karabakh issue into an inseparable part of our lives. For a soldier, the hardest feeling is to live without seeing the freedom of their land. A bodily wound can heal. But for the wound of the Homeland to heal, the freedom of the Homeland’s land was necessary.
This long journey was accompanied by state-building and army-building. With the greatness of national leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan increased its economic and military capabilities and strengthened its international position. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was preserved as one of the main directions in the implemented policy. A strong army was created, the defense industry was developed, military capabilities were expanded, and Azerbaijan’s just position was consistently defended on the international stage.
The Patriotic War, which began on September 27, 2020, brought the long-awaited military Victory. The Azerbaijani Army showed great heroism on the battlefield. The war, led by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, was accompanied not only by military operations but also by a serious political and diplomatic struggle.
The interviews given by President Ilham Aliyev during the war days, his statements to international media outlets, and his negotiations with heads of state and government played a crucial role in conveying Azerbaijan’s position to the world community. Every success achieved on the battlefield further strengthened Azerbaijan’s position on the diplomatic front.
Within 44 days, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, and numerous settlements were liberated. The liberation of Shusha on November 8 marked one of the greatest pages of the Victory. With the heroism of our army, the solidarity of the people, and the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the occupation that lasted for nearly 30 years ended, and our territorial integrity was restored.
This Victory was not achieved in a single day. Behind it lay years of army-building, economic development, strengthening of defense capabilities, development of the defense industry, and diplomatic activities. This policy, implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, brought Azerbaijan to the war of 2020 as a stronger state.
The political aspect of the war was as important as the battlefield. President Ilham Aliyev’s defense of Azerbaijan’s legal and political position on international platforms, and his clear articulation of the consequences of the occupation and Azerbaijan’s stance in interviews with foreign media, constituted a significant aspect of the information warfare. Azerbaijan defended its rights both on the front lines and at the diplomatic table.
New tasks emerged after November 2020. After the restoration of our territorial integrity, the full assurance of state sovereignty throughout the territory became the main issue. The strengthening of our Armed Forces continued, strategic positions were brought under control, and border security was enhanced.
The anti-terrorist measures carried out on September 19-20, 2023, became the decisive phase of that process. As a result of the measures lasting 23 hours, state sovereignty was fully restored throughout the territory of Azerbaijan. This marked the completion of one of the most important pages of the long and arduous history that began after the First Karabakh War.
I know well the weight of the wound of the Homeland I sustained in the First Karabakh War. Behind this Victory lies the blood of our martyrs, the pain of our veterans, the hope preserved by our veterans for years, and the heroism of the Azerbaijani soldier.
President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to this great Victory is invaluable! The attention given to army-building over many years, the increase in Azerbaijan’s economic power, the expansion of defense capabilities, the strengthening of international relations, the consistent conduct of information and diplomatic struggle, and the political and military decisions made during the 44-day war constituted the main directions of the path to Victory.
Under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army liberated our lands. President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, pursued a consistent policy to protect the political and diplomatic consequences of the Victory, defend Azerbaijan’s position on the international stage, and fully restore our state sovereignty.
Today, the Azerbaijani flag waving in Karabakh is a living expression of a great history for us. That flag carries the memory of those martyred in the First Karabakh War, the pain of our veterans, the longing of our veterans, the heroism of the Azerbaijani soldier, and the trace of the Victory achieved under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.
The wound of the Homeland that we carried in our hearts for years found its answer in a free Karabakh. The pain left from the First Karabakh War was eased by the Victory of the 44-day Patriotic War, and the full restoration of our state sovereignty with the anti-terrorist measures of September 19-20, 2023, marked the final point of that historical journey. Karabakh is free. The Azerbaijani flag flies on its lands. This is the balm for the wound of the Homeland.
Səxavəddin Sadıqov,
Colonel in reserve,
Participant of the First Karabakh War