Azerbaijan marked the fifth anniversary of its victory in the Second Karabakh War with a grand military parade at Azadliq Square in Baku today.

The event, which commemorated the liberation of occupied territories and the restoration of national sovereignty, saw a distinguished gathering of leaders, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev expressed national pride, extending his congratulations to the Azerbaijani people. He celebrated the victory as a momentous achievement for the country, underlining the importance of solidarity during the 2020 conflict. Aliyev highlighted Türkiye’s unwavering support from the start of the war, noting that President Erdoğan’s public backing sent a powerful message to the world. He also spoke about the strengthening of Azerbaijan’s ties with Türkiye through the Shusha Declaration, which established a bilateral alliance.

President Aliyev reviewed the 44-day war, calling the liberation of Shusha the turning point that broke the backbone of the Armenian forces. He reminded the audience that Armenia’s capitulation on 9 November, 2020, restored Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and dignity.

Aliyev also highlighted the ongoing reconstruction in the liberated regions, with over 60,000 people already resettled, marking the success of the “Great Return” programme. In his closing remarks, the President reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabakh and East Zangezur, declaring that the Azerbaijani flag would forever fly over these lands.

Solidarity and Justice: Messages from Pakistan and Türkiye

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, also delivered a message of solidarity during the parade. Sharif praised Azerbaijan’s victory in Karabakh as a triumph for sovereignty and self-determination, declaring it a victory for all peoples fighting for justice. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for Azerbaijan throughout the conflict and beyond.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the enduring friendship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye. In his speech, Erdoğan recalled the words of Azerbaijani poet Məmməd Araz, reflecting on the deep-rooted sense of patriotism shared between the two nations. Erdoğan quoted the poet’s call for unity, with each word of Araz’s verse echoing the sentiment that the homeland — Vətən — is the rallying cry of all Azerbaijanis, living or fallen.

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