Victory Day of Azerbaijan ! Beginning of a new era for Country and Region
Mohammad Ali Tipu
Victory Day Azerbaijan is being observed with solemn pride as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the end of the 44-day Patriotic War, a turning point that ended decades of occupation and began a new era for the country and the wider region.
The conflict that intensified after Armenia’s large-scale offensive on 27 September 2020 prompted Azerbaijan to act in self-defense under the UN Charter. The counter-offensive operation that followed culminated on 8 November 2020 when occupied territories were liberated and a long-standing national longing was answered.
Throughout the conflict civilians in cities such as Ganja, Barda and Tartar suffered from deliberate attacks, yet the perseverance of the Azerbaijani armed forces led to the liberation of strategic cities including Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and the symbolically important city of Shusha, along with more than 300 settlements. In a further development three districts—Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin—were returned to Azerbaijani control without a single shot fired and without loss of life, contributing to an overall recovery of around 700 settlements.
The restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been presented domestically as the implementation of longstanding international demands, notably the UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993. In September 2023 Azerbaijan conducted operations in the Karabakh region to end the presence of illegal armed forces and to reestablish full sovereignty over all its territories.
Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic and moral support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been highlighted throughout these developments, reflecting close brotherly ties between the two countries and reinforcing Pakistan’s principled stance in international fora during the Patriotic War.
After the historic victory, large-scale reconstruction and restoration projects were launched across Karabakh and East Zangezur, enabling thousands of displaced people to begin returning home. Diplomatic momentum continued with a Joint Declaration signed on 8 August 2025 in Washington, witnessed by the United States, and the initialing of a peace agreement that offers new prospects for lasting stability and prosperity across the South Caucasus and beyond.
As the nation honours its martyrs and salutes its veterans, Azerbaijani society looks to sustained recovery, continued reconstruction and the consolidation of peace, hoping these achievements will bring enduring security and well-being to the country and the region.
