September 27 – A day forever etched in the history of Azerbaijan

How quickly time flies… It has been five years since Azerbaijan launched its war of liberation in response to the enemy’s next provocation. September 27, 2020 – is a date that will forever remain in the memory of our people as the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War that ended with the Great Victory.

I remember well what all of Azerbaijan was living through at that time. In the first days of the war, each of us had great faith and hope, along with excitement and anxiety. People all over the country were waiting for news from the front, wholeheartedly supporting the army, trying to help as much as they could. Warm clothes were being made in cities and villages, young people flocked to military mobilization departments, and many of those who wanted to go to the front voluntarily were being turned back. The Ministry of Defense even had to appeal to the people to stop sending food, clothing, and other necessary items to the front – there was no need for this, since our state provided the army with everything it needed.

However, the determination of our people was invaluable. It is difficult to describe this unity in words. In those days, there was no difference between young and old, city dweller and peasant in Azerbaijan, regardless of the nationality, everyone’s thoughts and feelings were directed towards one goal: to protect the Motherland, to liberate its occupied lands so that future generations could live without carrying this heavy burden.

And our army justified this trust. Under the wise leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, our soldiers and officers, showing excellent preparation and determination, brought Victory closer day by day, step by step, meter by meter. Each liberated city, each village cleared of the enemy became a symbol not only of military power, but also of the unshakable spirit of the people.

Now, five years later, we remember those days with pride. We – the current generation – fulfilled our mission – restored justice, restored the territorial integrity of the country and showed the whole world that if the issue is the Motherland, the Azerbaijani people are ready to unite in a united front.

This Victory, in addition to restoring our rights, created a solid foundation for peace and stability in the region. And it clearly showed that any aggression against Azerbaijan is doomed to failure. We are building a future on the liberated lands, and this is the best answer to those who want to provoke us into eternal conflict.

We honor the memory of those who gave their lives for the liberation of our lands from occupation, those who dreamed of martyrdom and those who sacrificed their lives for the survival of others.

September 27 will always remain a day of courage, unity and self-confidence!

Azer Askerov