Today is the Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
It has been 108 years since the establishment of the Azerbaijani Army.
On June 26, 1918, by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan People's Republic, the first regular military unit - the Separate Corps - was established. At that time, the Ministry of Military Affairs and its leadership, represented by Samad bey Mehmandarov, Aliaga Shikhlinski, and other commanders, carried out important reforms in army building in Azerbaijan.
After Azerbaijan restored its state independence, the country faced a serious crisis in the military field. Lacking a regular army, the main task before Azerbaijan was to control the situation in the battles over Karabakh, which was extremely difficult to achieve. The army's material and technical supply was accompanied by problems.
However, gradually, to prevent defeats in the war, all the country's resources were mobilized for the national army building. The first serious steps were taken from volunteer battalions towards a regular army. Partial military conscription and call-up efforts were organized. The military parade held in Baku on October 9, 1992, was a step to increase confidence and interest in the army, as well as patriotic spirit.
The foundation of professional army building in the country was laid at the end of 1993. Illegal armed groups in Azerbaijan were disbanded, unified command was established, chaos was eliminated, and a regular army was formed. The visits of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Heydar Aliyev to the frontline zones were also an important stage in army building.
After the ceasefire with Armenia was achieved in May 1994, modern army building began to develop on a fundamental basis.
With the decree signed by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev on May 22, 1998, an important step was taken in restoring the traditions of succession in national army building, and June 26 was declared the Day of the Armed Forces.
Under the decrees and orders of President Ilham Aliyev, who successfully implements the great leader's strategic policy in army building, the process of creating a modern military-industrial complex and improving personnel training for the Armed Forces is successfully being carried out in the country.
On September 27, 2020, under the leadership of the Glorious Supreme Commander, the heroic Azerbaijani Army launched counteroffensive operations for the liberation of our occupied lands. As a result, victory over the enemy was achieved. Thus, the Second Karabakh War, which lasted 44 days, was inscribed in Azerbaijan’s history in golden letters as the Patriotic War. The courage, dedication, initiative, and determination shown by the Azerbaijani soldier on the battlefield, who fulfilled battle tasks and official duties with dignity, led to the liberation of our occupied lands and secured the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
On September 19, 2023, to ensure the provisions of the tripartite statement, to prevent the large-scale provocations carried out in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw the units of the Armenian armed forces from our territories, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the liberated territories, as well as civilian workers and servicemen involved in restoration and construction works, and to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, local anti-terrorist measures have been initiated in the region.
During the operations lasting slightly more than 23 hours, the front line and deep positions of the Armenian armed forces, long-term firing points, combat equipment, and military facilities were destroyed with the use of high-precision weapons. The enemy raised a white flag and surrendered. Thus, the constitutional order was restored throughout Azerbaijan’s territory.
For nearly 30 years, the Azerbaijani soldier has brought great victory to the people by liberating the lands under enemy occupation. This great victory, achieved jointly by the people, the state, and the army of Azerbaijan, is the result of years of reforms in army building. This victory won by Azerbaijan is the result of the successful policy, strong will, and determination of the Glorious Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev, who knows well what, how, and when to do.