According to sea-news.az today the Azerbaijani people celebrate one of their proudest state holidays—Armed Forces Day. 108 years have passed since the creation of the Azerbaijani Army, which serves as the security guarantor of the country’s entire strategic infrastructure, ranging from modern maritime logistics to the protection of land borders.
From the Republican Era to Independence
The foundation of the Azerbaijani Army was laid on June 26, 1918, by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). With that decree, the first regular military unit—the Separate Azerbaijan Corps—was established.
First Steps: On August 1, 1918, the Ministry of War was established, and Khosrov bey Sultanov was appointed as the first Minister of Defense.
First Military Parade: It was held in 1919 in Baku (in front of the present-day Museum Center). Although the Republican army, together with the Caucasian Islamic Army, liberated Baku from occupation, the Soviet occupation of 1920 left this process unfinished.
Establishment of the Holiday: Following the restoration of independence, pursuant to the Decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev dated May 22, 1998, June 26 was declared Armed Forces Day.
Power Tests of the Modern Army: From April to Günnüt
In recent years, large-scale allocations from the state budget to army building and modern military-technological equipment fundamentally transformed the combat capability of the Armed Forces. This strength manifested itself first in local operations:
April Clashes (2016): Through a swift counter-offensive, more than 2,000 hectares of land were liberated from occupation in the directions of Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Aghdara. These battles demonstrated the moral-psychological and technological superiority of our army.
Günnüt Victory (2018): As a result of a successful tactical operation conducted in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, more than 11,000 hectares of land and the Günnüt village were taken under control, securing advantageous positions along the state border.
Restoration of Historical Justice: The 44-Day Patriotic War
The Patriotic War, which began on September 27, 2020, and was conducted with epic heroism, was written in golden letters into the military history of Azerbaijan. Under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the 30-year occupation was brought to an end in just 44 days:
Victory Parade (December 10, 2020): Held at Baku’s Azadliq (Freedom) Square with the participation of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, the parade showcased the valor of our army and hundreds of military trophies captured from the enemy (T-72 tanks, OSA and KUB anti-aircraft missile complexes, etc.). A portion of these trophies is currently exhibited at the Military Trophies Park in Baku.
Full Sovereignty: The 23-Hour Anti-Terror Operation
The Azerbaijani Army put down the final exclamation mark on September 19, 2023. The anti-terror operation, launched to clear the remnants of separatism in the Karabakh economic region and restore the constitutional order, concluded with a total victory in less than 24 hours.
Result: The “gray zone” was abolished, the military infrastructure of the illegal junta was neutralized, and Azerbaijan’s state sovereignty was fully restored across the entire territory of the country.
Khankendi Parade: On October 15, 2023, our state flag was raised in Khankendi, Khojaly, Asgaran, and Aghdara. On November 8, a historic Victory Parade was held in the city of Khankendi.
Current Status: With its material-technical equipment, logistical mobility, subsea and land operational experience, as well as its high combat spirit, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are rightfully the strongest army in the South Caucasus today. The flag of Azerbaijan waves proudly today in Shusha, Khankendi, and Lachin—across all of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.
