November 8 marks the sixth anniversary of the historic victory in the Patriotic War — Victory Day.
Sea-news.az recalls that President Ilham Aliyev signed an Executive Order on December 2, 2020, titled “On the Establishment of Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
Under the initial decree, November 10 was designated as Victory Day to commemorate the unprecedented triumph achieved during the 44-day Patriotic War that began on September 27, 2020.
However, on December 3, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev amended the decree.
Considering that November 10 coincides with the commemoration day of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Türkiye, the President of Azerbaijan decided to adjust the date out of respect for the brotherly nation.
The amended order officially designated November 8 — the day Shusha was liberated — as Azerbaijan’s annual Victory Day.
During the 44-day “Iron Fist” military operation, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan liberated 5 cities, 4 settlements, and 286 villages from occupation.
The campaign resulted in the liberation of Jabrayil city and 90 surrounding villages; Fuzuli city and 53 villages; Zangilan city, the settlements of Mincivan, Aghband, Bartaz, and 52 villages; Hadrut settlement and 35 villages in Khojavend; Talish, Sugovushan, and Chayli villages in Tartar; Gubadli city and 41 villages; 9 villages in Khojaly; the fortress city of Shusha; 3 villages in Lachin; alongside strategic heights across the Aghdara, Murovdag, and Zangilan sectors.
On November 10, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed a trilateral statement declaring a complete ceasefire and cessation of all hostilities, which served as Armenia’s act of capitulation. Pursuant to the agreement, Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts were peacefully returned to Azerbaijan.
Five years later, on August 8, 2025, with the participation of the Presidents of Azerbaijan, the United States, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the formal text of the “Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia.”
The Patriotic War completely dismantled the occupying forces, ending decades of conflict. Significant military hardware captured from the battlefield is currently displayed at the Military Trophies Park in Baku.
During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan sacrificed 2,908 martyrs, with six servicemen reported missing in action.
