Lachin’s Day of Historical Victory

August 26 is a special day in the history of Azerbaijan and holds immense significance for our nation in the context of military and diplomatic struggle. Today is Lachin’s Day, but it is not just a day for the people of Lachin—our brave compatriots who have yearned for their homeland and historical territories for nearly 30 years. Lachin, where every stone and rock was a trench, fell under occupation in May 1992. During the Second Karabakh War, brave sons from all regions of Azerbaijan wrote an epic of heroism to liberate Lachin. During the combat operations of the Second Karabakh War, 8,397 of our military personnel were awarded the "For the Liberation of Lachin" medal by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. This fact vividly demonstrates that ending the occupation of Lachin was one of the main objectives of the Second Karabakh War. It is remarkably noteworthy that both the majority of Lachin's territories and the district center were liberated without a single shot being fired, thanks to the continuation of our military strategy, which led us to this Historic Victory, with the same determination and skill in the diplomatic arena.

Lachin Returned to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Returned to Lachin!

It is well-known that Lachin, located on the border with Armenia, was of special importance to the Armenians in their goal of severing Karabakh from Azerbaijan. With the occupation of Lachin following that of Shusha, the separatist stronghold of Khankendi was geographically connected to Armenia. This not only posed a threat of further occupation of other Azerbaijani regions but also supported the aggression policy from Yerevan needed to maintain the illegitimate "Nagorno-Karabakh" junta. Therefore, Lachin, as an extremely strategic region, became a key item on the agenda of the negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group for the resolution of the conflict.

From the early days of the occupation, the term “Lachin Corridor” became a critical concept, representing the transit route connecting Armenia with Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. For both parties and mediators, this corridor was considered even more crucial than the "status" issue. Both parties and mediators understood very well that the Lachin Corridor was essential for Armenia’s continued military, political, economic, and other control over Karabakh. Therefore, the realization of Azerbaijan's sovereign rights over the Lachin Corridor meant that one of the strongest levers determining the outcome of the conflict would pass into the hands of official Baku. Consequently, extensive negotiations took place regarding the status and use of the Lachin Corridor during and after the conflict. Diplomats discussed various positions on the role and importance of controlling the Lachin Corridor in resolving the conflict, but the final decision was made by Azerbaijan, which defeated the enemy on all fronts with a perfect military and political plan.

On November 10, 2020, the Tripartite Statement, regarded as Armenia's act of capitulation, was signed. According to this statement, most of Lachin’s territories were handed over to Azerbaijan without a fight. This was one of the most significant outcomes of the Second Karabakh War. In this process, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani diplomacy, functioning with clock-like precision, demonstrated its strong will on an international level and proved to be a decisive and rightful state in the Lachin Corridor disputes. The city of Lachin, as well as the villages of Zabukh and Sus located on the “corridor,” came under our control. The Khankendi-Gorus route was altered, and an Azerbaijani Border Checkpoint was installed along the banks of the Hakari River. The aggressor Yerevan’s reach to Khankendi was cut off. The trapped separatists were unable to resist for long.

It was precisely due to Ilham Aliyev's determination as the National Leader that the Azerbaijani flag was raised in Khankendi!

Indeed, the liberation of Lachin is both a symbolic and strategic part of our historical victory in the Karabakh war. The liberation of the city was a crucial step in restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and achieving the strategic goals of the war. The liberation of Lachin not only marked a military success but also served as a testament to Azerbaijan's independent and strong position internationally, reflecting diplomatic and political achievements. This factor also contributed to the formation of new political and economic realities in the post-war period.

The liberation of Lachin has led to significant reconstruction efforts in Karabakh, including in the district itself. The city’s restoration, the implementation of infrastructure projects, and initiatives for socio-economic development have created a new appeal and aura for Lachin within Azerbaijani society.

Indeed, liberated Lachin has opened a new era in Azerbaijan’s cultural life, becoming a symbol of peace, prosperity, and development in the region. The ongoing efforts to rebuild the area, develop tourism, revitalize the local economy, and preserve the region’s natural and historical wealth make Lachin an invaluable asset for Azerbaijan.

Currently, anyone who sees this place reaffirms Theodore Roosevelt’s wisdom: "Great successes cannot be achieved without great struggles!"

Lachin’s Day is a DAY OF GREAT STRUGGLE!

Taleh ŞAHSUVARLI