Baku: The Azerbaijani Army's counter-offensive, named "Iron Fist," initiated on September 27, 2020, has reported significant territorial gains and severe civilian casualties in Ganja due to ongoing conflicts with Armenian forces. The operation aims to reclaim territories under Armenian control for nearly three decades, and the latest developments were shared on the 21st day of the conflict, October 17, 2020. According to Trend News Agency, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced the liberation of the city of Fuzuli and several villages in the Fuzuli district, marking a significant milestone in the 44-day conflict known as the Second Karabakh War. The operation responded to what Azerbaijan describes as large-scale provocations by Armenian armed forces along the frontline. Further reports indicated that Armenian forces launched missile attacks on Ganja, Azerbaijan's second-largest city, resulting in 13 deaths and injuries to 52 civilians. The attacks also led to the complete destruction of 20 hou ses. In a related development, Azerbaijan's First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva condemned the attacks on Ganja, declaring the city's resilience on social media. On the battlefield, Azerbaijani forces have continued to advance, successfully eliminating key Armenian military personnel and destroying several pieces of military equipment, including aircraft, missile systems, and armored vehicles. This has reportedly caused disarray within the Armenian ranks, with some volunteers abandoning their positions. The Azerbaijani government also recognized individual contributions to the military effort, with President Aliyev awarding Hikmat Mirzayev, a notable figure in the conflict, the highest military rank of lieutenant general. The ongoing conflict has seen both significant military actions and heavy civilian casualties, highlighting the severe impact of this prolonged regional dispute.