Azerbaijani First Vice-President Celebrates Fuzuli’s Liberation in Social Media Post

BAKU: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, commemorated the liberation of Fuzuli from Armenian occupation in a heartfelt Instagram post on October 18, 2020, marking a significant moment in the 44-day second Karabakh war. According to Trend News Agency, the Azerbaijani Army initiated a counter-offensive, dubbed the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in retaliation to provocations by Armenian forces along the frontline. This military campaign eventually led to the liberation of Azerbaijani territories, held under Armenian occupation for nearly three decades, and restored the nation's territorial integrity. On her official social media account, Vice-President Aliyeva expressed deep emotional ties to the regained territories, emphasizing the long-awaited return of Fuzuli city and several adjacent villages to Azerbaijani control. "Another victory of the Azerbaijani Army! The city of Fuzuli and several villages of the Fuzuli district are liberated from the occupation," Aliyeva w rote. She highlighted the profound longing of displaced citizens to return to their homeland, celebrating the military's success in reclaiming these lands. Aliyeva also extended her prayers for the health and well-being of the Azerbaijani military personnel and lauded the efforts of the army, the people, and the leadership of Azerbaijan. This public acknowledgment by a high-ranking official underscores the national sentiment towards the conflict and the significance of Fuzuli's liberation in the broader context of the second Karabakh war.