Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev celebrated the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War with a grand military parade in the capital city, Baku. During the event, Aliyev expressed gratitude to Türkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his unwavering support during the conflict.

According to TRTworld.com, Aliyev highlighted Erdogan’s immediate backing from the onset of the war, emphasizing that Erdogan’s declaration that “Azerbaijan is not alone” sent a significant message to the international community. Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani people will always remember this vital support.

Aliyev attributed Azerbaijan’s victory to three decades of efforts to reclaim its territories, during which the country built a robust economy, pursued an independent foreign policy, and developed a capable military. He pointed out these elements as pivotal in achieving success.

The Azerbaijani president also underscored the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, revealing that 60,000 people have now settled in the liberated regions. He firmly declared, “We have returned to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as rightful owners. The Azerbaijani flag will fly here forever. Karabakh is Azerbaijan.”

The parade featured participation from Turkish and Pakistani troops, showcasing the military unity between the three nations, as noted by Aliyev.

Much of the Karabakh region, under Armenian control for nearly thirty years, was reclaimed by Azerbaijan during a 44-day conflict in the fall of 2020. The war concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, paving the way for potential normalization with Yerevan.

On November 8, the Azerbaijani military liberated the city of Shusha, which was subsequently declared Victory Day by a presidential decree. Initially, Victory Day was set for November 10, marking the war’s end. However, it was rescheduled to avoid coinciding with the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s passing, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.