On this historical day
We are on the right path! Ours is the cause of justice! We will win! Karabakh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! Ilham Aliyev
Armenian armed forces committed large-scale provocations along the entire length of the front
Civilians and human settlements of Azerbaijan exposed to enemy fire
On September 27, at about 06:00, the armed forces of Armenia, committing large-scale provocations, have subjected to intensive shelling from large-caliber weapons, mortars, and artillery mounts of various calibers of the positions of the Azerbaijan Army along the entire length of the front and our human settlements located in the frontline zone.
There are killed and wounded among the civilian population as a result of the intensive shelling by the enemy of the Gapanly village of Terter region, the Chiragli and Orta Gervend villages of Aghdam region, the Alkhanli and Shukurbeyli villages of Fizuli region, and the Jojug Marjanli village of Jabrayil region. Serious damage was caused to civilian infrastructure.
Information on casualties and wounded among the civilian population and military personnel is being specified.
The foremost units of the Azerbaijan Army are taking retaliatory measures to suppress this provocation of the enemy and to ensure the safety of the civilian population living near the line of confrontation of the troops.
The firing points and the combat activities of the armed forces of Armenia are suppressed
The firing points and the combat activities of the armed forces of Armenia are suppressed with the interaction of foremost military units, missile and artillery units, frontline aviation, armored vehicles, and other branches of troops deployed in the tensest Tartar-Aghdam and Fizuli-Jabrayil directions of the front.
Currently, the Azerbaijan Army is taking retaliatory actions and our troops fully control the operational situation.
The mass media and the public will be additionally informed about the events taking place in the frontline zone.
We urge users of social networks, electronic media, and other mass media representatives not to use unofficial, unspecified, and biased information in order to avoid confusion among the population and to ensure the safety of our servicemen.
Armenian armed forces today early in the morning started to attack Azerbaijani villages and civilians along the line of contact. Casualties among civilians and militaries are reported. All responsibility lies on the political-military leadership of Armenia
#StopArmenianaggression
With the aim of repulsing Armenia’s yet another aggression after Tovuz incident in the border area of two countries Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are taking counter measures to ensure security and safety of Azerbaijani civilians. #StopArmenianAggression
Attacking civilians is war crime and crime against humanity. Armenia employes same tactic to target in deliberate and indiscriminate manner to attack Azerbaijani civilians along the line of contact.
Azerbaijan Army’s Troops launched a counter-offensive operation along the entire front
The command staff of the Azerbaijan Army decided to launch a counter-offensive operation of our troops along the entire front to suppress the combat activity of the armed forces of Armenia and ensure the safety of the civilian population.
The military personnel and tank units, with the support of units of the Rocket and Artillery Troops, frontline aviation, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), determining a large number of manpower (military personnel), military facilities, and military equipment of the Armenian armed forces located in the forward line and in the depths of the enemy’s defense, have destroyed them.
According to the information received, 12 OSA anti-aircraft missile systems of the Armenian air defense units were destroyed in various directions. A combat helicopter of the Air Force of Azerbaijan was shot down in the Terter direction, the crew members are alive.
The blitz counter-offensive operation of our troops continues.
Armenia’s new attack against Azerbaijan is an act of aggression and use of force. It is yet another provocation of Armenia since Tovuz incident. Political-military leadership of Armenia bears full responsibility.
Ministry of Defense denies
Information spread by Armenia about allegedly shooting down of 3 tanks, 2 helicopters and 3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the Azerbaijan Army is false and disinformation.
We pointed out that, our units have complete advantage over the enemy in the front.
https://mod.gov.az/en/news/ministry-of-defense-denies-32320.html
Azerbaijan Army does not shell civilians
As reported earlier, the command staff of the Azerbaijan Army decided to launch a counter-offensive operation along the entire front to suppress the combat activity of the armed forces of Armenia and ensure the safety of the civilian population.
We officially announce that the Azerbaijan Army does not target the civilian population, civilian facilities, and civilian infrastructure. Unlike the occupying country Armenia, during military operations, Azerbaijan complies with the requirements of the regulation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
The Armenian army deliberately places its firing points inside and near human settlements.
The Azerbaijan Army makes calls for the civilian population in the occupied territories to stay away from military facilities.
https://mod.gov.az/en/news/azerbaijan-army-does-not-shell-civilians-32324.html
Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has made an appeal to the people of Azerbaijan.
Appeal of President Ilham Aliyev to the people
– Armenian armed forced fired on our settlements, as well as our military positions, from several directions this morning, using various types of weaponry, including heavy artillery.
As a result of the enemy fire, there are casualties among the civilian population and our servicemen. Some people have been wounded. May God rest our martyrs in peace! Their blood will not remain unavenged. The Azerbaijani Army is currently firing on the enemy’s military positions, and as a result of these strikes, many units of the enemy’s military equipment have been destroyed. This is another manifestation of Armenian fascism.
Armenia’s military provocations against Azerbaijan have become regular of late. In July, our servicemen and a civilian were killed as a result of artillery fire in the direction of Tovuz on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. It is no secret that the first fire, including artillery fire, was opened by Armenia, and the first victims were Azerbaijani servicemen. Azerbaijan gave a fitting rebuff to the enemy and they could not move an inch forward. The enemy was stopped and the territorial integrity of our country was protected. As a result of the crushing blows, the Armenian side was forced to accept a bitter defeat. I have said this and I want to say again that if we had wanted, we could have conducted military battles on the territory of Armenia. However, we do not have military targets in Armenia, and this being the case, a ceasefire was introduced a few days later.
What objectives did Armenia pursue by committing this provocation? First of all, Armenia plans to occupy Azerbaijani lands and does not conceal that. Their military-political leadership tried to threaten Azerbaijan with a new occupation, a new policy of occupation for new territories – this is the policy of Armenia’s military-political leadership today. Another reason is to distract the population from the very serious social and economic problems in Armenia and portray Azerbaijan as an enemy. Yet another reason is that Armenia is doing everything possible to disrupt the negotiations, and I can say that it has succeeded in doing that. It is as a result of Armenia’s hypocritical, unconstructive and false policy that the negotiations have actually stopped and this provocation is aimed at these goals. These are the main goals for them.
In July, Azerbaijan gave a fitting response to the enemy, preserved its territorial integrity and once again showed that anyone speaking to Azerbaijan in the language of threats will regret doing that. Unfortunately, this was not a lesson for them. However, after the July provocation, I said that this bitter defeat by Armenia should be a lesson for them.
In August, Armenia launched yet another military provocation. This time a sabotage group was sent to Azerbaijan. The head of the sabotage group was detained by the Azerbaijani military and is currently giving evidence. His statements clearly show that this sabotage group came to Azerbaijan with a plan to commit acts of terror. Another military provocation against the civilian population and our servicemen was committed by Armenia today and, as I said, they have received their punishment this time again and will continue to receive it.
Armenia’s provocations are also reflected in the statements made by the Armenian leadership. A year ago, the Armenian prime minister said in the occupied territories, in Khankandi, that “Karabakh is Armenia, full stop.” First of all, it is a lie, Karabakh is Azerbaijan, and I have repeatedly expressed my views on this issue. Karabakh is Azerbaijan, an exclamation mark! Secondly, this provocative statement was in fact a major blow to the negotiations. If the prime minister of Armenia says that “Karabakh is Armenia”, then what kind of talks can there be?! At the same time, the Armenian leadership has been repeatedly stating for two years that Azerbaijan should negotiate not with Armenia, but with the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh republic”. This is a big blow to the negotiation process. First of all, Azerbaijan will never negotiate with the puppet junta regime. Secondly, attempts to change the format of talks show once again that Armenia’s main goal is to disrupt the talks and maintain the status quo. However, the heads of state of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable, which means that the occupation must end.
Armenia’s provocations against us do not end at that. Recently, the “swearing-in” ceremony of the head of the so-called criminal junta was held in Shusha, an ancient city of our ancient Azerbaijan. Isn’t this a provocation? This is an insult to us. They thought that we would put up with this insult. They are deliberately provoking us and they will see the bitter consequences.
Recently, a decision was made by the so-called parliament of the “Nagorno-Karabakh republic” to settle people in the ancient Azerbaijani city of Shusha. This is another provocation. Recently, the prime minister of Armenia announced that “voluntary” military units would be established, bringing together tens of thousands of people. Why is this necessary? Who will they fight against? This was part of the preparations for today’s provocation against Azerbaijan. I have said several times, including from the UN platform recently, that Armenia is preparing for a new war, and Armenia must and will be stopped.
Armenia is pursuing a policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories. Several Lebanese Armenian families have recently been resettled to Nagorno-Karabakh, including Shusha, an ancient city in Azerbaijan. This is a war crime. This is completely contrary to the Geneva Convention. Armenia will be held accountable for this crime. This is another provocation against us. Settlement in the occupied territories is a crime, and this policy has been pursued by Armenia for many years. The fact is that the country’s population is declining due to the difficult economic, political and social situation in Armenia. Armenia is experiencing a demographic crisis and does not have the human resources to deploy its people in the occupied territories. That is why they hope for Armenians living abroad. This policy is currently underway. At the same time, according to the accurate information we have, Armenia has carried out illegal settlement in some of our occupied territories. The names of our districts and villages are being changed. The historical heritage of Azerbaijanis is being erased. Our historical monuments are being destroyed. Azerbaijani mosques are being destroyed and desecrated. Armenia keeps cows and pigs in our mosques. This is the greatest insult to the entire Muslim world. The graves of our ancestors are being destroyed by tractors. It is fascists, vandals and savages who have done this.
At the same time, the recent military exercises in the occupied territories should be considered another provocation by Armenia. Because these exercises have one purpose: to attack Azerbaijan, to fire on the civilian population and to occupy new lands! All the facts I have mentioned show again that Armenia and its ugly policies are the source of danger in the region.
Azerbaijan has not resorted to any provocation. Azerbaijan simply defends its interests, supports its position and pursues its policy openly. We have repeatedly stated that Nagorno-Karabakh is historical and ancient land of Azerbaijan, and this is true. When the prime minister of Armenia says that “Karabakh is Armenia”, it is a lie. When I say that “Karabakh is Azerbaijan”, it is true. The whole world recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. Historical justice is on our side. Because it is our native land, our ancestral land. International law is on our side. All international organizations recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. All countries recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Decisions and resolutions adopted within international organizations explicitly state that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan. Four UN Security Council resolutions call for an immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories. These resolutions have been on paper for almost 30 years. Negotiations within the Minsk Group have been going on for almost 30 years and, as a result, Armenia has paralyzed the negotiations by regularly committing military provocations. Besides the United Nations, all other leading international organizations support our rightful position. The Non-Aligned Movement is the second largest international institution after the United Nations, and it is currently chaired by Azerbaijan. It has adopted a fair resolution on the conflict. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has adopted fair resolutions. The decisions of the OSCE and the resolutions of the European Parliament support our position. Our position is based on international law and justice. We are fighting on our own land. Today, the Azerbaijani Army is dealing crushing blows to the enemy on Azerbaijani soil. Today, the Azerbaijani Army protects the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on its territory. What are Armenian soldiers doing in our lands?! What is the Armenian army doing in our lands?! It is no secret that 90 percent of the personnel in the “Nagorno-Karabakh army” are Armenian citizens. Armenia is an occupying state, this occupation must and will end.
We are on the right path! Ours is the cause of justice! We will win! Karabakh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!
https://en.president.az/articles/40968
The Azerbaijan Army’s counter-offensive operation continues successfully
Units of the Azerbaijan Army are fighting for important heights located under the occupation of Armenian troops in the Terter-Aghdam, Fizuli-Jabrayil directions, and in the direction of Murovdag Mountain.
Rocket and artillery troops and aviation assets strike at enemy command posts, destroying a large number of maneuvering forces, military equipment, and military facilities.
Fierce battles are taking place along the entire length of the front.
Ilham Aliyev chaired a Security Council meeting
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has chaired a meeting of the Security Council and delivered remarks
Remarks by the President Ilham Aliyev
As you know, early this morning, Armenian armed forces committed yet another military provocation against Azerbaijan. We have losses as a result of this provocation, both among the civilian population and servicemen. It again shows that Armenia’s policy of aggression against Azerbaijan continues, and this policy shows the fascist essence of Armenia to the whole world.
As soon as I received the information in the morning, I contacted the Minister of Defense and the heads of other relevant agencies, gave appropriate instructions, and, based on those instructions, Azerbaijan’s Army launched a large-scale counter-offensive.
I must say that Armenia’s military provocation was pre-planned. They have been preparing for this provocation for a long time, and the intelligence we have shows that Armenia intends to start a new war against us. Last week, I repeatedly talked about this issue in my TV interview and from the UN platform. I said that the aggressor state must be stopped. They are preparing for a new war.
I addressed the people of Azerbaijan today. In my address, I gave detailed information about the reasons for this provocation and the sordid steps Armenia has been taking in recently. I have shared my views, so I do not want to repeat them. I want to reiterate that the military attack on us early this morning was a pre-planned military provocation. Our positions were fired on from various directions using different weaponry, including heavy artillery. Simultaneously, our settlements and villages were fired upon. As I said, we have losses among the civilian population. It once again shows the ugly face of Armenian fascism. Because such atrocities against the civilian population can only be attributed to fascist states, and this is not the first time – the events in Tovuz and others. Armenian savages committed the Khojaly genocide against the civilian population.
This time too, Armenia’s primary target is our residential areas. By opening fire, they want to create panic among the Azerbaijani public, among the Azerbaijan citizens, in the villages and towns along the frontline. This morning, I received information from all frontline regions. I can say with full confidence that the citizens of Azerbaijan are showing courage. They are standing their ground and are ready to support our army and state at any time, and they are doing that.
Azerbaijan’s army is currently conducting a counter-offensive in response to military provocation. I can say that the operation has been successful. The Presidential Administration and the Ministry of Defense have been instructed to regularly keep the population informed about the events. I can say that thanks to a successful counter-offensive, a severe blow has been inflicted upon the enemy’s military manpower and military equipment. Several occupied Azerbaijani settlements have been liberated. I congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion!
I am confident that our successful counter-offensive will end the occupation! It will put an end to injustice! It will end the occupation that has lasted for nearly 30 years! The people of Azerbaijan want to live on their lands – Azerbaijani citizens longed for their homeland. People who were forcibly driven out of their ancestral lands by Armenians – by Armenia’s leadership want to return to their native lands even though savages have already destroyed their homes. Look at the ruins of Aghdam. Look at the ruins of Fizuli. Look at the state of our mosques in the occupied territories, the state of our cemeteries. Armenian executioners committed all this, and we are right in our position.
Our struggle is a struggle for justice, and the citizens of Azerbaijan fully support the government today. We always feel this support. A citizen of Azerbaijan is with Azerbaijan’s army, and I turn to our compatriots who have not been able to return to their native lands for almost 30 years and say that we will do our best to ensure your return to native lands.
I warned Armenia. After the events in Tovuz, I warned them several times that they would regret it if they did not give up their sordid deeds. We taught them a lesson in 2016, in 2018, in July of this year. But it did not seem to be a lesson for them. This time we are teaching them another lesson and will continue to do that. Today, Azerbaijan’s glorious army is conducting a counter-offensive with great success, and this operation continues.
I must also say that morale is high across all our military units and formations. At the same time, the number of volunteers enlisted in our army has reached tens of thousands. It shows the commitment of our people to their state.
The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is our historical mission. I have said this many times and I want to reiterate today that we must resolve this issue to satisfy the people of Azerbaijan. We must resolve this so that historical justice can be restored. We must do so to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
In different countries, I have said that we do not need an incomplete solution to this issue – to this conflict. We are on our lands; we have claimed no lands of other countries. But we will not give our lands to anyone either. We will never allow for the creation of a second so-called Armenian state on Azerbaijani soil. We will never allow that, and today’s events are showing that again.
Nagorno-Karabakh is our ancient and historical land. I have repeatedly spoken at various international events on the history and the past of Nagorno-Karabakh. I have shared the historical truth with the international community. Thanks to our focused and tireless effort, the world has a broad picture of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today. But in the first years of the conflict, this was not the case. In the early years of the conflict, Armenians of the world portrayed Azerbaijan as an aggressor.
Unfortunately, those who were in the leadership of Azerbaijan at the time could not speak out against this propaganda. Azerbaijan was in such a difficult situation: our lands were being lost, but the world thought that Azerbaijan was an aggressor. The cause of Karabakh lands’ loss is the Popular Front Party and the Musavat Party of Azerbaijan. It was during their time that our lands fell under occupation. Due to their treacherous and incompetent actions, we lost those lands. I always said that the loss has been temporary and that we must return to these lands.
The sale of Shusha took place only as a result of a power struggle at that time. The occupation of Kalbajar and Lachin is the direct responsibility of the Popular Front government of Azerbaijan. After this occupation, the next phase became inevitable because Lachin, Kalbajar and Shusha created a geographical link between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. Thus, the supply of weapons to those regions, to Nagorno-Karabakh, and then the supply of other material resources became easier.
Today, we are wiping out the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and the Musavat Party’s incompetent actions, this stain on Azerbaijan. Today we are regaining our lands. In 2016, part of Aghdara, Fizuli and Jabrayil districts were liberated from the occupiers. Today, in 2020, I want to emphasize that several of our settlements were liberated from the occupiers; several strategic heights came under the control of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s powerful army is backed by strong political will.
Army building has always been the top priority of my presidency. Both the military and the Azerbaijani people know this. I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary for our army. We have created a powerful and strong-willed army. Our armed forces meet modern standards and carry out combat missions with dignity, conscience and courage. Today, our various armed units are involved in the counter-offensive, and the counter-offensive is going well under the single command. There is full coordination between all branches of armed forces. I am confident that this counter-offensive will continue successfully.
By providing this information to the Azerbaijani people, I want to say once again that we are on the righteous path. We are defending ourselves. We do not lay claim to anyone else’s lands. Azerbaijan’s armed forces have no objectives on anyone else’s lands, in Armenia’s territory. But we will defend ourselves on our soil and rid our lands of occupiers.
Now Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov has the floor.
Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said:
Dear President, Mr. Commander-in-Chief. Let me report that a few minutes to 06:00 hours, Armenia’s armed forces bombarded the villages of Fizuli, Jabrayil, Terter and Aghdam districts. There were casualties and wounded among the civilian population. The frontline of the vanguard military units was also fired upon. Simultaneously, a concentration of the enemy’s armed forces in the direction of Aghdam, Fizuli and Jabrayil district was registered – as evidence of an imminent attack. First of all, it was reported to you and, guided by the operational situation, Azerbaijan’s army launched a counter-offensive. Following the counter-offensive, the enemy’s frontline was breached. I have now been given additional information that seven villages have been liberated. Should I go on and mention their names here?
President Ilham Aliyev: Go ahead.
Minister Zakir Hasanov: Garakhanbayli, Nuzgar, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Boyuk Marjanli, Kand Horadiz and Garvand villages liberated. Our army is conducting a successful counter-offensive in other directions, and the enemy is retreating with heavy losses. I want to emphasize that Azerbaijan’s army strikes are carried out both on the frontline and deep within the enemy territory. As you mentioned, most modern weapons are being used, and we do not encounter much resistance from the enemy. The enemy is entirely retreating. Minister of Defense Colonel-General Hasanov, reporting.
President Ilham Aliyev: Clear! We will hold the rest of the Security Council behind closed doors. I am confident that the citizens of Azerbaijan will understand this decision. Many of the issues to be discussed are military secrets. But I want to say again that the people of Azerbaijan are regularly informed by both the Presidential Administration and the Ministry of Defense. We will share operational information with the citizens of Azerbaijan.
I congratulate the people of Azerbaijan and our army on their first successes. Long live the Azerbaijani Army! Long live Azerbaijan!
https://en.president.az/articles/40969
The Azerbaijan Army has liberated a number of occupied villages and important high grounds
As a result of the successful counter-attack operation carried out by the troops and units of the Azerbaijan Army, a number of occupied villages, strategic heights and advantageous areas were liberated.
As a result of the military operation in the Fizuli-Jabrayil direction, Garakhanbeyli, Gervend, kend Horadiz, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Boyuk Marjanli and Nuzgar villages of Fizuli region, which have been under enemy occupation for many years, were liberated.
Enemy posts located in the direction of Aghdara region and on the heights of Murov Mount range were destroyed and a number of important high grounds were taken under control.
The combat operations continue.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President Ilham Aliyev
On September 27, President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to the head of state and the people of Azerbaijan over the death of Azerbaijani civilians and servicemen as a result of the Armenian military provocation today, and wished Allah’s mercy upon them. Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that today, Turkey has as always stood by Azerbaijan.
Expressing his gratitude for the condolences, the head of state hailed the continued support of the Turkish President on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
President Ilham Aliyev informed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the course of events on the frontline today due to Armenia’s military provocation against Azerbaijan.
The heads of state expressed their confidence that relations between friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan and Turkey would continue to develop successfully.
The enemy’s military equipment was destroyed – VIDEO
As a result of the counter-offensive operation of the units of the Azerbaijan Army, a large number of military personnel and military equipment of the Armenian troops were destroyed in various directions of the front.
The video shows the moment of destruction of enemy’s military equipment.
https://mod.gov.az/en/news/the-enemy-039-s-military-equipment-was-destroyed-video-32364.html
The command of the military unit of Armenia was offered to surrender
In order not to completely destroy the garrison of the Armenian armed forces in the human settlement of Agdere and decrease the number of combat casualties, the Azerbaijan Military Command offered Armenian command in this direction not to resist, to lay down their weapons and surrender.
The Azerbaijan Army Command also states that the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Geneva Convention and the norms of International humanitarian law.
If there is resistance, every single armed person will be neutralized by us.
The enemy is fleeing the battlefield leaving Combat vehicles behind – VIDEO
As a result of the counter-attack operation of the Azerbaijan Army units, enemy troops retreated and left a large number of armored vehicles on the battlefield.
This video shows destroyed and abandoned Arminian combat vehicles.
An important high ground in the Murovdag Mountain range was liberated
As a result of the military operation carried out by our troops in the direction of Goranboy, the Murov peak in the Murov mountain range was liberated.
As a result of the operation, the Vardenis-Agdara military highway, which connects the occupied territories of Azerbaijan with Armenia, was taken under control visually, as well as under fire control of firearms and artillery means. The gained military advantage allows hinder the transportation of additional military cargo from Armenia to the occupied Kalbajar and Aghdere.
The combat operations continue.
Armenian army ammunition depot was destroyed – VIDEO
As a result of the counter-attack operation conducted by our troops, a weapon and ammunition depot belonging to the Armenian army was destroyed.
Explosions in the depot as a result of our army’s strikes are obviously seen in the video.
https://mod.gov.az/en/news/armenian-army-ammunition-depot-was-destroyed-video-32388.html