Azerbaijani President Aliyev lights Novruz fire in Khankendi: 'We have avenged the innocent victims of Khojaly'

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation after lighting the Novruz holiday fire in the city of Khankendi in Karabakh, which was liberated from Armenian occupation.

Congratulating the Azerbaijani people on the Novruz holiday, Aliyev stated that they are celebrating Novruz in Karabakh for the fourth time following the historic victory.

"WE SHOWED GREAT HEROISM"

Expressing that Azerbaijan fully ensured its sovereignty as a result of the counter-terrorism operation conducted last year, Aliyev said, “We showed great heroism during the Second Karabakh War and as a result of the counter-terrorism operation. May God have mercy on all our martyrs. As a result of the dedication, professionalism, and heroism of our martyrs, brave soldiers, and officers, we are building today, and life is returning to these lands.

"THE RESULTS OF THE SECOND KARABAKH WAR DID NOT TEACH ARMENIA A LESSON"

Unfortunately, the results of the Second Karabakh War did not teach Armenia a lesson. I mentioned this in my Novruz holiday greetings last year, and I expressed my regret that their defeat in the Second Karabakh War did not serve as a lesson to them. If it had been a lesson, there would have been no need for a counter-terrorism operation. In the three years that have passed since the Second Karabakh War, Armenia did not make the right decision; it wanted to keep its illegal armed groups on our lands forever and wanted to keep the so-called ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’ alive. All of this is completely contrary to international law and, most importantly, contrary to the will of the Azerbaijani people” he said.

"THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY WAY"

Stating that Azerbaijan liberated most of its occupied territories on the battlefield as a result of the Second Karabakh War, Aliyev said, “However, during the occupation, signals were sent to us repeatedly from many capitals that this conflict had no military solution. We proved that every kind of conflict has a military solution. If an occupying state is illegally occupying the lands of another country and does not want to leave those lands voluntarily, the only way is the military way.

"WE HAVE RESTORED OUR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY"

We have restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty within the framework of international law. The successful counter-terrorism operation carried out six months ago is a celebration of international law and the indomitable spirit of the Azerbaijani people. We have shown once again that even if any power stands behind Armenia, we will not turn back from our path, we will achieve what we want, and we have succeeded” he stated.

"WE HAVE AVENGED THE INNOCENT VICTIMS OF KHOJALY"

Emphasizing that they showed the power of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces to the whole world during the Second Karabakh War and the counter-terrorism operation, Aliyev said, “Most importantly, a young generation has grown up that will be a source of endless pride for our people and has shown the greatness of the Azerbaijani people to the whole world. Our youth were raised with a spirit of patriotism and a national spirit. Three years ago, they were ready to die for the liberation of our land, and they would have died. I once again wish God's mercy upon all our martyrs. On the battlefield, we have avenged all our martyrs and the innocent victims of Khojaly, and we are proud of this. We have restored our territorial integrity, sovereignty, international law, and national dignity, and today we live and build as a free people, and we will live on these lands forever” he stated.

"THIS SQUARE AND THIS BUILDING WERE THE NEST OF SEPARATISTS"

Stating that for many years, the central square of Khankendi and the administrative building in the center were used by Armenian separatists to prepare plans against Azerbaijan, Aliyev said, “For many years, this square and this building were the nest of separatists. The separatists, financed and armed by Armenia, were actually part of the Armenian army. It was in this square that ugly plans were prepared against our people. The order to carry out the Khojaly genocide was given in this building. Today, we are standing in this square. I would like to inform my dear people that I have named this square Victory Square, and it will be Victory Square from now on. Today, we live with our heads held high in liberated Karabakh. This year, our citizens will return to Khankendi and other cities such as Khojaly, Shusha, Jabrayil, and Kalbajar, and to many villages,” he said.

"OTHERWISE, THEY WILL REGRET IT"

Expressing his great happiness to congratulate the Azerbaijani people on the holiday in Khankendi, Aliyev said, "We all live with pride after the Second Karabakh War. We are all proud that we restored justice, liberated our lands from occupiers, and showed our strength, and from now on, everyone must take us into account; otherwise, they will regret it. I once again congratulate my dear nation on the upcoming holiday with my most heartfelt feelings, and I wish the Azerbaijani people health and new successes. Karabakh is Azerbaijan” he stated.

An official holiday has been declared in Azerbaijan between March 20-26 due to the Novruz holiday.