On September 27, 2026, six years have passed since the outbreak of the 44-day Patriotic War
September 27 is a defining date that permanently split the history of modern Azerbaijan into "before" and "after". Six years ago, in the fall of 2020, a large-scale counter-offensive in response to border provocations escalated into the 44-day Patriotic War. It brought an end to three decades of occupation and restored the country's historical lands.
This date, designated as Remembrance Day by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev, symbolizes not only the start of the military operation but also an unprecedented national unity that brought the army and the home front together as one.
Chronicle of the Breakthrough: From Murovdağ to Khudaferin
From the very first hours of the operation on September 27, Azerbaijani units breached the enemy's deeply echeloned defensive lines. The key stages of territorial liberation unfolded rapidly:
* Initial Successes (September 27): Liberation of several villages in the Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts, and capturing strategic heights on Mount Murovdağ.
* Turning Points (Early October): Liberation of Sugovushan (October 3), Jabrayil (October 4), and Hadrut (October 9).
* Symbols of Unity (Mid-October): The Azerbaijani flag raised over Fuzuli (October 17) and the historic Khudaferin Bridge (October 18).
* Reaching the Borders (Late October): Liberation of Zangilan (October 20) and Gubadli (October 26).
The Shusha Operation: A Textbook Finale
The culmination of the 44-day campaign was the Shusha operation, unique in its military tactics. Special forces overcame extremely challenging mountainous and forested terrain, scaling the sheer cliffs of Shusha to enter the city and catch the enemy completely by surprise.
The liberation of the cultural capital, announced by the President on November 8, completely paralyzed the enemy's will to resist. By November 10, a trilateral statement was signed, finalizing the capitulation and ensuring the bloodless return of the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts.
The total outcome of the counter-offensive included 5 cities, 4 towns, and 286 villages liberated by military force, alongside three vast districts returned through diplomacy. September 27 remains etched in the national memory as the crucial first step toward the Great Victory, achieved through the ultimate sacrifice of Azerbaijan's finest sons.
