08.11.2026 12:20
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev delivered striking messages on the occasion of Victory Day ahead of President Erdoğan's visit to Karabakh. Addressing Armenia, Aliyev said, "We must be so strong that no one will think of harming Azerbaijan from now on." Touching on reconstruction efforts in Karabakh, Aliyev announced that 97,000 people had returned to the region.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev visited the Victory Monument in Hankendi on the 6th anniversary of the Karabakh Victory and laid a wreath. Congratulating the people of Azerbaijan and its Armed Forces on Victory Day, Aliyev made statements on many issues, from the 44-day Second Karabakh War to the clashes with Armenia, and from reconstruction work in the region to his country's future.
"NO ONE SHOULD THINK OF HARMING AZERBAIJAN"
Emphasizing Azerbaijan's independence and defense power in his speech, Aliyev stated that his country should not face similar threats in the future. Saying that the people of Azerbaijan made great sacrifices during the war, Aliyev expressed that the country should become even stronger in the period ahead.
Aliyev drew attention with the words, "We must be so strong that no one thinks of harming Azerbaijan from now on." Stating that Azerbaijan is a politically, economically and militarily independent state, Aliyev emphasized that his country has the power to determine its own policies.
HARSH WORDS FOR ARMENIA
Referring to the Second Karabakh War, Aliyev recalled that the Azerbaijani army retook more than 300 settlements during the 44-day war. Saying that the capture of Shusha on November 8, 2020 determined the outcome of the war, Aliyev stated that Armenia then signed the ceasefire agreement on the night of November 9-10.
Aliyev also recalled the military operation conducted in Karabakh on September 20, 2023, arguing that Armenia was forced to surrender once again. Stating that they did not step back in the face of threats against Azerbaijan during the war, Aliyev said that his country had restored its territorial integrity.
"WAR CRIMINALS RECEIVED THE PUNISHMENT THEY DESERVED"
Also providing information about the Victory Museum to be established in Hankendi, Aliyev announced that the museum would serve in the former administrative building. Reminding that the building in question was used by the Armenian administration in the past, Aliyev used harsh statements regarding persons convicted of war crimes.
Aliyev said, "War criminals received the punishment they deserved," and made assessments regarding Azerbaijan's post-war policy.
97,000 PEOPLE RETURNED TO KARABAKH
Aliyev also touched upon the reconstruction work carried out in Karabakh. Stating that the cities and villages in the region were being rebuilt, Aliyev expressed that returns to the former settlement areas continue. According to the information provided by Aliyev, 97,000 people live, study or work in the areas where Azerbaijan has re-established control.
Stating that preparations for the opening of a new Victory Museum in Hankendi have reached the final stage, Aliyev cited the reconstruction of Karabakh as one of his country's priority goals.
ERDOĞAN AND ALİYEV WILL MEET
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan departed from Istanbul for Karabakh today to participate in Azerbaijan's Victory Day celebrations. Within the scope of the visit, Erdoğan is planned to hold a bilateral meeting with Ilham Aliyev, and the two leaders are planned to attend the Victory Day parade together.
The meeting is expected to address Turkey-Azerbaijan relations as well as regional and global developments.