Azerbaijan President Aliyev lit the Nowruz fire in Hankendi

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev lit the Nowruz holiday fire, considered a herald of spring, in Hankendi, which was liberated from Armenian occupation in Karabakh.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation by lighting the Nowruz holiday fire in Hankendi, Karabakh, which was liberated from Armenian occupation. Congratulating the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of Nowruz, Aliyev noted that they were celebrating Nowruz in Karabakh for the fourth time after the historic victory.

“The consequences of the Second Karabakh War did not teach Armenia a lesson”
Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan fully established its sovereignty as a result of the counterterrorism operation conducted last year, saying, “We showed great heroism during the Second Karabakh War and the counterterrorism operation. May Allah bless all our martyrs. Thanks to the sacrifice, professionalism, and heroism of our martyrs, brave soldiers, and officers, we are building today and reviving life on these lands. Unfortunately, the consequences of the Second Karabakh War did not teach Armenia a lesson. I mentioned this in my congratulations for last year’s Nowruz holiday, expressing my regret that their defeat in the Second Karabakh War did not teach them a lesson. If it had, there would have been no need for the counterterrorism operation. After the Second Karabakh War, Armenia did not make the right decision over the past three years; it wanted to keep its illegal armed groups in our territories forever and maintain the so-called ‘Republic of Artsakh.’ All this is completely contrary to international law and, most importantly, contrary to the will of the Azerbaijani people,” he said.

“We have shown that we will not deviate from our path”
Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan reclaimed most of its occupied territories in the war-torn area of Karabakh as a result of the Second Karabakh War, saying, “However, during the occupation, we received repeated signals from many capitals that there was no military solution to this conflict. We have proven that every conflict has a military solution. If an occupying state illegally occupies the territory of another country and does not want to voluntarily relinquish it, the only way is the military. We have restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty within the framework of international law. The successful counterterrorism operation six months ago is a celebration of international law and the indomitable spirit of the Azerbaijani people. Even if any power stands behind Armenia, we have shown once again that we will not deviate from our path, that we will achieve what we want, and we have succeeded,” he said.

“We will live in these lands forever”
Highlighting the strength of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the Second Karabakh War and the counterterrorism operation to the whole world, Aliyev said, “Most importantly, a young generation has emerged that will be an endless source of pride for our people, demonstrating the greatness of the Azerbaijani people to the whole world. Our young people have been raised with a sense of patriotism, with a national spirit. Three years ago, they were ready to die and were going to die for the liberation of our land. Once again, I extend my condolences to all our martyrs. We have avenged all our martyrs in the war zone and the innocent victims of Khojaly, and we are proud of it. We have restored our territorial integrity, sovereignty, international law, and national honor, and today we live as a free people, building and will live forever in these lands,” he said.

Aliyev named the central square of Hankendi “Victory Square”
Aliyev said that for many years, the central square and the administrative building in Hankendi were used by Armenian separatists to prepare plans against Azerbaijan, stating, “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. Ugly plans against our people were being prepared in this square. The order for the Khojaly genocide was given in this building. Today, we are standing in this square. I want to inform my dear people that I have named this square Victory Square, and from now on, it will be Victory Square. Today, we proudly live in liberated Karabakh. This year, our citizens will return to Hankendi and other cities such as Khojaly, Shusha, Jabrayil, Kelbajar, and many villages,” he said.

Aliyev expressed great pleasure in congratulating the Azerbaijani people on the holiday of Nowruz, saying, “We are living with pride after the Second Karabakh War. We are proud of restoring justice, liberating our territories from occupiers, and demonstrating our power, and from now on, everyone should take us into account; otherwise, they will regret it. Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my dear nation on the upcoming holiday, and I wish the Azerbaijani people health and new successes. Karabakh is Azerbaijan,” he said.

Nowruz Holiday was declared an official holiday in Azerbaijan from March 20 to 26 due to the Nowruz holiday.