BAKU: In a significant display of power and territorial control, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presided over a military parade held in the principal city of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday. This event took place just weeks after Azerbaijani forces recaptured the long-disputed region from Armenian separatists through a rapid and determined military offensive.
The president’s office unveiled images capturing Azerbaijani troops and a resounding military orchestra assembled in precise formation in the central square of Khankendi, historically known as Stepanakert among Armenians. The imagery presented Azerbaijani flags in the blue-red-green color scheme, proudly hoisted in front of a prominent Soviet-era building that previously served as the offices of Karabakh’s separatist leader. Atop this imposing edifice now stands the emblem of Azerbaijan, symbolizing the nation’s reasserted authority over the region.
Accompanying President Aliyev were First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who also holds the position of First Vice President in the tightly controlled Azerbaijani government, and the president’s son Heydar.
The history of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is marked by two wars, the most recent occurring in 2020, as well as earlier hostilities in the 1990s. However, the focal point of this parade was the celebration of the third anniversary of Azerbaijan’s resounding victory in a six-week war with Armenia, a conflict that witnessed the reclamation of vast territories by Baku. These areas had remained under Armenian control for a staggering three decades.
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The military offensive in September witnessed Baku’s campaign to retake the remaining portions of the region. Astonishingly, after less than a day of fighting, ethnic-Armenian separatist authorities agreed to lay down their arms and to reintegrate with Azerbaijan. The swift events that followed this accord saw the departure of a substantial part of the Armenian population from the region, more than 100,000 individuals. This exodus contributed to a significant refugee crisis within Armenia.
Despite the ongoing challenges in the region, including unresolved territorial disputes and significant issues, internationally mediated discussions aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia have struggled to yield a breakthrough. The parade symbolizes a key moment in the history of Nagorno-Karabakh and remains a defining chapter in the broader geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus.
