Today - September 20 - is the Day of the Cities of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, and Aghdara.

Axar.az reports that this day is celebrated in Azerbaijan for the second time.

According to the Order signed by President Ilham Aliyev on September 18, 2024, the Day of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, and Aghdara will be solemnly celebrated every year on September 20.

The establishment of this significant day is associated with the disarmament and withdrawal of the remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal armed groups from our territories. Thus, today it is two years since the cities of Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, and Aghdara were cleared of Armenian separatists.

On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev visited the city of Khankendi, Khojaly, Shusha, and Aghdara regions, visited the Askeran fortress, and raised the Azerbaijani flag there.

On that date, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev, speaking in Khankendi, said that today is a historic day: "We have worked tirelessly to strengthen our army. We have created such a strong army that today the Azerbaijani Armed Forces can fulfill any task with honor, and we have proven this on the battlefield. Three years ago, during the Patriotic War, we forced the enemy to sign an act of capitulation in just 44 days. At the same time, last month, the anti-terrorist operation that lasted just 23 hours showed our strength, and again the enemy raised the white flag and surrendered. We are rightly proud of our Armed Forces."