Today marks five years since the liberation of Shusha from occupation.

Axar.az reminds that the city was liberated from the enemy on November 8, 2020, by our brave army under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev.

Thus, the glorious tricolor flag of Azerbaijan was hoisted in the center of the city, which was cleared of Armenian invaders. On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev, in his address to the people from the Alley of Martyrs, announced the liberation of Shusha from occupation.

The Shusha battles were among the most successful operations that led to the Azerbaijani Army's victory in the Second Karabakh War. During the battles, the Azerbaijani Army advanced toward Shusha, overcoming dense forests, impassable ravines, and difficult mountain passes.

Thus, on November 7, our army climbed the rocks of the city and entered Shusha with light weapons and ammunition. The Special Forces of the Azerbaijani Army were divided into groups of one hundred people to approach the city from multiple directions. During the fighting, Armenia fired Iskander ballistic missiles at Shusha. The missile's target was Azerbaijani servicemen. Nevertheless, the victorious Azerbaijani Army quickly destroyed the Armenian troops and expelled them from the city.

In May 2021, by order of President Ilham Aliyev, Shusha was declared the cultural capital of Azerbaijan.

According to the order signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, Shusha City Day is solemnly celebrated on November 8 every year.

It should be noted that Shusha was occupied by the Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992. After the occupation, the city's 22 thousand inhabitants settled in various regions of Azerbaijan as internally displaced persons. During the occupation of Shusha, 195 people were killed and 165 were injured. In addition, 55 people were captured and taken hostage.