Today marks the anniversary of the liberation of the city of Gubadli from occupation.

Axar.az reports that following the counteroffensive launched by the Azerbaijani Army on September 27, 2020, the city of Gubadli was liberated from Armenian occupation on October 25, 2020, as a result of military operations.

During the Second Karabakh War, a crushing blow was dealt to enemy forces in Jabrayil District, east of Gubadli, and successful operations carried out within a short period in Zangilan District to the south enabled units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces to reach the administrative boundaries of Gubadli District.

On October 26, the head of state addressed the nation, announcing the weapons and military equipment destroyed or captured from the enemy during the Patriotic War, which had lasted nearly a month. He also stated that on October 25, the Azerbaijani Army had ended the occupation of Gubadli city and the villages of Padar, Afandilar, Yusifbayli, Chaytumas, Khanlig, Sariyataq and Mollaburhan in Gubadli District; Birinci Alibayli, Ikinci Alibayli, Raband and Yenikand in Zangilan District; and Govshudlu, Sofulu, Dag Mashanli, Kurdslar, Hovuslu and Chalabilar in Jabrayil District.

Fierce fighting took place for the liberation of Gubadli. Breaking the enemy’s resistance, the Azerbaijani Army forced its forces to retreat and inflicted a heavy defeat on them. A significant number of Armenian army personnel and military equipment were destroyed during the Gubadli operation.

The Medal “For the Liberation of Gubadli” has also been established in Azerbaijan. By an order of President Ilham Aliyev, military personnel who took part in the military operations to liberate Gubadli District and demonstrated personal bravery and courage were awarded the medal.

Under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev, October 25 was established as Gubadli City Day.

It should be recalled that Gubadli was occupied by the Armenian Armed Forces on August 31, 1993. During the occupation, Armenian forces destroyed the city of Gubadli and villages across the district, committing acts of vandalism against religious, historical and cultural monuments, cemeteries and the natural environment. The occupying forces also caused extensive environmental damage to Gubadli’s rich natural environment, flora and fauna, cutting down and burning forests and rare tree and plant species.